Solo Open at Broadwater Sailing Club

Solos at Broadwater © Catherine Turner

Nineteen Solos competed for the honour of winning the Broadwater Chessboard at the club’s annual Solo Open meeting. At the start of the day, the sky was overcast and the wind light, so it was pleasing to see twelve visitors from ten different clubs, some as far afield as Nuneaton, Nantwich, and Tonbridge, joining the local sailors.

Race 1

The first race proved to be a nightmare for the Officer of the Day with the wind veering 100 degrees from the W/SW to the W/NW just before the start of the race. This necessitated moving the first mark and the start line. The delayed race went ahead but the changes meant that there was a loophole in the course as set which was legitimately exploited by a member of the home club. All other sailors sailed the course as it was intended. After a clean start, the early lead was closely contested between Vince Horey 5166 / Mark Maskell 5012 / Chris Brown 5091 and David Walford 5052. Thereafter the lead changed on a regular basis until Vince Horey broke away on the second lap to take line honours.

Fortunately the force 1/2 wind settled in the W/SW for the second and third races allowing good start lines and fair courses to be set.

Race 2

After a superb Broadwater lunch the fleet took to the water for their second race. David Walford led from the start closely followed by Mark / Vince and Chris Various place changes occurred during the race with Mark taking line honours closely followed by David .

Race 3

Vince and Mark provided the spectators with an exciting contest in this race, with the battle for first place going to the line. The two boats were neck and neck on the final beat and, at the end of a close duel, could only be separated by half a metre. Mark claimed first place , pushing Vince into second. There were also close fought battles throughout the fleet and third place was shared by David, and Michael Dray from Littleton Sailing Club. There was no way to separate them as they crossed the line, still tacking competitively in the effort to gain the upper hand.

Overall Mark won the event with Vince in second and David in third place. At the end of the day, prizes were presented by the club’s Vice Commodore, Stewart French. Mark thanked the club for their hospitality, mentioning particularly the hardworking volunteers in the galley.

Overall Results:

1st 5012, Mark Maskell (Blackwater)
2nd 5166, Vince Horey (King George)
3rd 5052, David Walford (Broadwater)
4th 5091, Chris Brown (RYA)
5th 4386, Michael Dray (Littleton)
6th 5119, Will Rainey (Burghfield)
7th 4908, Richard Linsdale (Broadwater)
8th 4757, Chris Parker (Broadwater)
9th 5168, Ian Hopwood (Nantwich & Borders)
10th 5060, Geoff Holden (Grafham Water)
11th 4551, Bill Hutchings (Tonbridge)
12th 5080, Mike Ball (Papercourt)
13th 4952, Joe Roecroft (Littleton)
14th 4533, Mike Parker (Broadwater)
15th 4853, Martin Allen (Bewl Valley)
16th 5185, Stephen Cottrell (Bewl Valley)
17th 5118, Steve Langford (Broadwater)
18th 3410, Paul Haywood (Broadwater)
19th 3936, Geoff Walford (Broadwater)