Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik, Holland - Day 1
by Will Loy 23 Apr 2016 14:36 BST
22-24 April 2016
Wing mark action on day 1 of the Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik © Will Loy
Fifty-six Solos made it to the line for race 1 of the Nation's Cup, hosted by Medemblik Sailing Centre.
There were some last minute cancellations from Dutch and UK representatives but this in no way detracted from the level of fierce competition on it. The relaxed Dutch way of life was apparent from the off, no race briefing, "you have the sailing instructions, off you go". I was to be filming the event and waited pensively on the ample jetty as the fleets of Solos' and OK dinghy's set off. A tall chap rocked up in a big yellow rib, my ride, but instead of welcoming me aboard he passed me the keys and kill cord and left me to it! I did have to sign for them and since the club had been the victim of the theft of all their rescue rib outboards the day earlier, some form of paper trail seemed prudent. Fortunately for me, Jim Hunt was available to drive me to the race area since he had broken his OK the day before in preparing for the OK event. Jim, multiple champion in multiple classes does not hang around and the steep Ijsselmeer chop was no match for his accelerator arm. The OK would be using the same course and set off after one general recall leaving the way clear for the Solos' who's start followed a similar pattern.
Race 1
The breeze was at 7-10 knots and punching through the awkward chop would be the quick way to the back of the fleet. The course would be the triangle /sausage and at the top of a long first beat it was Jonathan Swain who came in from the left of the course with Andy Davis a close second. Mike Sims, Nigel Davies, Peerke Kortekaas (NED) Steve Graham and Matt Howard in seventh. Davies dropped low and immediately took the lead. The reaches were low on gains or losses as the pressure and wave action was negligible. The beats were a whole different story and the trick was checking compass bearings rather than being tempted into tacking on a perceived header. Swain seemed to take a higher line but Davis was happy to go bow down and get into the next shift quicker and held for the win. Matt Howard hooked into a nice left hander and pipped Sims on the line with Nigel Davies fifth.
Race 2
The breeze increased, the cloud muffling the suns rays and chilling the waiting sailors as the OK fleet set off. The PRO John Borsboom shortened the length of the top mark considerably but I doubt this warmed the sailors hearts. Unfortunately a general recall and increase in pressure brought the OK fleet round the leeward mark as the Solos' set off. A frustrating sight as those thinking they were in a clean lane found themselves effectively in the eighties. Dave Mitchell had made a complete pig's ear of the start but was at the pin end and a big left hander provided him with clear air away from the OK fleet which he exploited to round first. Great job Dave! Ian Hopwood rounded with Davis on his inside. Howard and Pete Mitchell were fourth and fifth as the breeze kicked up the classic Ijsselmeer chop meaning downwind gains were in play. As Keith Milroy from the Highlands rounded sixth, I swear I could hear the faintest sound of bagpipes in the Northerly wind. Up front Davis had taken the lead by the wing mark, sinking low and working his little socks off while others took the high road. Howard was into second and these two extended on the pack. Hopwood and Pete Mitchell were unto third and fourth and first beat genius Dave Mitchell was relegated to seventh. The beats were hard work and despite Howard's supreme fitness and angry face, he could not break through the sublimely smooth Davis style. Pete Mitchell took third, enjoying the physical effort required to keep the Solo driving through some very steep slabs of Ijsselmeer. Hopwood took a well earned fourth from Sims and Dave Mitchell.
Race 3
There were some tired expressions as the fleet prepared for the final race of the day and with the breeze at 16-18knots, the fleet set off for mark 1. Unusually, the ends of the line were empty with the majority, like sheep on a patch of dry ground, congregated in the middle. The OK fleet had provided a good indicator of which way was quickest and the Solos' followed suit, holding out to the left for a considerable time. The trick was going far enough, that, on tacking you could clear the OK fleet as they reached down to the wing mark but not over lay the top mark.
Howard took command, obviously keen to get back to shore asap as the temperature continued to drop. Chris Brown and Martin Frary were next around the big orange buoy from Davis and Hopwood. Davis again sank low in the deep troughs of Dutch water and had got up to second by the wing mark. Howard and Davis continued to extend on the chasing pack but Davis could not break through the Finn Olympic coach's death lock. Elsewhere in the fleet there were gains for those that had trained for such times, when the muscles are beyond aching and the cold numbing effects of the highland injected northerly have found their way through the barriers of water-proofing to the very flesh. Howard took the bullet from Davis who was on energy conserve and Martin Frary who was lapping up the breeze. Mike Sims was fourth from Pete Mitchell who, just before the line, decided on ducking rather than chancing the cross.
So as the fleet returned to shore and with the prospect of three races tomorrow in stronger winds, the repair process was underway. beer and lot's of it.
Andy Davis leads the Nation's Cup with 1-1-2 from Matt Howard with 3-2-1. Mike Sims sits in third with 4-5-4 from Martin Frary 13-7-3 and Ian Hopwood, 15-4-5. Results to follow.