Harken Solo Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

Solo Inlands at Rutland © Mike Shaw / www.fotoboat.com

Solo Inlands at Rutland © Mike Shaw / www.fotoboat.com

Day 1 of the Solo Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club and the 74 helms who have completed the three back to back races sit tired but satisfied, the air in the bar, filled with stories of success and tragedy. The changing room is filled with the scent of wetsuit boots and deep heat, telling a story of hard racing and aching quadriceps. The conditions according to the local weather forecast showed a steady 11mph rising to 29mph by close of play, I use the word ‘play' very loosely as threat of impending doom on each downwind was nothing like most sailors idea of fun. Race 1 was won by Andy (taxi) Davis in the Speed hull, showing his win in the Merlin Nationals a few weeks earlier was no fluke. Behind him was Micheal Simms in the Boon 5161 with Andy Tunnicliffe, a Lake Windermere sailor closing out Matt Howard for third.

Race 2 and Matt won the favoured pin end and headed of for an easy win in his Boon 5211 with Andy second and Tony Cooper in a Winder third.

The wind was building all the time which was taking its toll on the fatigued sailors. Matt once again showed his form with another bullet, his heavy air skills were much in evidence. Andy made some late gains on the last upwind after Matt failed to cover but Matt had enough in hand to take his second win. Pete Mitchell who had sailed consistently well throughout the day took third.

So, overnight Andy Davis holds a slim lead with a 1.2.2 over Matt Howard who has 4, 1, 1 and then Pete Mitchell with a 11, 8, 3.

There is a strong chance that the back end of a hurricane will be hitting tomorrow which for some will be good news and for others may be a deal breaker. A quick look at the S.Is, shows that 4 races need to be sailed before the discard kicks in.

The fleet awoke to strong winds and sunshine on day two with the warm gulf airstream a welcome addition to the conditions. Things always look more manageable when it's sunny. With the first of the remaining three races scheduled to start at 10.30 a.m and race officer Ralph Tingle known to be as punctual as a Japanese bullet train, the full English breakfast was consumed with gusto.

Race 4 was won by Matt Howard again following a general recall. He may not know it but he was lucky! I started at the committee boat for the first start and with 3 seconds to go his sail number was called OCS and he was to be given an individual recall but with 1 second to go the line was obscured....probably by me. Micheal Simms initially led but was reeled in by Matt over the 3 lap course, his recent experiences in winning the Solo Nationals and in the D-one Gold Cup in Garda was standing him in good stead. Andy Davis worked his way up to third in the increasing 20mph breeze with Tom Gillard fourth.

The first beat in Race 5 saw a big rise in pressure with a sea of white horses and a large chop rolling straight down Rutland Water. The gusts were in the thirties and the leading Solo's were working hard to drive their Solo's towards the top mark. Ian Hopwood, the man famous for being on the front of the recent Solo Specific magazine rounded first in his Boon 5168 with Andy Davis hard on his heels. The usual suspects were also close by, fitness and stamina combined with great boat handling proving to be the essential ingredients. The reaching legs saw warp speed conditions which is pretty amazing in a Solo. Dave Winder managed to nose dive while he went forward to get his sandwiches and Pete Mitchell (North Sails junior jockey) railed his Solo and nearly took out the Fotoboat rib.

Matt eventually took the lead and extended to the finish. Andy once again finished second with Micheal Simms third and Gillard fourth.

Race 6 saw the tired fleet once again push themselves around the three lap course. There were some big gains made and lost as some sizeable shifts bounced down the track. Matt held a big lead and headed off left, Andy went right and nearly caught up but it was to be Matt Howard's day and HARKEN sponsored Inland Championship. Simms and Gillard replicated there race 5 finishing positions.

So with an impressive series of 4-1-1-1-1-1 Matt Howard took the title but it was by no means an easy win. The racing throughout the weekend was fair, exciting and exhausting. The Race management was excellent with swift turnaround between races, super safety cover and hearty catering to feed very hungry sailors.

Many thanks to all at Rutland Sailing Club, to Fotoboat for capturing the action and especially to Harken for their sponsorship.

Event Video:

Overall Results:

Inland Champion, Matt Howard
Veteran, Dave Mitchell
Junior, Pete Mitchell
Lady, Vanda Jowett
Grand Master, Ray Collins
Septimus, Brian Fisher