Class start for Mini sailors in Solent Solo Series 2011
by Jerry Freeman, SORC 10 Nov 2010 13:28 GMT
Mini sailors in the UK can look forward to a busy season next year with the announcement that the Solo Offshore Racing Club (SORC) is to organise class starts for Minis in the Solent as part of its growing 14 race Solo Series for 2011.
Six UK mini sailors met at Royal Southern YC, Hamble to thrash out a programme for the 2011 season with SORC race director Peter Olden, "We are very keen to encourage mini racing in the Solent next year, our solo day races are very accessible for local boats and provide the important first steps to safe single-handed sailing under race conditions." said Peter.
In addition Brian Thompson (Mini Transat 2001) has negotiated a special mooring rate for minis at Haslar marina and envisages a community of sailors and boats growing there over the coming years. Mini sailors in the UK have tended to run isolated campaigns and in the past have rarely got together for training, the mutual support of a group of fellow mini enthusiasts is essential for success.
The Shorthanded sailing base at Haslar Marina will be offering coaching sessions early in the season, "UK mini sailors will benefit greatly from race practice in home waters before they make the big step over to France and I hope we will see a lot of UK boats dusted own and racing for the first time in several years." said Paul Peggs (Mini Transat 1999 / 2001) one of the three coaches based at Haslar along with Brian Thompson and Pip Hare who is currently campaigning a Pogo 2 for the 2011 mini transat.
The first SORC race of the 2011 season is on March 26th in the central solent and the classic Round the Isle of Wight Solo (RIOW) starts on April 16th.
For more details of the race programme and to make contact with the group please email Peter Olden via 
