Solo National Championships at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 5

All set for a big showdown finish

The wind had swung round to the west for day five of the Solo Nationals 2014. After an initial two hour postponement ashore while the sea breeze filled in the fleet got out on the water for the first of two races, race nine of the series. With plenty of sun and a lovely 12 knots the fleet got away without the need for a black flag on a windward leeward course. With the breeze up there was plenty of surfing and once again the fleet enjoyed fantastic racing with place changes aplenty. Steve Cockerill got the better of the fleet for an elegant win over series leader Charlie Cumbley with Pete Mitchell third, Andy Davis fourth and Ross Harvey fifth. Andy Tunnicliffe, who went into the day in joint third place, had a disappointing race to finish tenth.

Race ten proved a little more difficult to start and it took three attempts and the black flag to get them fleet off the line and amongst the eight boats sent home early was Pete Mitchell. The wind had dropped off to around 7 knots making for a very different challenge. This time it was Charlie Cumbley who once again took line honours with Steve Cockerill second, Ross Harvey third, Andy Tunnicliffe fourth and Andy Davis fifth.

With up to two races remaining to sail on tomorrow's final day Charlie Cumbley is leading the fleet by seven points from Steve Cockerill, who also leads the Veteran division. Andy Davis is five further points adrift in third on twenty three points and then its Pete Mitchell on twenty seven and Andy Tunnicliffe on twenty nine. In the Junior Division Niall Houston leads Alex Corby. First lady remains Vanda Jowett and first Grand Master is John Webster.

The forecast indicates light southerly winds for Friday's final two races.

Results after Day 5: (nine races, 2 discards)

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