Kingfisher Solent Slog at Weston Sailing Club
by Rich Thoroughgood 8 Jun 2011 07:42 BST
5 June 2011
Kingfisher Solent Slog at Weston © H20 films
The annual Kingfisher Solent Slog, long distance catamaran race was hosted by Weston Sailing Club, Sunday 5th June.
A huge range of cats ranging from RYA Youth squad Spitfires to the wing sail C Class, Invictus took off at pace in gusty conditions from the start line in Southampton Water. Inevitably the Nacra carbon 20, and the colossal M20 Vampire led the fleet out of Southampton water and East towards the turning mark off Gillkicker point, Gosport. The 20's held the lead for the duration, although were pushed hard under handicap until the bitter end.
After rounding Gillkicker, the fleet blasted South. Around a turing mark off the North side of the Isle of Wight, before a quick dash to Cowes, across to a gate off the Beaulieu river, a screaming reach to Hurst Castle, before rounding and coming back to the finish off Weston SC. Unfortunately it was the gate off Beaulieu that was to prove the undoing of some of the top ranking F18's. Forgetting the sailing instructions and not rounding correctly, forced several culprits to retire from the race, despite returning to the shore to see their names high within the chocolates order.
This year's conditions were the complete opposite to the up and down, and often glassed out affair of the previous year. The fleet varied conditions, although were often found twin wiring with kites up and blasting through the 55 mile course at a record pace. Inevitably the stronger conditions took their toll on a number of boats, forcing retirements throughout various stages of the race. The most noticeable of these being the ever impressive C Class, Team Invictus who were seen dropping the whole of their wingsail in to the tide, resulting in what seemed to be a million pieces!
Thanks to event's plentiful safety boat cover, all competitors thankfully returned home safely, and in great spirit. The tiring combination of the varying winds (F2 - F5 ) and solent tides, saw the lead boat taking just over 4 hours and others using the full 7 hour time limit.
Line hours went to the mighty M20 Vampire sailed by Will Sunnocks and Oliver Egan, who also took the Kingfisher prize for a well deserved first place on corrected time.
Weston SC would like to thank everyone involved in this year's event. Kingfisher Yacht Ropes, race officers, safety boat crews, canteen staff and many others made the event a great success.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Will Sunnocks & Oli Egan (M20 Vampire)
2nd Stuart Gummer & Lewis Crawford (Wildcat)
3rd Peter & James Findlay (Nacra Carbon 20)