Solo Open at Pilkington Sailing Club
by Richard Hampson 4 Oct 2009 12:29 BST
3 October 2009
Solos at Pilkington © Richard Hampson
On Saturday 3rd October, Pilkington Sailing Club held its inaugural Solo Open. The weather was terrible with rain and gale to severe gale forecast for the NW of England and for once the Met Office was spot on! Despite the extreme conditions 6 visitors and 4 PSC boats competed.
OOD, Richard Hampson, got the first race got underway at 1100, but a 45 degree wind change just before the start biased the upwind legs for the whole race. Richard Critchley took an early lead followed by Mike Hobin and Tony Sampson. The fleet had to manage in a typical 25 mph wind with regular 45 mph gusts and some ferocious shifts. Hobin overtook Critchley on the final lap, only to briefly sail the wrong course letting Critchley back through. Critchley won, followed by Hobin and Sampson.
After a splendid lunch, the fleet re assembled to battle with a new course. Shortly after the 4 minute gun the lake was hit by a rain squall which had most swimming and the start was subsequently postponed whilst the rescue boats tidied up. Once underway Hobin hit the front and could not be caught. Andy Fox who had struggled to get up to speed in the conditions during the morning race came second and Critchley third.
The wind did not abate at all, but the sun did come out for the third race and by now fairly tired limbs took to the water again. Hobin again lead the fleet around but this time was keenly pursued by Fox. Richard Whitelock was also now getting to grips with the violent conditions and the race finished Hobin, Fox and Whitelock in that order.
PSC was disappointed that the extreme weather had reduced the number of visitors, but delighted with the quality of those who did come to sail. With the exception of Hobin, everybody capsized at least once, many several times, but everybody managed to enjoy an exciting sail with thankfully no damage other than a few muddy sail tops and lost burgees. Vice Commodore, Dave Greenall, gave the prizes and Mike Hobin replied for the visitors with the customary thanks. Indeed Mike started his dinghy sailing career at PSC but had not been back to the Club for over 30 years. Mike paid tribute to Trevor Fillingham who had taught him to sail as a teenager and indeed had also competed in this Meeting, but had not been alone in succumbing to the conditions!
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No / Helm / Club | R1 | R2 | R3 |
1st | 4927 Mike Hobin (Oxford & West Oxford) | -2 | 1 | 1 |
2nd | 4666 Richard Critchley (Pilkington) | 1 | 3 | -4 |
3rd | 5021 Andrew Fox (Crosby) | -4 | 2 | 2 |
4th | 5039 Tony Sampson (Budworth) | 3 | 4 | -5 |
5th | 4992 Richard Whitelock (Nantwich & B) | 5 | -6 | 3 |
6th | 5016 Ted Garner (Budworth) | DNF | 5 | 6 |
7th | 4475 Mike Taylor (Bolton) | DNF | 7 | DNF |
8th | 3807 Trevor Fillingham (Pilkington) | DNF | DNF | DNC |
9th | 4445 Nick Hampson (Pilkington) | DNF | DNC | DNC |
10th | 3876 Martin Rusk (Pilkington) | DNF | DNC | DNC |