Solution Open at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club
by Kathryn Hayfield 4 Apr 2014 09:58 BST
29-30 March 2014
Eight Solutions convened at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club on 28 & 29 March for the first event of the 2014 Travellers' Trophy.
Saturday started with a morning of race training led by Dave Eccles to give the fleet some practice before the afternoon's racing. Kevin Clark showed his speed in heavy winds (or merely took advantage of the fact that the rest of the fleet were worn out from the morning's training) by posting 2 bullets in the lively conditions. Paul Hargreaves, a new face in the Solution fleet, showed promise of competition to come by earning 2 second places.
Sunday dawned with lighter winds and a change to the front of the fleet. John Morrison, who struggled with Saturday's breeze, led from start to finish of all 3 of Sunday's races. There was a lot more place-changing throughout the rest of the fleet but Kevin Clark and Paul Hargreaves both stayed up near the front to make it all to play for in the final race. Kevin managed to squeeze a 2nd place which was enough to take first overall. Paul's consistency gave him 2nd and John managed to finish 3rd even counting a DNC.
Thanks go to Leigh & Lowton for putting on a great event and to Dave Eccles for getting up early to give some training.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 43 | Kevin Clarke | Delph | 1 | 1 | (DNF) | 4 | 2 | 8 |
| 2nd | 451 | Paul Hargreaves | Burwain | 2 | 2 | ‑4 | 2 | 3 | 9 |
| 3rd | 440 | John Morrison | RBA | DNS | (DNC) | 1 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
| 4th | 446 | Martin Tubb | LLSC | 4 | 3 | 3 | ‑6 | 6 | 16 |
| 5th | 436 | Peter Fisk | Llandudno | 5 | 5 | ‑6 | 3 | 5 | 18 |
| 6th | 435 | Kathryn Hayfield | Delph | (DNC) | DNC | 2 | 5 | 4 | 20 |
| 7th | 448 | Arthur Thaine | Hickling Broad | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | (DNC) | 20 |
| 8th | 452 | Ian Walker | Saltash | (DNF) | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 27 |