Solution Inland Championship at Chase Sailing Club

Ten Solutions travelled from across the country to gather at Chase Sailing Club on a cold and very wet Saturday morning, joined by the Supernova fleet.

The race officer made good use of the light north easterly breeze to set a figure of 8 course. There were lots of shifts and holes in the wind, but it held on and never died completely, leading to some close and exciting racing.

True to form the fleet got a clean start, and true to form Christian Smart quickly established a lead which he held to the finish. Newcomer Peter Blackman and Martin Tubb had a close battle from the first windward mark all the way to the finish line for second place, with Peter taking the honours. Jack Turnbull led the remainder of the fleet home to take fourth.

The cold and wet committee boat team just managed to stave off hyperthermia and everyone was happy to return to the club house to warm up with a hot soup before venturing out again for 2 back to back races.

Solution Inlands at Chase SC - photo © Isabel Tate

Paul Nix led at one stage but was overhauled and Christian took 2 more bullets in back to back races, and despite a lot of place changes in position Paul improved on his earlier result to take 2 seconds, with Rob Main and Jack each earning a third and fourth place.

Everyone enjoyed the home cooked two course dinner and the good range of ales in the club house on Saturday evening. Newcomers Peter and Marcus were both welcomed into the Solution and VW camper club.

Sunday dawned dry and bright for what was a lovely autumn day. Saturday's Supernovas were replaced by the Lightnings, who eagerly rigged their boats despite the lake looking like a millpond. The somewhat dubious Solution fleet launched at the last minute for the 11am start, however as if by magic the wind filled in from the west. No prizes for guessing that Christian took the win, while club mate Rob Main sailed well to take second with Martin taking third.

Solution Inlands at Chase SC - photo © Isabel Tate

The wind increased during the afternoon, but there were large shifts and holes making the conditions difficult. With 2 discards the overall Solution Inlands winner was not in doubt and Christian took an early bath and left it to the rest of the fleet to battle it out in the final two races in what was probably the best conditions of the weekend.

In race 5 Paul built a safe lead ahead of Martin and Peter who were neck and neck, but a huge wind shift on the beat all but eradicated this and they caught him up on the next downwind leg. An error at the leeward mark let Martin and Peter through, but Paul managed to re-pass Martin to take second with Peter taking a well-earned win.

In the final race Kathryn found her form and decided that it was time to show the boys how it's done and led from start to finish. Paul and Martin took their by now familiar second and third places, which mirrored their overall positions. Rob Main looked to be in contention at one stage but dropped back slightly to take fourth just ahead of local sailor Andy Jukes.

Solution Inlands at Chase SC - photo © Isabel Tate

After 5 events, Paul, Kevin and Martin are all tied on 18 points for the Solution Traveller's series, with another 4 sailors close behind and still in with a shout of winning the wooden fish, which is much nicer than it sounds! So it's still wide open with just the Ovington inlands at Grafham in November remaining.

A big thanks to everyone at Chase Sailing Club for their great hospitality as ever and well managed racing. Thanks also to Marine 13 for sponsoring the prizes.

Overall Results: