Solo Northern Championship at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

This year Hollingworth Lake hosted the Northern Series Championship, sponsored by Goacher Sails and provided a wide variety of conditions for sailors to enjoy. Sunday's racing was for the Travellers Series (separate results shown) while others had joined to compete on Saturday only. The wide variety of conditions did not stop Innes Armstrong being dominant with 4 race wins out of 6 races.

In a foretaste of later races, the first started with a general recall, and hoisting of the black flag. With a wind strength of Force 3 to 4, with gusts up to 5, it was likely that there would be casualties on the track. Ian Hopwood led the fleet away from the start with a long port tack, closely followed by M Honnor as they rounded the windward mark. Planing conditions prevailed on the reaches and Hopwood held off the challenges. However, on the second lap, Hopwood capsized after the gybe and left Armstrong to take the lead which he held to the finish. Hopwood recovered well to overtake several boats and gain runner-up spot, with J Hopkins in third place. There was then a big gap in finishers behind.

The wind eased notably for the second race and shifted towards the north-west. Unfortunately for the 3 leading boats, including Hopwood, Hopkins and some others, the course was laid through a 'gate' after a leeward mark, which they missed, and were subsequently invited to retire. This gave the opportunity for Armstrong to take the lead again and be followed by local sailors, N Brook and C Massey in particular. These three held their places to the finish.

The third race was sailed back-to-back and this time anyone of several boats could be leading on the way to the first mark. Local sailor, M Brennan, sailing closer to the shore, had the starboard advantage into the windward mark and held the lead for much of the first lap until passed by Honnor, Hopkins and Hopwood. Armstrong suffered his worst result in 8th place.

It was a pleasure to sit outside and enjoy a barbecue after racing.

Sunday dawned with a lighter wind from the south-west and, inevitably, some bunching at the windward mark. Oliver Whitehead was able to get away onto the run but his lead was shortlived as Steve Denison (having joined for Sunday's racing only) gained the lead and sailed away into an unassailable position. The downwind legs depended on suitable 'streams' of wind and Brennan, with local awareness, on the final run gained second place on the shortened race. T Wright had his best result with a third place, while Honnor finiished fourth.

After a filling lunch, the final two races were sailed back-to-back under the black flag. Armstrong got away clear again, followed by A Hatley, Oliver Whitehead, Massey and Denison. While Hatley held his second place, Honnor climbed through to third, and Denison improved to fourth.

The wind freshened for the final race and Armstrong was again into the lead early. Massey was well placed but was unable to hold it. In the end, Honnor was through to runner-up ahead of Denison. So there was no doubt about the winner, with Honnor's relatively consistent results securing him second overall. Local sailors Massey and Oliver Whitehead were tied on points but Massey's best race result tilted it in his favour. Armstrong had shown ability to lead in both strong and light winds and deservedly won the event.

Overall Results: