Solution Travellers' Series at Oxford Sailing Club

Oxford Sailing Club provided the location for the second event in the Solution Travellers' Series. This was a new club for the Solutions and the event was the first for a few new Solution sailors. Nine boats in all arrived from far and wide, to conditions that were very different from Leigh & Lowton four weeks previously, a light easterly which was just pushing the University Fireflies around the lake.

Because of the conditions, Kev Clark decided he might get overpowered and lent his boat to Mike Trueman from Oxford. The OD set a trapezoid course, which was easy to sail, generally because you only have to turn left. Praise must go to the OD and his staff for the courses they set in very difficult conditions. The first race saw Nathan Bachelor and Mike Trueman get away from the fleet with them crossing the line in that order, followed by Mitchell Campbell just piping Mark Crowther for third on the line followed by the rest of the fleet in quite tight order.

A break for lunch saw the wind die and then pick up. The second race was postponed to allow the wind to settle back on a similar course to the first. The next two laps saw big wind changes, nearly everyone take the lead at some point, sailing backwards and a few pile ups at the marks. The wind was so variable the last lap was spent beating the entire way round. Through all the turmoil Mike Trueman was able to get away pursued by Nathan Bachelor and Mark Crowther, holding their positions to the end.

The third race was abandoned ending this rather frustrating day on a great piece of water, hopefully one that the Solutions will visit again.

Overall Results: