National Solo Spring Championship at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Solo Spring Championship at Draycote © Will Loy

Charlie Cumbley during the Solo Spring Championship at Draycote © Will Loy

Stuart Hydon during the Solo Spring Championship at Draycote © Will Loy

The Solo fleet converged on a bitterly cold Draycote Water Sailing Club for the Spring Championship on Saturday April 4. Some of the 62 competitors had moth balled their drysuits and were now regretting their choice of summer collections. All chattered as the PRO went through the race briefing and listened intently as the umpire William Jeffcoate explained what he would be looking out for on the water. The breeze was from the north east and at 15mph but forecast to drop as the sailors complexions faded.

The National Solo has strength in depth and with new faces and new Solos' adding to the mix, we were set for a good days racing.

Race 1

On the water and the start of race 1 was recalled, a large bunch at the committee end a little over-eager. On the re-start and it was clear that the left side was favoured, but going too far left meant you over-stood and finding a gap at the top mark was as rare as a Chris Brown round at the bar. Charlie Cumbley judged the lane in perfectly and led from Tom Lonsdale, taking time off from his OK/Merlin sailing to rock up and show us how to sail. Andy Davis was in third and hunting down the current national Champion. Among the chasing pack were Dave Mitchell, Ian Hopwood and local hero Richard Pye. I say local hero but in truth, the wealth of talent at Draycote water and in the Midlands in general is as abundant as the goals conceded by Coventry this season. The breeze was dropping and the on-the-water judge was busily scanning for rule 42 offenders as the fleet completed the Olympic type course. There were minor offences and some turns to exonerate but generally the play was fair. Cumbley looked to have secured the bullet but Davis sneaked inside at the bottom mark and held for the short leg to the finish. Lonsdale held for third, proving that wooden Solos' are as good as ever and Dave Mitchell was fourth.

Race 2

The start is always a pivotal moment and to get it right would mean clear wind and tactical options, I had neither. The left was paying and those that nailed the pin end were in a happy place. Pete Mitchell, supposedly stitched up by his father in race 1 at the top mark, made no mistakes and took a well deserved win ahead of Davis and Cumbley. The young North sails employee is as hungry for race wins as Harry Kane is for premiership goals. There were gains and losses amongst the fleet as corner hitters rolled the dice, hero to zero and back was nothing unusual. Kevan Gibb, travelling from Largo bay in Scotland and sporting a prototype HD Kevlar sail was fourth and the miles covered by him and the other Scottish sailors should be congratulated.

Race 3

The black flag was in play and among those DSQ was race 2 winner Mitchell. Unlucky Pete, but if your not over then your not trying, and he was punching heavy. The course was a windward leeward and Davis took control and led from the off. The downwind was tricky as the fleet sucked what energy there was away from the leaders and by the leeward mark the lead had been reduced. Davis though has seen this all before and held his nerve to extend over the next lap to the finish. Mike Sims who was not having the best day was second in this race ahead of Dave Mitchell and Lonsdale. Cumbley had suffered from the big left-hander on the first leg and this would be his discard.

Race 4 Davis had it in the bag with a 1-2-1 but stayed on the water for some more 'fun'. The other positions were still undecided and as close as the promotion prospects for 5 or 6 of the football teams in the Championship. Lonsdale decided not to hang around and led from pillar to post in the dying breeze. Vince Horey took second ahead of Pete Mitchell with Jon Webster bagging fourth.

The fleet headed ashore after five hours on the water, hot showers and tea top of their agenda.

So Andy Davis in his Winder/HD powered Solo is the Spring Champion 2015 ahead of the surprise package of Tom Lonsdale in his 7 year old 'one off' Thresher wooden Solo and Charlie Cumbley in the works Sailboat/North 3DL. Mike Sims takes fourth in the Winder/P&B ahead of Richard Pye who was the model of consistency with all four results in the top ten.

Andy Davis wins the Solo Spring Championship at Draycote - photo © Will Loy

This event forms part of the North sails Super Series, generously sponsored by North sails, and Noble Marine and with additional sponsorship from Milanes Foils, Winder Boats, C2 marine, Rooster Sails, Creation Covers, Superspar and Ronstan.

Those who qualify will go into a draw, which will take place at the last event of the year, the EOS, held at Oxford S.C.

Many thanks to Draycote Water, the on and off water teams, William Jeffcoate and team for the judging/video and to Noble Marine who are the N.S.C.A. class sponsor.

Overall Results: