Noble Marine National Solo End of Season Championship 2014

Noble Marine Solo End of Season Championship at Draycote Water © Will Loy

Noble Marine Solo End of Season Championship at Draycote Water © Will Loy

Noble Marine Solo End of Season Championship at Draycote Water © Will Loy

Draycote Water S.C. kindly hosted the EOS and the 64 entries reflected the popularity of this venue, the good health of the class and the very welcome forecast.

All the main players were in attendance including current National champion Charlie Cumbley. His nemesis in Italy, Andy Couch, Nation's Cup champion had taken time away from his extreme fitness program to also be there, as was Andy Davis, Spring champion and Mike Sims, Northern Champion. Other potential front runners were Andrew Wilde, Pete Mitchell (current EOS Holder) Ian Pinnell, Chris Brown and Dave Mitchell.

Race 1

The PRO was taking no nonsense and was quick to hoist the black flag following a rather over-enthusiastic first attempt. On the start there were two clear strategies in play, go left or go right. Mike Sims and Andy Couch were in the go right group while Ben Cooper and John Webster were in the kack-handed group. Ben and John had started on the pin and hooked into a big left hander to round ahead of Dave Mitchell, Mike Sims and Ian Hopwood. Davis was in sixth, Cumbley eighth and Wilde was in the teens with Couch and Pete Mitchell. The leeward leg saw place changes as the lucky ones found pressure and avoided the huge wind shadow that 60 plus sails produce.

John Webster who has been putting the hours on the water at Carsington pulled through to win convincingly from Andy Davis and Andrew Wilde who must have done everything right. Cumbley, Couch and P. Mitchell were unable to make sufficient ground to gain a counter. Special mention to Ben Cooper, he sailed a great race to finish fifth in a 30 yr old + Wooden Solo.

Race 2

The wind was building and the sun was shining, perfect sailing conditions. The fleet were away and the heavier sailors were secretly smiling as they powered up to the top mark. Charlie Cumbley would make no mistakes this time, starting midline he worked the substantial shifts to round first and would not relinquish this position. Behind him Kevan Gibb led the posse from Jonathon Swain, Nigel Davies and Jarvis Simpson. Sims was sixth, Pete Mitchell tenth with Wilde and Davis on his tail and Couch was sixteenth. The breeze was building to a nice 15mph + and the fleet were crying out for a reach but the PRO had stuck to the windward/leeward so gains were hard to make. At the gun it was Charlie Cumbley with the bullet from Mike Sims, Pete Mitchell, Nigel Davies and Andy Davis. Couch took a useful eighth and Chris Brown was starting to get used to his new Winder in sixth.

Race 3

The PRO went to the familiar triangle sausage course and with the wind peaking at 20mph the fleet set off with hiking strap mounting points being tested to the maximum. At the top mark it was Jonathon Swain who took the bragging rights from Chris Brown and Charlie Cumbley. The fleet screamed down the well angled reach and there were no casualties at the gybe. Brown and Cumbley broke through to lead from a fast approaching Couch, proving he is no potato. Cumbley was not to be denied and past Brown to take the win and the championship. Davis, Couch and Sims overtook Brown who put it in on the run, and he lost his new carbon burgee to add to his pain.

Overall Charlie Cumbley was a worthy winner from Andy Davis, Mike Sims and Andy Couch. There were many good performances and cause for optimism for 2015 for those who want to break the hold of the top five. Sailors are putting in time on the water, seeking minuscule gear advantages and getting eyes tested and joints fixed to improve. There is a buzz around the boat park that next year will be a good one.

Thanks to Draycote Water S.C for providing excellent on and off the water management, a kick ass chilli and chips and a warm welcome. Congratulations to Charlie and all the competitors for their efforts this year in making this such a great fleet to film. Finally, special thanks to Noble Marine for their year round support of the N.S.C.A.

Full results can be found here.