Rooster Midland Solo Series at Staunton Harold Sailing Club
by Nick Threadgill 24 Oct 2016 19:51 BST
22 October 2016
A record entry of twenty eight Solos gathered at Staunton Harold Sailing Club on 22nd October for the final round of the 2016 Rooster Midland Series. Twenty three visitors made the trip to join five home boats and were rewarded with a great day's sailing.
The forecast of 8-9 knots proved pretty accurate with some bright sunny weather, although a couple of rainy squalls came through in the afternoon. The wind direction was ideal which enabled the race officer Simon Kelsall to set some good courses during the day.
Oli Wells (5668) from Northampton stormed off into a commanding lead in the first race, chased by Bob Suggitt (5318) from Barnt Green, Staunton Harold sailor Tim Gray (5443) and Alan Bishop (5649) from Girton. There was some close racing in the fleet, but Oli Wells stayed out in front to clinch the race followed by Tim Gray in second with another home sailor Javier Porto (4727) coming through to take third place.
After a hearty lunch the fleet set out for two more races sailed back to back. The lead was contested in the second race by Tim Gray, Simon Maskell (5687) from Hunts, Jonathan Woodward (5176) from South Staffs and Oli Wells, with Kev Hall (5524) from Northampton and Nigel Davies (5642) from Draycote in close contention. Oli Wells fought his way to the front to secure the event with another impressive win. Tim Gray was again in second place with Nigel Davies picking up third.
In the third race, Tim Gray and Bob Suggitt fought for the lead in the early stages but with the arrival of some squally rain Simon Maskell came through to take the line honours. Alan Bishop took second place with Bob Suggitt in third.
So, with his clean sweep in the first two races, Oli Wells took the title. Second overall was Tim Gray, with Simon Maskell in third place.
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
1st | 5668 | Oli Wells | Northampton | 1 | 1 | DNF | 2 |
2nd | 5443 | Tim Gray | Staunton Harold | 2 | 2 | 4 | 4 |
3rd | 5687 | Simon Maskell | Hunts | 4 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
4th | 5649 | Alan Bishop | Girton | 6 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
5th | 5318 | Bob Suggitt | Barnt Green | 5 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
6th | 4727 | Javier Porto | Staunton Harold | 3 | 12 | 5 | 8 |
7th | 5642 | Nigel Davies | Draycote Water | 9 | 3 | 6 | 9 |
8th | 5176 | Jonathan Woodward | South Staffs | 7 | 8 | 14 | 15 |
9th | 5524 | Kev Hall | Northampton | 12 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
10th | 5695 | Ian Ingram | Earlwood | 14 | 11 | 7 | 18 |
11th | 5455 | Mark Maskell | Blackwater | 11 | 7 | 11 | 18 |
12th | 5312 | Stuart Norris | Shropshire | 10 | 14 | 8 | 18 |
13th | 5643 | Chris Brown | Draycote Water | 8 | 10 | DNF | 18 |
14th | 5662 | Steve Thomas | Rudyard Lake | 13 | 13 | 10 | 23 |
15th | 5564 | Graham Wilson | Northampton | 15 | 21 | 9 | 24 |
16th | 5580 | Keith Lancaster | Hollowell | 19 | 18 | 13 | 31 |
17th | 4267 | Iain Carpenter | Northampton | 16 | 17 | 15 | 31 |
18th | 5650 | Phil Kilburn | Notts County | 17 | 19 | 16 | 33 |
19th | 5399 | Kevin Andrews | Notts County | 22 | 15 | 19 | 34 |
20th | 4325 | Phil Honnor | Staunton Harold | 18 | 22 | 17 | 35 |
21st | 4548 | Clive Gimson | Notts County | 21 | 16 | 21 | 37 |
22nd | 4882 | Brian Fisher | Notts County | 24 | 20 | 22 | 42 |
23rd | 4120 | Duncan Syme | Banbury | 25 | 26 | 18 | 43 |
24th | 5003 | Paul Bottomley | South Staffs | 23 | 24 | 20 | 43 |
25th | 4767 | Richard Blunt | Barnt Green | 20 | 23 | 23 | 43 |
26th | 4096 | Seth Turner | Banbury | 28 | 25 | 24 | 49 |
27th | 4567 | Nick Threadgill | Staunton Harold | 26 | DNF | DNC | 54 |
28th | 4476 | David Bridge | Staunton Harold | 27 | DNC | DNC | 56 |