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Solo Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

by David Walford 19 May 2021 13:41 BST 16 May 2021

Fishers Green Sailing Club held their annual Solo Open Meeting on Sunday 16th May 2021. The forecast was for variable conditions with prevailing wind from a southerly direction. This was proven to be the case with winds varying from a force 2 / gusting force 3 after lunch. This being preceded by lighter winds and also a dead calm for a short time.

It was pleasing to see 37 entrants on the start line which included 18 club members. As we know racing during the last 15 months has been challenging when taking into account the COVID - 19 pandemic alongside lockdown restrictions. As such Sunday preceded the latest lockdown change and an opportunity for all to travel / meet up outside and compete away from respective home clubs.

For Fishers Green Sailing Club a record attendance this century and thanks go to all that travelled alongside club members. How many time did I hear ' It is good to be on the Open Circuit again, meet up with fellow Solo helms and compete away from my home club within a large and competitive fleet ' A 3 Race event giving the opportunity to discard one result. With southerly winds the Race Officer was able to use the entire length of the lake, set a long start line across the lake and a simple course which was to liked by all.

Race 1 - light winds and a pin ended favoured start. A general recall which seemed to feature during the day. A predominantly starboard sided beat to the windward mark followed by a short reach and then long run back to the leeward mark. Gains were made / lost on the beat and run as the wind speed varied and slightly changed direction. Alan Bishop (5723) was 1st closely following by Steve Ede (5804) and Vince Horey (5850).

Race 2 - this race started in lighter and a fading breeze. A clean start with neither a favoured pin end or committee boat end. During the first beat the heavens opened / the wind changed direction and then disappeared altogether leaving no option but to abandon and return to the clubhouse for an early lunch.

Race 2 (part 2) - during lunch a slightly stronger breeze returned with brighter conditions all round. After 2 further general recalls the race got under way with balanced sided beat to the windward mark. A reach and then a long run with the odd plane back to the leeward mark. Alan (5723) prevailed again in 1st place with a long lead to win the event. A group then followed with Mark Maskell (5779) in 2nd and Steve Conroy club member (5328) in 3rd.

Race 3 - the stronger wind conditions remained with a clean start and a slight course change to another windward mark. As the fleet progressed up the first beat the conditions became tricky - gusts of wind alongside numerous changes in direction. Another long and enjoyable two - sided run prior to a return to the long beat. Positions were lost / gained during the directional wind changes on the beat and on the run when choosing the time to jibe. Local helm / club member Paul Rayson (5181) prevailed in 1st place with a good lead. He was followed by James Goodfellow (5919) in 2nd and Steve (5328) again in 3rd place.

Overall a great event enjoyed by all and a credit to all at Fishers Green sailing Club for their organisation / hospitality etc. It was great to get back on the water within a large / competitive Solo Fleet away from respective home clubs.

Final positions within the top 5 were initially calculated incorrectly when taking into consideration the local SI 17.3. The prizes for the top 3 were similar so overall not problematic.

Overall Results:

PosBoat NameSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3Pts
1st 5723Alan BishopGirton SC11(DNF)2
2nd 5819James GoodfellowArdleigh SC‑4426
3rdBear Hunter5181Paul RaysonFishers Green5‑816
4thInSincere5328Steve ConroyFishers Green‑10336
5th 5779Mark MaskellBlackwater YC‑6268
6th 5850Vince HoreyKing George SC35‑88
7th 5804Steve EdeArdleigh SC26‑108
8thGybe Talkin4801Godfrey ClarkFishers Green7‑134.511.5
9th 5649Steven BishopGirton SC‑12114.515.5
10th 5704Tim LewisBA Silver Wing9‑12716
11thRoxanne5206Chris HillFishers Green‑147916
12th 5068Richard CoulterFishers Green‑21101424
13th 5638Dave WalfordFishers Green159(DNF)24
14th 5904Patrick OversPaxton Lakes‑18141630
15th 5180Paul PlayleBA Silver Wing13‑201730
16th 4325Jack KnightHunts SC‑23191130
17th 5372Mike AtkinsonFishers Green11‑241930
18th 5259Roger WilsonRollesby Broad SC1715‑1832
19th 5597Jonny WellsEssex YC‑35171532
20th 3552Alan RobertsLeigh on Sea(DNC)221234
21st 5020Geoff HolmesFishers Green2016‑2436
22nd 4486Blake NewmanFishers Green25‑311338
23rd 5314Tony TyeArdleigh SC‑27182139
24th 5226Keith SmithFishers Green‑22212041
25th 4287Matt ManciniFishers Green19‑262645
26th 5768Simon MaskellHunts SC8(DNC)DNC46
27th 4511Martin JarvisFishers Green‑29232548
28th 4471Nick PighillsFishers Green‑31252348
29th 4127Simon WilliamsFishers Green‑33272249
30th 5719Toby SmithEssex YC2428(DNF)52
31st 5607David ReekieKing George SC16(DNC)DNC54
32nd 5084Andrew SkeetArdleigh SC‑30292756
33rd 5329John WhiteFishers Green‑36302858
34th 5819Phil SturmerBrightlingsea26(DNC)DNC64
35thHissin Sid4571Richard PiperFishers Green28(DNC)DNC66
36th 4022Dick ReynoldsFishers Green32(DNC)DNC70
37thBagpuss4793Roger CastleFishers Green34(DNC)DNC72

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