Solution Open at Bala Sailing Club
by Gay Wright 20 Jul 2008 10:36 BST
13 July 2008
The wind finally appears at Bala's Solution open meeting © John Hunte
The Bala Solo Open shared their venue with seven visiting Solutions from five clubs for a Solution open event. Following an initial dead calm the first race finally got under way in light SW winds around a trapezoidal course. The competitors were faced with various obstructions called long distance swimmers who were swimming the length of the lake!
Dave Butler led the way followed by Kevin Clark and Kathryn Hayfield. Kevin and Kathryn were then passed by Wendy Pickstock, Duncan Tarry and Patrick Manning. Patrick eventually losing out to Kathryn.
During lunch the wind picked up in strength but also became more variable. The race officer Don Muir set an Olympic course for the second and third races. Kevin took the lead followed by Kathryn, Dave and Wendy. Kevin held on to his lead to be followed home by Dave and Patrick who was only just in front of Wendy.
For the last race with the wind starting to die the length of the first beat was halved and the number of laps reduced to one. Kathryn led the way followed by Kevin, Dave and Patrick. At the end however it was Kevin leading from Dave, Kathryn and Patrick. Duncan did not compete in this last race – the strain of the long beats taking their toll. Well the course was set well down the lake where the marks are set most widely apart.
Bala’s first Solution Open was enjoyed by all the competitors and although there are no Solution sailors at the club it is proposed to hold a similar event next year.
Results:
1st - Kevin Clark - Seafarers SC - 2pts
2nd - Dave Butler - NSSC - 3pts
3rd - Wendy Pickstock - Rudyard Lake - 6pts
4th - Kathryn Hayfield - Delph - 7pts
5th - Patrick Manning - Delph - 7pts