Rooster Solo National Championship 2021 - Overall

National Champion Andy Davis receives the trophy at the Rooster Solo National Championship © Will Loy

PRO Peter Jelliss receives a gift from the NSCA class President Patrick Burns at the Rooster Solo National Championship © Will Loy

I arrived at Mounts Bay Sailing Club promptly at 8.45a.m. keen to ensure I would not miss the boat. Apparently, last night I had been awarded Wally of the Day having missed my ride out to yesterday's 'racing'. I would argue that I should have been awarded the common sense prize but there is no requirement for that in this fleet if race 3 is anything to go by.

Saint Michael's Mount stood majestic, slightly shrouded in the morning mist, its distorted shape reflected in the glassy surface of the water. No wind then. I reduced my walking pace from shuffle to crawl, my fitbit re-calibrating my target for the hour to 50 paces.

The coffee vender was already running low on beans, the few left in the grinder jostling for position to be chosen next. Competitors sat in small groups, or should I call them bubbles, scanning their phone apps for some hope of an indication of wind.

Championship Organiser Steve Ede, who has once again done an amazing job in arranging this regatta, explained that we should hold off on a decision until 1pm.

The Championship is balanced on a knife edge with just 4 points separating the top two sailors so any chance to race must override the urge to sit in holiday traffic for 6 hours.

Peter Jelliss and his faithful team, fully togged up in their drysuits and PFD's sat becalmed in their vessels, the odd crackle from the radio confirming there is no wind and no direction.

At 11 am the AP was signalled and so the wait began. Sailors drifted in and out of the clubhouse while above them the odd cloud took turns to blanket the rays of the morning sunshine.

"16 knots in Salcombe," one distinguished sailor commented while our jury man Steve Watson added that the Cadets had launched in Brixham.

We looked to the horizon for some hint of breeze, time ticking by and hope fading. The mist had cleared now and a faint ripple, albeit in streaks, covered the race area but even we could see that the pressure was negligible.

Talk turned to yesterday and the quality of the Salcombe golf match. Clearly, these boys are a bunch of bandits, all claiming they had never played before but with the sort of distinguished careers behind them which would have definitely required sub-10 handicaps and membership to Wentworth.

Roger Lumby capsizes his golf trolley at the Rooster Solo National Championship - photo © Will Loy

One Salcombe sailor (who shall remain anonymous but we shall call him Graham) explained that all went well until Roger Lumby, who had opted to utilise one of the golf club's electric golf bag trolleys, capsized it into a bunker. Clearly his skills on the water have transferred well to this new hobby.

Back to the racing, and as I write this report and look out towards the Mount I see a constant stream of wooden launches transferring punters to the island and back. Their revenue drops significantly when the tide is low; I am surprised they have not bombed the causeway yet.

The ripples on the water indicating breeze, much like hope for racing, have diminished - but that is not stopping judge Steve from donning waterproofs and ankle wellies. The last ferry to the island will leave soon - the tide here recedes quicker than a twenty pound note into Chris Brown's wallet.

The aforementioned punters, clearly keen to save a few quid, wade across the treacherous walkway, holding their children and babies above their heads; the women will have to fend for themselves. Paddleboarders glide to and fro, oblivious to the Solo Championship and the thrilling climax that may never take place.

With one hour to go until a decision it looks like Andy Davis will take the title with Tom Gillard second and Paul Ellis third. Olli Davenport will be fourth and Richard Lovering fifth. So that is HD Sails, North Sails, P&B Sails and Hyde Sails in the top five.

Update: Racing was indeed canned and the overall results remain as listed after day 5.

New class President Patrick Burns officiated the Prize Giving on the Mount's Bay Sailing Club veranda, overlooking St Michael's Mount.

• Sal Erskine Furness is first lady
• Harry Lucas is first junior
• Paul Ellis is first Veteran
• Tim Law is first Grand Master
• Graham Wilson is first Septimus
• Salcombe win the Wetherall Cup
• Jarvis Simpson is Plate Series winner.

Apologies If I have misrepresented any of these winners, I did leave before the final whistle.

Finally, and keen not to be too loquacious, we must thank the race crew and land based team at Mounts Bay SC for providing us with a great week on and off the water. PRO Peter Jelliss did a sterling job despite some testing conditions. The irony of the east wind is that it is constantly inconsistent here in Marazion.

Huge thanks to our sponsors, we hope our success as a class ensures your businesses continue to flourish.

Big thanks to on-the-water umpire Steve Watson who was really put through his paces early in the week, off the water rather than on it. I do believe the sailing instructions across the world will never be the same again.

Finally thank you to the town of Marazion, we have been warmly welcomed and in these times of change, we feel that this regatta has reminded us of what a Championship is all about. While there can only be one Champion, and Andy Davis is well worthy, we are all winners this week.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Solo nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here