The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy Preview
by Will Loy 9 Jun 2018 14:32 BST
16-17 June 2018
Racing at WPNSA, head left if it's a westerly © Will Loy
With just six weeks until the biggest UK National Solo event, the Magic Marine National Championship (HISC, 78 pre entries already), WPNSA will be host to the pre-champs, the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy.
The two day event at Weymouth (16-17 June) is the perfect warm-up for competitors who need to brush up on the lumpy stuff technique and though racing takes place within the palatial compound of the harbour, provides a stiff 0.75 nautical beat to test even the largest of quadriceps.
While the 2012 Olympics is just a distant memory the vibe is still electric and the race management on point.
Facilities are opulent in size though there seemed to be more children's changing rooms than adult men's last time so we hope the club can open up the *V.I.P one for us.
Six races scheduled over the two days and an early prize giving Sunday will allow the visitors to get away before the tourists block all routes out of Portland. This event really is a top quality regatta and if the wind blows from the West will produce some epic racing conditions, that is why they built it there!
As part of the North Sails Super Series it will attract a top quality field though pre-entries are as per usual, lackadaisical. Early forecasts predict 11-13 knots Saturday, increasing to 14-20 on Sunday and predictably, from the West. I will be away but am hoping to get a pro photographer in place to capture the action, just remember to buy the prints.
Nigel Pusinelli Trophy History
Nigel exemplified the Solo ethos, very much Dunkirk spirit and he raced on the estuary at Chichester for a great many years, competing at National Championships to well into his eighties, an absolute gentleman on and off the water. One of the early group of enthusiasts who saw the Solo go "National", rubbing shoulders with other pillars of the class including Frank Mountifield, Alec Stone and Sue Tyler. Nigel won the Veterans Salver 5 times in a row from 1975, a feat only surpassed by our Chief Measurer and ex President Gordon Barclay.
I had the pleasure to race against Nigel at Chichester Y.C. and at various Nationals and have fond memories of watching him gracefully steer his Solo upwind, very much akin to the great Andy Davies.
The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy represents more than just a qualification for a new sail, it is the relationship between competitor and Solo to battle against stern opposition and to overcome the elements that the sea delivers.
The North Sails Super Series incorporates 10 of our Major events and 5 area championships, of which 1 is included in the final score. To qualify for the chance to win a new North Sail at the EOS prize draw, competitors just need to compete in 4 events to receive a prize draw ticket though further events equal more tickets!
It is still early in the series but already Laurence Creaser has taken a hold with a 9-10-1 in the Majors. Nigel Davies is showing good form in second from Chris Brown, Vice President Doug Latta and flying Scotsman Patrick Burns. The area qualification results will not be factored in until the final one has been completed so things will change dramatically!
Let's not forget, WPNSA is the venue for the 2019 National Championship, a 4 day regatta which should see the class hit the 100 entry barrier!
Get yourself down to Weymouth and Portland Sailing Academy next weekend, you are guaranteed a cracking weekend.
Big thank-you's to North Sails, Noble Marine and Magic Marine who continue to support the National Solo and make it such a great class!