Rooster Sailing Midland Solo Open at Hollowell Sailing Club
by Stewart Elder 18 Apr 2016 15:53 BST
16 April 2016
The day started with rain, sleet and snow with the temperature hovering just above freezing. Twenty two hardy souls turned up to race including five locals. Unfortunately, one traveller had a problem with his boat and returned home.
By the time of the first race the weather had improved and the sun was trying to break through. the wind was around F3 from a northerly direction blowing straight down the lake, a good direction for Hollowell.
The first race got away to a clean start, after the first windward mark Oli Wells of Northampton S.C. gradually pulled out a big lead and was never challenged. After a close contest in the following pack Andy Ritchie from Hykeham S.C. came in second with Jarvis Simpson from Brightlingsea S. C. third.
The second race saw Oli Wells repeat his performance of the first one, again it was a closely fought battle with the rest of the pack with Mike Thomas from Notts. County S.C. second and Kev Hall of Northampton S.C. third.
In the third race Oli Wells couldn't repeat his previous performance, Veteran Tony Hanan from Chelmarsh S.C. took the lead for the first lap but was overhauled by Nigel Davies from Draycote Water S.C. who went on to win, Oli Wells took second place with Tony Hanan getting a credible third place.
After the poor weather at the start of the day it warmed up, the sun came out and the conditions for racing were good. The minor places were closely fought with only one-point difference each between the second and sixth places.
Overall Results:
1st Oli wells (Northampton S.C.)
2nd Nigel Davies (Draycote Water S.C.)
3rd Andy Ritchie (Hykeham S.C.)