Solo Open at Blackwater Sailing Club

Blackwater Solo Open © Zoe Nelson

Blackwater Solo Open © Zoe Nelson

Champagne conditions greeted the 13 Solos from 9 different clubs who attended the inaugural Blackwater SC Solo Open.

On Saturday F4 South westerly winds combined with 27 degrees, there was were smiles all round one day 1 after two races on big courses in the Blackwater Estuary. Race 1 got underway on a high springs flooding tide and saw all the competitors line shy to avoid being over and all got away with first time. Simon Maskell and Vince Horey were rounded clear ahead at the windward mark closely followed by the rest of the fleet, the run and then mile long reach to the leeward mark and Robert Laurie and Mark Maskell had moved into 3rd and 4th place closely followed by Ian Smith in 5th. Vince Horey made no mistakes on the last beat, in synch with the shifts and extended his lead to win, Simon Maskell 2nd, Robert Laurie 3rd and Ian Smith coming in 4th.

Race 2 was turned round promptly and this time it was Horey and the Maskell brothers first round the windward mark, these three broke clear from the rest of the fleet on the run and reach out to the leeward mark. Vince Horey and Mark Maskell had a close fought race for the first beat, and run out in the estuary with Simon Maskell 3rd and John Ball 4th. Vince picked up more pressure on the left hand side of the beat leaving Mark to cover Simon and results for race 2 finished in that order.

On Sunday competitors were greeted with heavy rain and a light F1, but by start time at 2pm the sun had come out again, 24 degrees and wind picking up to F2-3. Another flooding tide and at the start less holding back by the fleet, Vince Horey was pushed out and had to do gybe round and re-start which proved costly in race 3. Mark Maskell led round the windward mark followed by Robert Laurie and Simon Maskell, the wind never swung far enough to give good beats on the course which gave little opportunity to recover positions. Mark Maskell extended his lead by being able to a sail straight line while the chasing packs were searching for clear air. Simon Maskell finished 2nd with Robert Laurie in 3rd.

The Open winner would all now come down to who won the final race. A course change for race 4, and with the breeze now building to a F3 Mark Maskell found more pressure on the right and led round the windward mark with Simon Maskell and Vince Horey in close contention. Rounding the run a few boat lengths in front, Mark Maskell picked up a gust on the reach and opened up a lead that was gradually ground down by his brother Simon and then a close fought race ensued to the end with Mark getting the better of brother Simon to win the event overall. Simon finished 2nd and Robert Laurie 3rd. Overall, Vince Horey finished second on count back and Simon Maskell finished 3rd.

Overall Results: