Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik, Holland - Overall
by Will Loy 24 Apr 2016 16:45 BST
22-24 April 2016
The fleet set out from the negligible protection of the harbour and broad reached out to the starting area. The track was covered in white horses, each one packed a punch and the sailors were in for a beating.
Andy Davis made an inauspicious start from midway down the line, and Matt Howard was to windward but both were victims of a big left hander which saw Ian Hopwood take a healthy lead around the top mark. Dave Mitchell in second, I would say enjoying the conditions but the flash of teeth as he passed me was of grimace rather than happiness. Sims inherited second at the gybe as Mitchell binned it and moved ahead of Hopwood by the top leg. Meanwhile, Davis and Howard who had rounded in the teens were motoring through, riding the waves like Valkyries. Howard would finish no better than fifth while Davis worked through Hopwood to attack Sims lead.
The final beat saw a hail storm pass through the track, the frozen H2O stinging any exposed flesh and reminding competitors that Medemblik is on the same latitude as Norwich. Sims covered Davis, tack for tack, the gusts testing boat handling techniques and hiking strap mounting points but both sailor and equipment did not fail. Sims took a well deserved victory from Davis and Hopwood, who, as an ex pro rugby player, was accustomed to high levels of pain.
The OK fleet had made their way back to the starting area but the Solo fleet were waved in to shore. There were few who were disappointed with that decision. On shore and with numbers crunched it was no surprise that Andy Davis would be crowned Nation's Cup Champion 2016.
His score read 1-1-1-1-2-2-2 and he is undoubtedly becoming one of the Solo greats. Matt Howard retained second overall with a score of 1-1-2-3-3-10-5 from Mike Sims who is now a serious National Championship prospect with 4-5-4-2-6-2-1
A huge thank you to the Dutch Solo Class Association who have made the UK fleet so welcome and to Medemblik for the impeccable organisation.
Full results here.