The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy at the WPNSA

The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy at the WPNSA - Preview

by Will Loy 16 Jun 2015 13:17 BST 20-21 June 2015

Nigel Pusinelli waiting to launch in 1976 © Solo class

Alastair Morley on the reach © David Gates

Charlie Cumbley © Will Loy

We are midway through the season and with a number of majors under the belt the fleet are set to return to Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy to contest the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy.

Nigel served his country in the war and was evacuated from Dunkirk and awarded the Military cross for rescuing a brother under fire. In peacetime he joined the colonial service and was based near Fiji. Of his time there he said, ‘‘it was like living in a perpetual holiday climate but having to work all hours to keep on top of the files’’. Relocated to Aden he became director of establishments and was later awarded the CMG and OBE for his outstanding service to country or as he said, “for holding the fort’’. He likened the problems encountered in Aden as “ rather like a Northern Ireland with several groups of terrorists all fighting us’’.

Nigel Pusinelli was one of the founder members of the N.S.C.A and sailed his National Solo at Emsworth S.C. and then Chichester Y.C. for over thirty years. He was still racing and attending the national Championships well in to his eighties and received a special award at the 1995 Nationals in recognition of his involvement of the class. Nigel was a very unassuming man, his winning speeches, of which he made many were a joy to the ear, such was his grasp of the spoken word. Nigel Pusinelli was presented with A Lifetime Achievement Award by HRH Princess Anne on his retirement from the RYA.

Nigel passed away in July 2010 and the pre-championship event at Weymouth was re-named in his honour.

History

The inaugural event was held in 2008 and the fleet were greeted to champagne sailing and impeccable race management, two qualities which have been repeated every year since. Jim Hunt took a dominant win in the Boon/North laminate/D+ ahead of Cliff Crawshaw in his fathers hull and Salcombe’s Chris Cleaves.

2009 - Alistair Morley took the title, the Salcombe based sailor gaining four bullets in his overall score. A whopping turnout of 48 Solos’ a format of best five from six races, two tough attritional days racing but many smiles. Charlie Cumbley was cutting his teeth in the Solo and his second place result was an indication of has skill. Chris Brown took third, the midland based journeyman always seems to make the podium. On the equipment front the Winder/North SM8/Cumulus took the construction title (totally unofficial).
2010 - Word was getting around that this venue was providing the racing and facilities that few could rival and the 54 entries reflected the enthusiasm. The conditions were classic Weymouth sun, wind and waves and Charlie Cumbley went one better to take the title. Matt Howard was honing his skills and finished second with Jim Hunt third. The Boon/North ST1/D+ took the construction bragging rights.
2011 - A forecast of strong winds did not deter the 47 sailors and the conditions on day one were fabulous. Day two dawned windy but the race management know that anyone who rocks up to the venue of the 2012 Olympics must be able to handle such conditions so out we went. What followed was a heavy airs master class from Matt Howard who took the win from Jim Hunt (who won race 5) and Michael Sims. The Boon/North ST1/D+ continued to be the winners choice.
2012 - With the club ramping up the on and off course organization ahead of the Olympics there was a great turnout of 43 National Solos’ to contest the fifth running of the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy. Michael Sims took a hard earned win with legend Tim Law second and Cliff Crawshaw third. The weekend was especially memorable for the squall that ripped through the fleet on day 2 and the resultant torn quadriceps as we tried to keep our Solos’ flat and upright. The Winder/P+B/D+ took the constructors title.
2013 - Post Olympics and the fleet were reduced to 37 by a poor forecast giving the WPNSA secretary a heart attack thinking that no one would turn up. Windguru’s very accurate forecast team and the National Solos’ historical lack of pre-entering are just two reasons not to want to be the caterer at an event where the forecast is 1 mph and the Solos’ are coming. Fortunately the weather enabled four races in light to moderate winds and Andy Tunnicliffe took the trophy home with Tim Law once again second and Michael Sims third. The Winder/Goacher/D+ took the construction rights.
2014 - 35 entries, sun and wind, a backdrop of the Jurassic coastline and enough changing rooms for one each, what is not to like. Charlie Cumbley came back to the scene of his 2010 win and repeated it ahead of the young pretender, Pete Mitchell and the ever consistent Michael Sims third. The construction title went to the Speed Mk 5.5/North SK1/D+.

And so, with one week to go until the eighth running of the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy the scene is set. Charlie Cumbley, the current national Champion will be looking to defend this pre-championship event. Other notables are bound to be Andy Davis, Michael Sims, The Mitchells’ father and son, Hopwood the capsize king, a hatful of salcombe hotshots, a bag full of Midland and northerners, a sprinkling of Scotsmen who are the most amazing chaps who travel the length of the country to have a go at the English hoards and many others with intentions on the title. Nigel would be pleased.

I will be there to video it all. Make yourself famous. Also, pre-book with WPNSA to help them organize the event.

The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy forms part of the North Sails Super Series.

Ten of the major events on the NSCA calendar have been selected, just compete on four to qualify to be in the free draw at the EOS event in October. Prizes include, Rooster kit, Milanes Foils rudder, Winder Stock, Superspar boom, Ronstan Watches, C2 Marine Nitesticks, Creation Cover, discounts on Noble Marine Insurance and the top prize of a new North Sails SK2 mainsail.