Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik, Holland - Preview

Solo Nation's Cup action © Claar van der Does

With just two days until the Nation's Cup begins in the Netherlands, the UK fleet are double stacked and ready to go. Anyone travelling towards Dover on Thursday may well want to wave off the sailors as the armada of National Solos make the journey to the International sailing Centre, Medemblik.

This event has all the hallmarks of being an awesome regatta with a well balanced mix of an intense race program, 68+ sailors from Holland and the UK, and the legendary off water hospitality that the Dutch people provide every time we go there. The class is celebrating it's 60th Anniversary and the Dutch Solo Class Association are a fundamental reason for the longitivtiy and continued success of this humble little single hander. Historically the Dutch have provided the stiffest competition from the early seventies through to this day. Rob van Vianen took the "World" title as it was known then, in 1973, Plymouth, in an era when Alec Stone, John Conway Jones and Graham Tapper were leading the way. Rob also won the Turnball Trophy as first under 21. Ironically, the Turnball Trophy is a solid silver cigarette box, not very politically correct now but back in the sixties quite acceptable.

Fred Imhoff kept the World trophy in the Netherlands, winning in 1974 at Enhuizen. The flatlands naturally produce great heavy air sailors, such is the topography of the country but another winning element of the Dutch fleet has been the absolute preparation they give to their National Solos'. In the age when wood was king the Dutch would keep the boats undercover in large sheds where they were lovingly cared for and kept in immaculate condition. They also pushed the boundaries of the rules with super light hulls and foils, it must have been a nightmare for the likes of Frank Mountifield, the Chief Measurer at that time. Old hulls which had no right to be competitive were often stripped of their decks and the stringers filed, dried and sanded to minimise weight. Thin decks were refitted and the whole thing repainted and varnished to a showroom finish. H7 was one such hull and would, albeit in the hands of some great young dutch sailors, feature at the front of some hefty opposition. Johan Geenan is still racing H7 so I will be keeping a close eye on his progress.

There was a derth of talent and the Dutch won the Worlds from 1977 through to 1983 when a young UK sailor finally released the Dutch grip on the trophy. That man was Geoff Carveth and his list of successes continues today. The UK sailors had stepped up to the mark and apart from the 1990 event where Mark Tigchelaar won, have dominated the 'Worlds' since. Interestingly, Tigchelaar's win was in Medemblik so there would be a nice symmetry if the Dutch could claim the trophy back this week.

For your information, the 'Worlds' was re-classified as 'The Nations' Cup' in 2000 and the UK and Dutch associations take turns to hold the event.

The legacy put down by the young Dutch Champions of the seventies has not been forgotten and the latest crop of sailors will provide a stern challenge for the UK fleet.

Marleen Gaillard and Claar van der Does lead the way for the ladies and do not underestimate them in the breeze, while Reggie Feltkamp, Norbert Zonneveld, Gilles de Combe and Peerke Kortekaas are also formidable opponents. There is a strong UK fleet, headed by Andy Davis who is in great form. Charlie Cumbley is campaigning the OK and will be in Medemblik this week to take on a whole bunch of Europeans.This "hole" has been capably filled by Matt Howard who is no stranger to the Solo and we will see if he is race ready or ring rusty by the end of the week. Mike Sims has yet to fire on all cylinders but if the track is fair and the breeze is on then will be in the mix. Pete Mitchell who continues to grow at an alarming rate has form in Holland so will be another looking to put down a marker for the rest of the season. I see a Davis victory with Sims second from Howard and Mitchell. I could well be proved wrong but I will be there to report on all the action with race video and interviews. I may even video a few OKs. With a forecast of 12-14 knots (add 5 to that as it is Holland) and a good Medemblik chop, I expect some great action.

Racing commences Friday through to Sunday with 8 races and much drinking.