Solo Open at Maidenhead Sailing Club
by John Ewbank 13 Apr 2005 09:16 BST
10 April 2005
Action from the Solo Open at Maidenhead Sailing Club © Claire Clark
Bright sunshine and a steady force 2 from the North West greeted 8 home and 16 guest sailors to the MSC Solo Open. The format for the day was three races, one in the morning and two in the afternoon run back to back, with best 2 from 3 to count.
The first race got off to a clean start with two local sailors John Mansfield (4591) and Mike Pearcy (2591) first to the windward mark. As the race progressed Mike Ball (4508) Papercourt, went to the front followed by Godfrey Clark (4120) Fishers Green, and Jerry Garner (4189) Papercourt , closely followed in by Roger Puttock (4561) Papercourt and Tony Thresher (4569) W. Oxon. This was the finishing order.
After lunch and with a slight course change race two got going at the second time of asking following a general recall for the first attempt. This race was won by Mike Ball with Godfrey Clark maintaining second position despite a spectacular wipe out in a very fierce gust which left him with a bent mast, and Tony Thresher in third, closely followed in fourth place by Roger Puttock with Tim Hore (4446) Littleton, in fifth. With two firsts already Mike Ball was therefore the Open winner.
The third race saw Tony Thresher dominate from start to finish establishing a commanding lead by the end. On the final leg Mike Ball overtook Roger Puttock to take second with Jerry Garner finishing in fourth.
The overall winner was therefore Mike Ball (Papercourt), with Tony Threshe (W. Oxford) in second and Godfrey Clark (Fishers Green) in third.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat Type | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Solo | 4508 | A Fish Called Winda | Mike Ball | Papercourt | 2 |
| 2nd | Solo | 4569 | A Shark called Thresher | Tony Thresher | W. Oxon | 4 |
| 3rd | Solo | 4120 | | Godfrey Clark | Fishers Green | 4 |
| 4th | Solo | 4561 | Ice Age | Roger Puttock | Papercourt | 7 |
| 5th | Solo | 4189 | | Jerry Garner | Papercourt | 7 |