The National Solo Nations Cup 2014 at Riva Del Garda - Day 2

After the disappointment of no sailing on Tuesday and Germany winning, the fleet awoke to bright sunshine and a light 'pela' northerly. On the water early enough for a prompt 9am start proved difficult but not impossible. There were sad stories of breakfasts missed but once out in the race area smiles returned as the wind built to a steady force five and three races were held in champagne conditions.

Race 1 and the fleet were away first time with the majority starting towards the committee boat end. Andy Couch made the best of the shifts and powered into the lead, never to be seriously challenged. The North/Boon proving it still is a fast combination. There was some place changing over the triangle sausage course and with the finish line set well to windward of the leeward mark, good tactics were required to hold your position to the gun. This was a welcome change from the regular short reach to the finish used in the UK. Micheal Sims (Winder/P&B) made ground to finish second and Charlie Cumbley (Rondar/North 3DL) worked his way up to third in defence of the title he won last year at Hayling Island. Shane MacCarthy (IRL) in the winder/HD Sails took fourth ahead of Chris Brown (Poulson/P&B).

Race 2 and the wind was holding in strength and direction, the trick between races was staying between sun and sail to really top up the tan.

Again the right seemed favoured, the cliffs to the left having little influence as the top mark had been moved right. This time Charlie Cumbley made no mistakes, starting towards the middle of the line he worked the subtle shifts to round first and consolidated to win. Pete Mitchell (Rondar/North) had spent the entire race in a tussle with Andy Couch and he took second with Micheal Sims fourth to stake his claim for the title. There had been some major windshifts' during both races but the RO had done a marvellous job keeping the course true. The leaders had also kept their heads out of the boat, Tim Law had been among them but the wake from a large catamaran flipped him in the water to ruin his race.

Race 3 and the word was that we would be sent in to shore for lunch on completion so any loss of enthusiasm was quickly extinguished.

Tim Law (Winder/North3DL) was not to be denied and took the race by the scruff of the neck from the off. Starting once again by the committee boat with Andy couch in close company he worked the Salcombe magic and finding the right shifts to round the top mark with a sizeable lead. Behind him were a gaggle of Solo's including MacCarthy, Brown, Couch, Simon Jones (Winder/HD) and BIG Gerard Post (NED) Bergner/North. Claar Van der Does (NED) was putting on a great show as first lady, enjoying the downwinds, (and the upwinds also). The wind was reducing as the sun's rays warmed the surrounding mountain range and the thermal 'Ora' did it's best to spoil the 'Pela' party.

At the gun a much deserved bullet for Tim Law with Charlie Cumbley in second and Andy Couch again third. Shane MacCarthy took another fourth with Simon Jones a superb fifth.

The fleet returned to shore as the wind dropped and the three honks of the hooter denoting no further racing for the day were greeted with appreciation.

Tomorrow is another glorious day in Italy, less so in Brasil and with Holland playing tonight I expect a Dutch win and lots of free beer.