Solo Open at Portchester Sailing Club

Competitors rigging at the Portchester Solo Open © Alex Butler & Guy Mayger

James Boyce blowing his own trumpet at the Portchester Solo Open © Alex Butler & Guy Mayger

An impressive fleet of 21 Solos from as far afield as Essex descended on historic Portchester on a damp and grey day, not the weather we had become accustomed to in recent months. On the plus side though a decent breeze was forecast and overall, we got lucky with only minimal moisture from the leaden sky.

After the sailors had fuelled up on their bacon sandwiches, we were briefed by race officer Paul Oakey. Following on from the recent Nationals a sausage triangle course was to be sailed to keep the racing nice and tight. Good news for those 13 boats who'd attended you'd think, but at least one had to be reminded of the course mid-race (5691!).

The sailors launched from under the lee of the castle into a 15 knot southerly, which built over the duration, and made their way to the race course opposite the club. The start line was fairly flat for race 1 with a good spread of boats along the line. After the start it was those who started nearer the committee boat who benefited from an increase in pressure from the right, from then on up to the top mark it was those who played the shifts best that rounded first. Guy Mayger came out on top earning a President's beer token (well, soda and lime), followed by Alex Butler and Alex Davies, with Vince Horey and James Boyce hot on their heels. Boyce continued his march through the field, closing in on Butler by the last windward mark and taking him downwind to claim victory. Butler was second and Mayger was third. Vince took fourth and Alex (I'm only a 505 crew) Davies held on for fifth.

The race team wasted no time in getting race 2 underway, this time the line had more pin end bias on it creating more of a bunch at that end. Most boats tacked on to port after the start, but it was those that carried on on starboard out to the left that took advantage of the increasing wind strength and left shift. This provided a particularly exciting first windward mark rounding with Tim Lewis coming in on port tack and just managing to slot into the line of starboard tack boats. Vince kindly offered some words of advice! James was now fully into his stride and sailed a smart tactical race positioning himself between the windward mark and his challengers whilst holding good speed on the downwind legs. Another win for James, and thus the Open, closely followed by Guy in second and a speedy Johny Wells in third. Vince took another fourth place whilst Doug Latta, our new class President, showed some form with a fifth. Behind the leading boats the racing was very close as is typical of all Solo events and many inter-fleet rivalries were played out.

Similarly, the third race started on a pin end biased line and again those who came in from the left gained from a left-hand shift. Memories of the Nationals for many! Boyce led from start to finish pulling out a sizable lead, again showing great pace and tactics. Meanwhile, close racing was occurring for the next few places contested by Rob Bellfield (the Admiral), Mayger and Butler. Mayger won out after both he and Alex rather rudely slid passed Rob on the final run before the short beat to the finish. Vince broke his run of fourths to finish fifth.

The day's events left James Boyce as our worthy winner (his only tactical error of the day being that he'd left his towel at home!) ahead of Guy Mayger in second and Alex Butler third overall. First Portchester boat was Alex Davies.

The sailors returned ashore to a well-earned afternoon tea and prize giving with trophies kindly provided by event sponsors Sailing Awards. To round the day off James had the honour of blowing his own trumpet in line with Portchester tradition.

Many thanks go to Paul Oakey and his race team for setting excellent courses and for keeping the Solo fleet well-disciplined on the start line. Thanks also to the team on shore for looking after the trollies and for providing such an excellent spread of sandwiches and cakes!

Overall Results: