Solo Northern and Midland Area Open at Ogston Sailing Club

Solos at Ogston © Philip Wilson

29 boats arrived to a light overcast morning with little to no wind. The forecast had predicted a North-westerly but after a quick inspection, PRO Philip Wilson and family decided a small postponement might be in order.

Following the briefing the competitors go out on the water to a light Westerly and by the time the first start got underway the PRO had seen the wind come from every compass point as well as none. Finally, the wind settled to a fluky North Westerly Force 2 with frequent 20-degree shift, and 15 knot gusts blowing through, what a fun day it would turn out to be.

Race 1 saw a 30-degree wind shift with 20 seconds to go, Innes Armstrong parked up on the pin, together with Phil Barnes, the rest of the fleet flipping on to Port for a quick sprint to the first mark, with a perfect start from Tim Hand. Local veteran Martin Honnor and Tim rounded one and two followed by a big group including new comer to the Solos, Tim Sadler. Martin extended his lead and even after Sadler's excellent 3rd beat, went on to take the first race, followed by Sadler in second and Steve Denison in 3rd place.

Solos at Ogston - photo © Philip Wilson

With Chilli and Pasta, followed by Lemon Tart awaiting the competitors, lunch was served before the fleet got back out on the water for 2 afternoon races back-2-back. The breeze had settled in as a North-westerly as forecast, but still with several big shifts. Race 2 got underway with a clean start, except the unlucky Mr Ian Hopwood, just slightly OCS. Innes was first to the windward mark, and he never looked back, going on to win comfortably. The remaining places changed regularly, with Honnor and Stephen Graham taking a bath up wind and Tim Sadler and Denison doing the same on the 2 gybe marks. Ian Ingram, having stayed upright went on to a strong 4th place, Tim Hand 2nd and Martin 3rd.

Race 3 got away cleanly, apart from Ogston Solo class captain Colin Coombs, he was OCS and upside down, and Hopwood and Brown who pulled the trigger too early again, oh dear! Innes was first to the windward mark, followed closely by Honnor and a pack of 5 of 6 boats all coming down the run on pressure. Innes squeezed round the first gybe mark and was away not to be seen again, finishing a strong first. Philip Barnes gybes his way in to 2nd and didn't look back followed by Ian Ingram for a 3rd.

Overall finish positions were Innes Armstrong, Martin Honnor second and Ian Ingram third. In addition to the Ogston Open results, there were results for the popular Midland/Northern Mini Series, a combination of results from the second day at Carsington earlier in the year, Notts County last month and Ogston today. Overall winner was Chris Brown from Draycote Water SC, second went to Marin Honnor, Ogston SC and 3rd to Philip Barnes from Budworth SC.

Overall Results: