Solo Northern Travellers at Port Dinorwic Sailing Club

Solos at Port Dinorwic © Lindsay Price

Solos at Port Dinorwic © Lindsay Price

17 Solos were treated to a steady force four and sunshine when they assembled at Port Dinorwic S.C. (Clwb Hwylio Y Felinheli) for a NSCA Northern travellers’ series event.

The first race was sailed on an inverted P course. With wind over the last of the ebb tide competitors were able to pick their course to windward. Shon Stockwell led from Andy Fox for most of the race. However Fox managed to get ahead on the final lap to take first position with Stockwell second. For third there was a hard fought battle between Ian Hopwood and Steve Owen. Hopwood held the position for most of the first lap, Owen manage to get in front of Hopwood during lap 2 however, Hopwood thought back to regain third by the finish.

The second race saw the same contenders at the front of the fleet. This time Stockwell sailed a flawless race to take first place. Fox was always in contention for second however Hopwood after not such a good first lap picked up several places on the final lap to take second pushing Fox into third.

After a break for lunch the competitors started the afternoons racing with Stockwell in first, Fox second and Hopwood third. Over the lunch break the tide had turned to give wind with tide however as the tide had not had chance to build too much there was still a choice between beating up the edge or playing the shifts up the middle.

For race 3 the conditions proved favorable for Ian Harridge who sailed a consistent race to take first place. Second and third positions were fought out between Nick Hornsby, John Mackie and Hopwood with Hopwood finally tasking second from Mackie in third. Hopes were dashed for lunchtime leader Stockwell due to a capsize resulting in a thirteenth.

Race 4 saw John Mackie, a recent convert to Solo sailing from the Fin, showing his ability to adapt to the now class and lead around the course and take a convincing win. Hopwood again demonstrated his ability to move through the fleet during the latter part of a race to pick up several places on the final lap and claim second position from Harridge in third.

At the end of the day Hopwood’s consistency counting 3 seconds gave him first place overall. Harridge took second and Fox third.

Overall Results:

1st 5168, Ian Hopwood (Nantwich & Boarder County S.C.)
2nd 5147, Ian Harridge (Nantwich)
3rd 5213, Andrew Fox (Crosby S.C.)
4th 4477, John Mackie (Port Dinorwic S.C.)
5th 4948, Shon Stockwell (Port Dinorwic S.C.)
6th 5087, Steve Owen (Port Dinorwic S.C.)

1st Veteran, 5087, Steve Owen (Port Dinorwic S.C.)
1st Grand Master, 4888, Mike Hardy (Port Dinorwic S.C.)
1st Lady, 5022, Kath Broatch (Port Dinorwic S.C.)