There were 61 entries for the 13th Starcross Steamer, 150-minute pursuit race, held on the river Exe on 26 January 2003, in warm, windy conditions. Seventeen different classes including three Mirrors, four RS 800s, 13 thirteen Lasers and five Merlin Rockets took part.

First away were the Mirrors, with Megan Baker initially leading from Olly Turner, although Olly went on to lead the race later. The course featured a gybe mark in what turned out to be the windiest part of the course, with up to six boats capsized here at one point. One of the Tasars also broke its mast. The RS 800s were last away, with Paul Bartlett and Mark Phillips showing their usual skill at the front of the group.

Two RS800s were blown in on their first reach, with Russell Gibbs demonstrating some impressive acrobatics off the trapeze. The asymmetric boats showed impressive speed on the long downwind leg to the Bank mark, revelling in the fresh north-westerly wind. But it was the 420 of Mary Rook and Hannah Burke from Lyme Regis that appeared at the front of the fleet, taking the lead from Olly Turner in the Mirror and the Europe of Chris Gill. But chasing hard was the RS800 of Paul Bartlett , the RS 400s of Paul Kelley and Tom Halmead from Bristol Corinthian, and the Hornet of last year’s winner, Richard Garry with David Gough crewing.

At the finish, Paul Bartlett in the RS800 took the finish from Mary Rook in the 420, Paul Kelley and Tom Halmead both claimed third place in their RS400s, followed by the Hornet of Richard Garry and the Merlin of Mike Mackie. First Laser was Harrison Ashton from the home club, and furthest travelled was Martin Harrison from Royal Victoria.

Overall Results

1st RS800, 1019, Paul Bartlett and Mark Philips Starcross

2nd 420, 49103, Mary Rook and Hannah Burke, Lyme Regis

3rd RS400, 1110, Paul Kelley and Chris Wride, Starcross

4th RS400, 835, Tom Halmead and Alex Taylor, Bristol Corinthian

5th Hornet, 2154, Richard Garry and David Gough Starcross

6th Merlin Rocket, 3471, C Mackie and Ian Moreton, Royal Dart

1st Laser Radial: 175671, Harrison Ashton, Starcross YC

Furthest travelled: International Moth 4043, Martin Harrison, Royal Victoria YC