50th Solo Open at Broadwater Sailing Club
by Steve Troll 19 Mar 2018 14:58 GMT
11 March 2018
Upwind during the Broadwater Solo Open © John Greaves
An excellent turnout marked Broadwater's proud 50th year of staging the BSC Solo Open. Early concerns over the promised gales were dispelled during the week and by the morning of the event we were met by a very promising 10 gusting to 20 mph Easterly.
Entrants came from far and wide and represented 18 different sailing clubs throughout the UK. The fleet included previous winners and the whole event was well supported by members and friends of Broadwater including Geoff Walford who won the event in 1978 and whose son, David Walford also raced in this year's event.
The wind arrived on time for the start of the first race which saw rather too much enthusiasm from the large fleet and resulted in a general recall. Under the threat of a black flag, the fleet got off well the second time and the lead group hit the end of the beat without incident but then, as the fleet hit the end of the first run, the wind dropped allowing everyone to group up and cause mayhem before clearing the mark. The race then settled down and a clear pecking order established as the fleet made its way around the Broadwater islands.
Race one was won by Peter Mitchell and followed up by Roger Bennett and Paul Playle.
A hearty Broadwater lunch was enjoyed by all before back-to-back races two and three commenced.
Race two saw conditions changing again and resulted in a course change to accommodate the shifting wind. A clean start once again saw many of the top-notch visitors stretching out the fleet. With the wind still not freshening quite as expected there were clear groups forming each having their own mini battles.
Race two was won by Roger Bennett followed up by Leonard Creaser and Richard Lovering.
Race three saw reduced numbers with some opting for an early tea, however the top 10 battled it out for a place amongst the prize winners and after three laps of the lake finally crossed the line in a dying wind.
Peter Mitchell, secured his second win of the day, (and sealed overall victory in the event) with Richard Lovering in second and Vince Horey in third.
This event has always been well supported, being the first of the year and an opportunity to get the new season off to a good start.
This being the 50th celebration means that the legendary BSC Solo Open Chessboard trophy is getting quite full, only 14 years to go before we need a new one!
The first winner was A. Blackwell sailing Solo number 665 in 1968 and also from this year's entrants, Vince Horey in 2015 and Godfrey Clark in 2016. There was no winner in 2017 as the event was cancelled due to the weather conditions.
Overall Results: (top three)
1st Peter Mitchell
2nd Roger Bennett
3rd Richard Lovering
Pete's name will soon be engraved into a vacant square and the trophy will be displayed in the Broadwater Clubhouse, ready and waiting for 2019's winner!