Solo Open at Chelmarsh Sailing Club

Chelmarsh Solo Open © Terry Gumbley

Chelmarsh Solo Open © Terry Gumbley

After weather forecasts ranging from thunder storms to no wind and back again, the weather was reasonably kind, not to give us the forecast rain and to give us plenty of wind with a nice F2 in the morning and a f2-f4 wind in the afternoon! 23 boats with 12 visitors all managed to arrive at the lake despite most SatNavs trying to send you down a gravel road.

The OOD held his nerve as the wind shifted after carefully setting his start line and it shifted back seconds before the gun. Chris Brown was over the start but shot round the end, went hard right and got off to his now usual first race win, but in the afternoon slipped to a 3rd and a black flag for straying course side under the U flag. Ian Ingram was Mr consistent gaining three 2nds which was very impressive as the first ten places where very mixed.

Race two was won by Bob Suggitt who disappeared like a scalded cat and race three was won by the hard working Midland Area rep, Nigel Davies. In the end the top three all had the same points but Nigel came out on top by winning the last race.

Congratulations also to Gareth Wilkinson who was first Chelmarsh boat, also winning the Fernhurst Books Vintage Boat Prize coming 5th.

All competitors enjoyed fabulous fare from the galley prior to racing and during the break, returning to scrumptious home made cakes after sailing. Racing was run by Richard Coates and his efficient team, the safety boat crews being tested by one or two, including me!

Overall Results: