Solo Open at Burwain Sailing Club

Burwain Solo Open (l-r) Martin Honner, Steve Denison Ian Hopwood, Andy Tunnicliffe & Stephen Graham © Philip Barnes

'Not for the faint hearted'

Race 1

Philip Barnes took an early lead in the first race which he held comfortably for the first lap. Stephen Graham, Martin Horner, Innes Armstrong and Mike Cowan, Ian Hopwood and Andy Tunnicliffe challenged for and traded places numerous times in the chasing pack, which typified the close and competitive nature of the sailing throughout the day. While the prevailing wind strength kept sails powered up, the constant gusts and shifts provided plenty of opportunity to make gains both up and down wind. Eventually, Ian Hopwood was able to pull out from the pack and haul in and pass the lead boat after which he didn't look back. Andy Tunnicliffe passed Philip Barnes in the closing stages to take 2nd place with Philip taking 3rd.

Race 2

Conditions strengthened slightly for the start of the second race. Ian Hopwood reached the windward mark in 1st position losing out briefly to Mike Cowan until he capsized on a windy gybe mark. Again the chasing pack continued to trade places in very tight racing until Steve Denison managed to break free to put Ian Hopwood under some pressure on next series of downwind legs. Ian responded brilliantly and held on until the finish. Martin Honner also sailed well to escape the pack and claim 3rd place thus keeping him in contention for 2nd place overall.

Race 3

Once again, the conditions for the start of the third race remained challenging and after a general recall when the committee boat slipped it's anchor (sorry about that!) the fleet were under way. Rounding the windward mark in 1st was, once again, Ian Hopwood closely followed by Martin Honner, Steve Denison and Andy Tunnicliffe. But clearly the hard days sailing and plenty of gybing was starting to take it's toll on the fleet. Before the end of the first lap Martin Brennan and Nick Hornsby had succumbed to a racing incident, while the seemingly unstoppable Ian Hopwood relinquished the lead under pressure from some excellent sailing by Martin Honner. Unfortunately it wasn't to last as Martin proceeded to give up the lead with a spectacular 'gybing capsize' in front of the club house, much to the delight of Ian and the spectators and following Martin's example, more sailors decided to seek refuge in the water. Positions at the front of the fleet however consolidated, with Ian sailing to his 3rd victory of the day followed in by Steve Denison and Andy Tunnicliffe meaning the final race mirrored the overall positions.

Overall Results:

1st Ian Hopwood (Nantwich & Borders SC)
2nd Steve Denison (RYA)
3rd Andy Tunnicliffe (Burwain SC)