Solo Open at Rollesby Broad Sailing Club

After Saturday's war of attrition at nearby Hickling, it was with some pleasure to aching bodies that sunny conditions and force 2 to 3 winds greeted 5 to add to the home fleet of 9 boats (75% of boats in the club) for Rollesby's Solo Open on Sunday 7th June.

Having not sailed the previous day Steve Ede was fresh and ready for battle. The westerly wind meant several short beats across the broad with emphasis very much on boat handling and mark rounding ability. Having escaped the fleet early in race 1 Ede sailed away to a commanding win. Ian Ayres, James Culley and Peter Matthews were very close behind early on before Culley fell back into the grip of the pack whilst the front three established the pecking order for the day. In race 2 Ayres and Roger Wilson led at the first mark before Ede and Ayres again worked themselves clear of the fleet, Wilson just held on from a rapidly gaining Matthews for third.

With a change of wind direction to the north and an increase in strength over lunch a change of course gave the opportunity for some longer beats and a bit more space between manoeuvres. After a sharp start Ede and Ayres enjoyed a good lead from early on with the rest of the fleet jockeying for position on the long run down the broad. Robert Hawkins with Matthews and Richard Christmas hot on his heels used the slight longer legs to his advantage to secure third. With the top two places already confirmed the leaders did not have to sail race 4 but elected to do so with Ayres leading Ede for quite a while until a boat capsizing between them gave Ede the edge with an easier avoiding action! Matthews and Christmas again made a small break on the pack and with that the minor places overall.

Overall Results:

1. Steve Ede, 5608, 3pts
2. Ian Ayres, 5232, 6pts
3. Peter Matthews, 4700, 11pts
4. Richard Christmas, 5243, 14pts
5. Robert Hawkins, 5472, 16pts