SailingFast.co.uk Solo Circuit at Prestwick Sailing Club

SailingFast.co.uk Solo Circuit at Prestwick Sailing Club © Alan Henderson / www.fotoboat.com

Saturday 9th May saw the SailingFast.co.uk Solo Circuit heading for one of the fleet's favourite venues at Prestwick. The seventeen sailors that made the trip were rewarded with blue skies, good winds and well-run racing with the stunning outline of Arran as the backdrop.

There was a buzz around the boat park as the Medemblik Four returned from their trip to the Spring Cup in Holland ready to do battle again on home waters.

Stuart Gibson continued the good form he had shown the previous week in Medemblik and was quick out of the start to establish a good lead round the first windward mark in the gentle breeze. Alastair McLaughllin from the home club had borrowed the demo boat and rather rudely proceeded to embarrass the seasoned Solo sailors by jumping in the boat and chasing Stuart round in second for much of the race before kindly capsizing to spare the rest of the fleet their blushes.

Dave Sword and Hamish Whyte were both showing good speed and Andy Hutchinson was making his way through the fleet after a poor start, hitting the gybe mark and other schoolboy errors. In the end Stuart took a comfortable win with Andy second, Dave third and Hamish a close fourth.

Race two saw Keith Milroy sail a blinder of a first beat and pop out at the windward mark with a very healthy lead. The rest of the fleet gave chase and gradually reeled him in with Dave Sword, Kevan Gibb, Stuart, and Gary MacFarlane all in the mix. In the end Dave Sword took the win with Andy Hutch recovering from penalty turns to take second, Stuart third and Keith fourth.

So it was all to play for in the last race with Dave, Stuart and Andy all on equal points and able to take the event. With the breeze having increased to 15mph these three boats rounded the windward mark in 1, 2, 3 and had some great close racing in champagne conditions. The wave patterns and gybing angles made for some great downwind sailing with good gains to be made for those that got it right.

After two laps of close racing Andy Hutch got ahead to take the win followed by Dave, Stuart and Keith Milroy posting another fourth. David McClay from the home club showed that he'll be one to watch with a creditable 5th despite not having had the Solo for long, and it looks like the growing fleet of Solos at Prestwick will be in for some good club racing.

Next stop on Saturday 16th May is another favourite of the Solos, St Mary's Loch in the beautiful Scottish borders. Thanks to all at Prestwick for a great event.

Overall Results: