Please select your home edition
Edition
Sea Sure 2025

Magic Marine Nation's Cup for Solos at Fraglia Vela Riva - Preview

by Will Loy 27 Jun 2018 17:26 BST
Magic Marine are the National Solo class title sponsor © Will Loy

This week the National Solo Class return to the mystical mecca that is Riva del Garda to contest the 2018 Magic Marine Nation's Cup. Organised by the Nederlandse Solo Klasse Organisatie, the Dutch equivalent to the NSCA and held at Fraglia Vela Riva which sits at the very North of the huge lake, it promises to be a memorable experience for all competitors.

This is the Solos fourth visit to Garda, 2004/06/14 provided some classic "Ora" conditions, some pretty amazing thunderstorms and epic downwind sailing amongst the 1000 ft high mountains. There are 51 pre entries with the UK representing 60% of the field and high calibre sailors in the form of current National Champion Charlie Cumbley who is returning to the scene where he narrowly lost out to Andy Couch in 2014. Cumbley has been pretty unbeatable since that defeat and sits at the top of the pecking order though Andy Tunnicliffe,

Tim Law, Oliver Davenport and Dutchman Peerke Kortekaas will be equally confident of becoming "king of the mountains". The Dutch also have other strong contenders for a top ten finish in man mountain Gerard Post and Ted Bakker who is showing big improvements in 2018. From a UK perspective potential race winner Ian Hopwood who is campaigning both the Solo and OK could well have a stella regatta if he can keep the stick above the water. Certainly, racing the OK has honed his balance and he does not lack bravery when the going gets tough.

Should the regular thermal activity not materialise, and let's be honest, it has been a pretty tough year for breeze, the likes of Claar van der Does, Tom Lonsdale and Mark Lee could well take a bullet or two.

Dutch class chairman Norbert Zonneveld has promised a fabulous regatta and their hospitality is second to none. NSCA Vice President Doug Latta will be holding up the honour for the NSCA and will no doubt match Norbert's speeches with wit and sentiment.

This promises to be an awesome event is the weather plays fair, certainly, with on-water jury Steve Watson on hand, the racing will be too.

Lastly, sincere thanks to Magic Marine for their continued support of the National Solo class both home and abroad and to Noble Marine who are providing much needed insurance to our sailors and their Solos.

Good luck to all competitors.

Related Articles

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Loch Venachar
A seriously breezy event amongst the beautiful Trossachs hills In the lead-up to this event in the HD Sails Scottish travellers series I was worried that sailing on an inland loch amongst the beautiful Trossachs hills in mid-summer meant that we would struggle with light and shifty winds from every direction. Posted on 1 Jul
Solos at Chipstead
20+ knots blowing down the lake for the Southern Series and Thames Series event Four races took place over the day with clear blue skies, in, gusty, shifty wind conditions 20+ knots blowing down the lake. Posted on 30 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 4
The final day of racing at Circolo Vela Bellano So, to the final day of racing and there would be three races planned before a prize-giving reception which would be held at the Palasole Pavilion later this evening. Posted on 25 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 3
Social evening proves universally popular with every seat taken Before I get into the action from day 3, first a quick recap on the previous evening's Italian themed Solo social which took place in the shaded area of the nearby Palasole Pavilion. This must have been a popular choice as every seat was taken. Posted on 25 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 2
Pin end starts and taking the left the order of the day The night had been sultry, and not in a Monica Bellucci kind of way, though I would have happily discarded my pyjamas in her presence. The skies had become overcast as the sun fell between the mountains on the western horizon. Posted on 24 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 1
Sunshine in Italy after a storm hits on the day before I awoke to the unfamiliar roar of an engine turbine as it throttled up, the local ferry utilising a hydrofoil system that, from the estimated weight of the beast, required as much thrust as the flux capacitor could give her to hit 88 miles an hour. Posted on 23 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 0
Circolo Vela Bellano continues to welcome Solos through its gates Circolo Vela Bellano, nestled on the banks of the eastern side of Lake Como continues to welcome Solos through its gates in readiness for what is effectively the European Championship. Posted on 21 Jun
Solo class Midlands Area event at Shustoke
Would bringing the event forward a month change their wind fortunes? It had been 11 months since the last Solo class open meeting at Shustoke SC which saw very light and at times non existent wind. Would bringing the event forward a month change our wind fortunes? Posted on 17 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Garda preview
With 63 entries and counting, it promises to be THE biggest Championship of 2025 There is only one Solo event in Italy this year and given that every other class has decided to go to Lake Garda, the venue of Lake Como ensured we got a big fleet and with 63 entries and counting, it promises to be THE biggest Solo Championship of 2025. Posted on 14 Jun
Scottish Solo Championships at East Lothian
Charlie Brecknell wins after steadily improving over the last few seasons The HD sails Scottish Solo championship was held as part of the North Berwick regatta on June 7/8. It was an opportunity to sail on the same waters where the Solo National Championships will be held in early August. Posted on 13 Jun