Solo Class North Sails Super Series Update
by Will Loy 26 Jul 2015 22:49 BST
26 July 2015
Andy Tunnicliffe winning the Pusinelli Trophy © Will Loy
We are well into the season and after six events there are 5 sailors who have qualified for the prize draw, to be held at the End of Season Championship. There are a mass of prizes to be won and include:
Milanes Foils Rudder Blade
Phil Milanes is a legend in the sailing industry. His successes include finishing fifth in the Olympic trials in the Flying Dutchman Class in 1974 and also winning the Endeavour Trophy the same year in an Enterprise. Phil then spent ten great years racing his 505 at the highest level, gaining the runner up spot four times. His heroes include Mankin the Finn Gold medallist and the great Rodney Patterson. Phil worked in the timber trade and with his love of sailing and the need for good wooden foils, he was soon knocking out good fast foils for FDs and 505s. Milanes Foils have been building fast proven foils since 1976 and soon one lucky Super Series qualifier will win one!
Winder Boats Rudder Stock
Does anybody not know Dave Winder or at least the Winder name. They are possibly the most successful builder of fast wooden and FRP dinghies in the UK. Guy Winder laid the foundations and instilled a level of detail and perfection that Dave and the team of over enthusiastic craftsmen have continued to follow for decades. Dave is also a top Solo and Merlin Rocket sailor, so no excuse for not having the best possible kit. One lucky Super Series qualifier will win a new Winder Boats Rudder Stock. 4 results to qualify!
Rooster Sailing Kit
Steve Cockerill has set a new benchmark with a level of quality and functionality in his racing kit that his competitors can only dream of attaining. The philosophy he and the team at Rooster Sails live by has been developed through years of on-the-water experience, racing at the top level in some of the most demanding dinghies. There is an array of Rooster kit up for grabs. Just do 4 Super Series events to qualify!.
C2 Marine
Mike Commander at C2 Marine has kindly donated 2 of the world class Carbon NiteSticks. These practically indestructible tiller extensions are the ‘go to’ carbon accessory if you want light positive control. If you qualify for the Super Series you have two chances to win one!
Creation Covers
Chris Gould at Creation Covers has donated an undercover, essential to keep your hull protected from the harsh elements when towing. Chris can cater for all your boat protection needs, just give him a call.
Superspar
The Superspar B3 boom is widely accepted as one of the best in the market place, if you qualify you have the chance to win a fully rigged Solo boom. Superspar are also developing the sealed M7. The team are always available to assist you in getting to the front of the fleet.
Ronstan
Widely known as an equipment and hardware specialist in the dinghy world, Ronstan also produce fine quality timepieces. They have kindly donated two of their watches to the Super Series draw so you will have no excuse for missing the start.
Noble Marine
One of the UK's favourite insurance companies, Noble are the National Solo Class Association sponsor and continue to support UK dinghy sailing in most of the major classes. We have a £50 discount voucher for one lucky winner.
North Sails
Saving the best until last, North Sails, possibly the world number one sail maker, have kindly donated a brand new North SK1 Solo mainsail to one lucky winner. Charlie Cumbley, the reigning national Champion has been incredibly supportive of the Solo class and matched with North Sails cutting edge technology, this is a superb 1st prize.
The Story So Far:
Act 1 - Winter Championship
56 entries, Chew Valley
Pete Mitchell took the title from Andy Davis on countback with Olly Wells in third in February. Light winds but a very enjoyable event at a lovely venue. The class will return in 2016.
Act 2 - Spring Championship
62 entries, Draycote Water
Andy Davis won the event from surprise package Tom Lonsdale and Charlie Cumbley third.
Plenty of breeze and a biting cold wind at this fine midland location.
Act 3 - Rooster Southern Area Championship
45 entries, Bough Beech
Martin Frary took the title from Pete Mitchell and Ben McGrane at this hotbed of Solo sailing in the south of England.
Act 4 - Welsh Sea Championship
32 entries, Abersoch
Andy Tunnicliffe won this inaugural title from Andy Davis and Jonathon Swain. The fleet love this venue and look forward to returning to it next year.
Act 5 - Scottish Championship
East Lothian, Cancelled
There were sad faces as the wind gods blew and racing was cancelled. The good news is that the fleet return for the National and Nation’s cup in just one weeks time!
Act 6 - The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy
48 entries, Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy
Andy Tunnicliffe was a worthy winner from Andy Wilde and Chris Brown but all the competitors were winners as Weymouth delivered fabulous conditions for the two days. Put it on your bucket list.
Act 7 - Goacher Sails Northern Championship
33 entries, Hollingworth Lake
Innes Armstrong won the Northern title at this picturesque venue. The fleet were stretched on day one with force 3-5 winds and were relieved when day two dawned calmer.
Do You Qualify?
So with three qualifying events for the North Sails Super Series left to do there are currently 5 qualifiers, a further 12 with one more event needed and 36 with 2 events needed, to be included in the End of Season draw. There are also a further 40 who need to do all of the last events. You need to have completed 4 events in order to be included in the draw and you NEED to be at the EOS prizegiving to collect your prize if chosen. In the event that your name is drawn and you are not there then the name will be re-drawn.
You do not need to be a superstar to win one of the fantastic prizes on offer but you need to be an NSCA member and travel to some events!
Thanks to all our sponsors but especially North Sails.
Things to Do
- Act 8 – Selden National Championship and Nation’s Cup, East Lothian, North Berwick, Aug 1-7
- Act 9 – Harken Inland Championship, Grafham, Sep 12-13
- Act 10 – EOS, Oxford S.C. Oct 24
Good luck.