Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik, Holland - Day 2
by Will Loy 23 Apr 2016 17:38 BST
22-24 April 2016
The fleet awoke to the predicted 18-20 knots of arctic air and white caps, accentuated by the muddy waters of the Ijsselmeer. Once clear of the breakwater the competitors were surprised, some relieved and some disappointed to be greeted by a tame 12knots, still bloody cold though.
Race 4
Andy Davis led into the top mark, having worked the middle of the course with Innes Armstrong, Mike Sims and Jonathan Swain just behind. Pete Mitchell was in tenth and Matt Howard was an uncharacteristic twentieth. The breeze was building and with the sun shining your cameraman was in a happy place. This was not to last as, to my horror, a little red light flashed onto my LED screen reminding me to charge my camera battery. I switched from video to stills and focused on the money shots. Davis controlled from the front and extended on the fleet to win with Sims improving to second by the gun and Howard an incredible third. a big shout out for Hans Duetz who flew the flag for the Dutch to finish fourth ahead of Swain.
The breeze was increasing having been initially compressed by the passing cloud, according to my rib driver, Jim Hunt. There were already some little sad faces, robbed of all colour from the brutality of icy baths but with two races still to complete, there would be no respite.
Race 5
Ian Hopwood nailed the beat and just managed to round ahead of Guy Mayger and Howard. Fray and Pete Mitchell completed the top five though the fleet were bunched up. Mayer was in the lead by the wing mark but Howard was hot and past him by the leeward mark. There was some carnage as sailors bore off to gybe, the IJsselmeer chop deciding who would live or die. The waters, only 7 metres deep was making a mess of masts and wind indicators and once buried, outside assistance was required. Howard gave a masterclass in Solo sailing and had a comfortable win from the fast finishing Davis and Mayger who had a blinder.
Martin Frary and Dave Mitchell completed the top five.
Race 6
This was full-on sailing and with casualties removed from the course the sequence for race 3 began.
A committee favoured end start and Davis, in the bright orange 'Leider" vest stood out from the fleet like a tulip in a field of cabbage. Davis was showing no signs of fatigue and took a commanding lead by the top mark. Sims and Frary were also revelling in the physicality of the conditions rounding second and third. The whole fleet blasted down the reaches, hearts pounding and knuckles white with the cold. Howard was in fifth at the gybe but binned it, potentially handing the championship to Davis. The beats were torture and the run to the leeward mark full of treachery but the sailors earned their beer tonight and will fall asleep aching but satisfied. Davis consolidated for the win from Sims and Frary. Jonathan Swain and Pete Mitchell completed the top five.
So, as the fleet headed into shore and hail began to fall it would be Andy Davis who is leading the event with just two races to complete tomorrow. With a 1-1-1-1-2-2 scoreline he has done enough to secure the title, Howard has 1-1-2-3-3-10 and two discards so even two bullets will not be enough. The consistent Sims is in third with 2-2-4-4-5-6. Frary, Pete Mitchell and father, Dave Mitchell fill the top six.
Tomorrow the forecast is for more wind, more cold and more pain. My camera will be charged and my fingers, gloved.
Full results here.