Solos Open at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Paul Isherwood blasting at the Chew Valley Lake Solo Open © Primrose Salt

Simon Jones hiking at the Chew Valley Lake Solo Open © Primrose Salt

Twenty one Solos gathered for the annual Solo Open Meeting at Chew Valley Lake S.C. to be greeted by a freshening Southerly wind, gusting at times to force seven.

Race Officer Peter McLaren set an Olympic style course for the first race which saw Simon Jones from NSCA, Ralph Weller from Teign Corinthian Y.C. and Chew Soloist, Tom Davis fighting it out in a closely contested battle. Simon Jones eventually created space ahead of Ralph Weller and Tom Davis to take line honours.

Race Two started after lunch with winds increasing. The course was changed to remove the runs in the hope of reducing the work load of the safety boats. There were many capsizes, some gear failure and much tacking around at the gybe marks which kept the safety boats busy and the spectators ashore entertained. Fraser Budd from Chew pressed Ralph Weller hard around the course but Ralph held on to his hard fought lead to take first position. Simon Jones finished behind in third place. Only seven boats managed to finish this race.

Race three saw a very much depleted fleet. Tom Davis lead from the start and was closely followed by Errol Edwards from Chew. Fraser Budd again made his way through the fleet to take second place with R. Gibon from Bowmoor S.C. finishing in third. Six boats finished this race in deteriorating weather.

Overall Results: