Solo Open at Spinnaker Club

The day dawned bright and warm with a light northerly breeze tickling across the lake. One by one the fleet assembled, with the local fleet bolstered by visitors from Papercourt SC, Frensham Pond SC, Chichester YC, Lee on the Solent SC and Hamble River YC. All told 22 boats arrived to take on the challenge of Spinnaker in a light northerly breeze

Boats rigged, bacon sandwiches consumed and briefing complete, the fleet applied sun cream and launched to take on the first of the planned 4 races.

The race officer set a course giving 2 beats and 2 runs, with a spreading reach. The windward marks proving challenging as he set the marks as close to the northern bank as he dared, to keep them out of the wind shadow.

And so to the first start, and with the warning about "black flags" ringing in our ears, the fleet set off. The older wooden boats soon set the standard, with Keith McQuillan in Thresher 3923 taking the bullet, Steve Broom in his composite Bergner(4911) taking second, an Steve Broom in his home built boat (3462) taking third.

Race 2 was started back to back with the light northerly still holding up, and preventing the sea breeze from kicking in. Once again, the older boats set the pace, with Steve Broom taking the win from Ben Cooper, and Andy Boyce heading the FRP challenge in Winder 5115.

The fleet then adjourned to the club house for lunch, and a debate as to whether the sea breeze would finally overcome the northerly breeze, or would they cancel each other out. As soon as the fleet was fed and watered, the RO changed the course to give a shorter first beat (making the windward mark a very busy place!).

The fleet launched ready to take on races 3 and 4, with fingers crossed that the northerly would hold out to enable the event to be sailed to a conclusion.

Race 3 again saw the older boats take control, with Ben taking first, Andy taking second and Paul Irons in thresher 4178 taking third. Steve recorded a 4th place, meaning the title would be decided on the last race, between Steve and Ben, with just 1 point separating them. All Ben need to do was to beat Steve, and he would take the title.

Race 4 got underway, with wind hole appearing all over the lake. At the first mark, the leading pack were able to break away, and get around the second mark, just as the rest of the fleet got trapped in a wind hole between marks 1 and 2. So whilst most of us tried to battle our way out of the hole, the leading group put some distance on the rest of the fleet. The race saw a battle between Ben and our defending Champion James Ross (Winder mk2 5513) as to who would take the final race win. In the increased breeze, James found his form and was able to pull clear of Ben to take the win. However this was all Ben needed, as Steve recorded a 4th place, meaning Steve took the title by 2 points.

Racing over, the fleet returned to the club for a tea and homemade cakes supplied by the Spinnaker Solo Support team, which much to the enjoyment of the fleet, was served by the Class captains children.

So to the prize giving, and a selection of prizes from Rooster Sailing. Having completed the tea duties, the prizes were presented by the Class Captain's children.

Overall Results: