Harken Solo End of Season Championships at Oxford - Preview
by Will Loy 22 Oct 2015 15:52 BST
24-25 October 2015
North Sails Super Series trophy © Will Loy
This Saturday, National Solos from around the UK will converge on Oxford Sailing Club to compete in the last "major" event on the Solo calendar, the Harken EoS (End of Season) Championship. This also forms part of the North Sails Super Series and the final act will decide who wins overall.
With 9 events done there are 25 qualifiers so far but there are a further possible 24 competitors needing the EOS result to give them the necessary 4 event criteria. All qualifiers will be entered into the prizegiving draw and with over £2500 worth of Solo goods up for grabs, we expect a packed clubhouse post race.
What they are fighting for
The North Sails Super Series Trophy is the creation of Class President Will Loy, and our reporter was lucky enough to interview him in between projects.
Reporter: Where did you find the inspiration to create this amazing piece of art?
WL: I looked at the shape of a National Solo hull and copied it.
Reporter: I see you have married the old and the new with the use of century old oak, shaped and weathered by the attrition of the Sea and the smooth and subtle curves of the hull, created with the finest Roman sculpting clay. There is obviously a story you are telling about the origins of the Solo, from Jack Holt's plywood creation to the very modern FRP constructed version, so prevalent in clubs across the UK and in Holland.
WL: I found the wood on the beach and eBay for the clay.
Reporter: I notice that the piece is set at quite an alarming angle. What picture were you trying to purvey to the members?
WL: True, the angle is 45 degrees which is also the longitude of Madagascar, one of my favourite movies. Seriously though, This is the exact angle that most of the fleet sail their National Solos upwind in a force 6. It is just the ones at the front who are the spoilers.
Reporter: Do you have any other works in the pipeline, any commissioned pieces you can give us a written glimpse of?
WL: My client confidentiality restricts the exact nature of the items but a capsized Solo in one piece with the title "Capsize King" is just waiting to be sculpted. Unfortunately, the client in question has improved this year. There are a couple of pieces with just the transom visible, these are what most of the fleet see and would go to Cumbley, Davis, Sims and Tunnicliffe.
Reporter: One final question, I see the America's Cup Bermuda Trophy balances perfectly, re-aligning itself when rocked. Does your work have any hidden quality?
WL. It floats.
Prize details
YOU DO HAVE TO BE AT THE PRIZEGIVING to be in with a chance of winning, otherwise the ticket will be re-drawn! Do not worry if you are unable to qualify as there will also be Harken prizes which will be awarded on the day.
Our title sponsor, North Sails have been incredibly generous in supplying a brand new North SK2 and Charlie Cumbley will be on hand to stick the sail numbers to the winners sail. How is that for service?!
Other suppliers who support the class with their continued enthusiasm have been equally generous.
The North Sails Super Series Draw Prize Fund (listed in the order they will be awarded):
- North Sail SK2 with the winner's sail numbers
- Phil Milanes rudder blade
- Dave Winder rudder stock
- Rooster Supertherm Long john L
- Rooster Supertherm Top L
- Rooster Pro Aquafleece L
- Rooster Pro Beanie
- C2 marine Carbon Nitestick 1.1
- C2 Marine Carbon Nitestick 1.2
- Superspar boom (rigged) voucher
- Creation undercover
- Ronstan Clear Start watch (pending)
- Ronstan Clear Start watch (pending)
- Noble Marine £50 discount voucher x 2
The likely suspects
Andy Davis currently heads the series with wins at the Spring Champs, Welsh Champs, Scottish Champs and the Harken Inland Championship and has an unassailable lead. The HD Sails man has been dominant throughout 2015 and is a worthy winner of this inaugural series.
Pete Mitchell sits in second overall but will be competing at the Scorpion EoS. That leaves the door open for Chris Brown who is third ahead of Dave Mitchell and Vince Horey. Nigel Davies, Jonathan Swain, Ian Hopwood, Kevin Gibb and Mark Lee complete the top ten. Mike Sims could be in the mix for a top three finish overall if he attends.
Congratulations to those who have already qualified and huge thanks to our main sponsor North Sails and also to Milanes Foils, Winder Boats, Rooster Sailing, C2 Marine, Creation Covers, Ronstan, Superspar and to our Class sponsor Noble Marine who support the NSCA throughout the year and provide the class members with a fantastic service.
Current weather predictions indicate a healthy breeze so we are looking at a BIG turnout and competitive racing throughout the fleet. Look out for the report, photos and action video. Better still, hitch your National Solo up and get involved, I will be there to film you!.