Magic Marine Solo class competition winners
by Will Loy 2 Apr 2018 10:07 BST
2 April 2018
Ian Hopwood totally committed to the power tack! © Gerard van den Hoek
Congratulations to Ian Hopwood and Paul Lucas who both win e-vouchers for the Magic Marine Photo of the Month competition for February and March.
Congratulations to Adrian Griffin and John Webster for winning the Magic Marine Class Roots Initiative Member of the Month competitions for February and March. Both Solo sailors receive Magic Marine e-vouchers for their dedication to the class.
Graham Cranford Smith interviews Adrian Griffin on location in Salcombe
It is my great honour to have interviewed this month's "Magic Marine, Solo Grass Roots nominee". I give you Adrian Griffin, Solo Fleet Captain, Salcombe Yacht Club. We meet Adrian in the kitchen of his country seat in Salcombe. He is conventionally attired for our discussion. Namely, chinos, deck shoes, and that is it.
Graham: When did you first set foot in a Solo and where was this?
Adrian: 1970 – Smalls Cove, when I bought 207. This was an Alec Stone built boat. All wood, including the mast.
Graham: How long did you keep this?
Adrian: I kept this boat until 1974 when I sold it to buy an MGA and thereafter went rallying.
Graham: (Note. Briefings are always referred to as "Driver's briefings" by Adrian, as a result.)
Graham: How many Solos have you owned?
Adrian: In all six:
- 207 – purchased from Chris Waterfield for £110 in 1970
- 2254 – purchased s/h in 1983 - composite, Kingsbridge Industrial Plastics / Alec Stone (a bit heavy)
- 3247 – ex. Harold Cranch, Malcolm Bell, Martin Payne – all wood Lovett
- 4587 Winder MkI – ex Alister Morley
- 5306 – Winder MkI - new
- 5734 – Winder MkII – new
Graham: Which was your favourite?
Adrian: 3247 for its looks; 5734 for its performance.
Graham: What is your favourite Solo memory?
Adrian: Winning the pursuit race in 2009 and being presented the award by Keith Musto.
Graham: What is your worst?
Adrian: How long have you got? Probably Torbay this summer, no wind, too much ballast, got beaten by my old boat.
Graham: How long have you been Solo SYC fleet captain?
Adrian: Not sure, it was so long ago, presumably since 2007 at least, as I remember doing the SYC 'Christmas Card' photo that summer ready to send to our regatta visitors in December.
Graham: To what do you attribute your success as Solo fleet captain?
Adrian: Communication, plus I don't think anyone else wants the job!
John Webster in his own words
John Webster has been a keen open meeting and championship sailor for a number of years in the Solo and his enthusiasm at club level is reflected in the quality of the fleet at Carsington.
"I started sailing at the age of 28 years following a broken leg playing football, I was looking for softer landing. Just looking forward to warmer water hopefully later in the season. So 44 years sailing and racing. Sunday was and is always race day, I have a very understanding wife, that said at Carsington we also have a Wednesday PM series which has been very well supported in its 10 month series. Wednesday afternoon/evening racing starts next week. We have an array of dinghies but most times Solo will be the highest number of any one type. After 20 years + in Scorpions middle age spread took over so got into 505's, what a fantastic boat to sail.
"These days sailing Solo, racing Solo, talking Solo and promoting Solo is where I am at. Long live the Solo dinghy and fleet.
"The best way to keep sailing fit is keep doing it. 'There is no such thing as bad weather just bad dress sense' that said if its white caps all over the course, these days I think twice. Looking forward to see as many Solo's as possible on the start line for the Solo Northern championships 12/13 May at Carsington. Not forgetting the Springs at Draycote 7th April.
"Regards and good health to all, keep it flat, tack on the shifts and always try to sail in clear wind and as a good friend once said "head out of the boat so you don't miss a trick", are you ready for the next gust coming?"
Photo of the Month - February/March
Ian Hopwood was captured in this striking pose (see top of page) by Gerard Vanden Hoek, the northern based sailor clearly totally committed to the power tack!
Paul Lucas from Avon Sailing Club was captured burying his Solo into the back of a wave following a gust from hell (see upper right). He survived but I doubt the mast did.
Both winners receive Magic Marine e-vouchers. Please do contact your fleet captain or a committee member with your nomination/photo for the April competition. Thanks to CEO Max Blom and UK representative George Kingsnorth at Magic Marine for their generous support of the class roots initiative.
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