SORC Channel Week
by Mike Saqui 17 Aug 2010 16:01 BST
31 July - 7 August 2010
The only single-handed race week in British offshore waters was organised by Solo Offshore Racing Club and attracted a record entry for this popular format.
Twenty-two boats started from Lymington on July 31 and all arrived safely back in Lymington one week later, which given two days of pretty difficult weather is testimony to the abilities and determination of all the skippers taking part in this very popular event. The week itself was fantastic – hard racing, lots of parties, great food, a wonderful group of people with a very friendly atmosphere and even a game of Cricket on the beach in St Quay!
The series of six passage races visited Alderney – Guernsey – St Quay (Brittany) – Brixham – Portland returning to Lymington. The fleet included a Mini Pogo 1, Mustang 30, Mystery 35, Southerly 110, 2 HOD’s, 2 JOD’s, 2 Beneteau 31.7, A35, X37, J122 and others. The winds heading south for the first two legs were comfortable but once in St Quay the return trip tested skippers on the 110 mile overnight cross channel. The fleet set off with a north westerly F5 to 7and a cold front midway served up a wet night especially for the smaller boats. The final legs from Brixham to Portland and on to Lymington were fabulous downhill days, many boats reaching speeds in the mid teens surfing down the waves across Lyme bay – “some say” boats go quicker with fewer crew! Rounding the Portland Bill close in and solo is an interesting exercise.
The balance of passage races, port to port and well organized stopovers is a perfect mix of “work hard – play hard”. Is there time to get bored? Any skipper will reply that they were always busy as they have to do it all, repairs, nav prep, weather routing, sail packing and of course sleeping, and after the racing it’s like having a crew of 22 to entertain!
The winner overall from class 2 was Paddy Cronin on “Psipsina” HOD 35,followed by Race Director Peter Olden on Archambault A35 “Solan Goose of Hamble”, Rob Craigie on J122” Jbellino” and Chris Rustom on Stewart 37 “Ding Dong”. Paddy winning overall with great boat handling and speed all week in a borrowed boat – thanks John Lodden.
Class one was a close three way battle, Class two was dominated by Paddy scoring five consecutive wins (he did not need the sixth) chased by JODs and HODs and Nick Martin on J105 Diablo J. In class three Herve Dupriez led with four wins in his Beneteau 31.7.
Overall Results:
Class One
1st Solan Goose of Hamble, Peter Olden
2nd Jbellino, Rob Craigie
3rd Ding Dong, Chris Rustom
Class Two
1st Psipsina, Paddy Cronin
2nd Diablo J, Nick Martin, J105
3rd Dinah, Barry Hurley, JOD35
Class Three
1st Penrod, Herve Dupriez, 31.7
2nd Restless, Mike Saqui, Mustang 30
3rd Wee Bear, Carl Wilcock, Projection 920
The next SORC day race is the Nab Tower solo on September 19th.
Full results and report at www.offshoresolo.com