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Solo Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

by David Walford, FGSC Solo Class Captain 11 May 2022 09:23 BST 8 May 2022

Fishers Green Sailing Club held their annual Solo Open Meeting on Sunday 8th May 2022. The forecast was for variable conditions with prevailing wind from a north easterly direction. This was proven to be the case with winds varying from a force 2 / gusting force 3 on occasions.

It was pleasing to see 25 entrants on the start line which included 16 club members. For Fishers Green Sailing Club another good attendance, and thanks go to all who travelled alongside club members. Before racing commenced I did a tour of the the boat park, "It is good to return to a venue where historically numbers do travel to and it is well supported by the home fleet. An opportunity to meet up with fellow Solo helms and compete away from my home club within a large and competitive fleet."

A three race event gave the opportunity to discard one result. With north easterly winds, part of the lake is sheltered from the breeze. The Race Officer was however able to set good courses during the day including long start lines and courses that included two beats, a reach and more or less a dead run which was liked by all.

Race 1

Light winds and a pin-ended favoured start. A clean start by all and a predominantly starboard sided beat to the windward mark followed by a dead run and another starboard sided beat before a long reach back to the leeward mark. A three lap race. Tom Gillard (6021) led from the start followed by local helms Steve Barrett (5206) and Paul Rayson (5181). Thereafter gains were made / lost on each leg of the course as the windspeed varied and slightly changed direction. Towards the end of the race local knowledge prevailed, with Paul finishing first closely following by Graham Sexton (6015) in second also from FGSC and Tom in third.

Race 2

This race started in a fair breeze. A clean start again with a committee boat favoured end. A similar course to that set in Race 1, with windward mark changes to ensure that the fleet remained in the prevailing wind. Another 3 lap race. Mark Maskell (6007) initially led for the first lap and a half closely by Tom and Vince Horey (6010). Again positions were gained / lost especially on the run as helms searched for the breeze. Tom (6021) prevailed in this race with a first place and a big lead. He was followed by Vince (6010) in second and Graham (6015) in third.

Race 3

Slightly stronger wind conditions remained with a clean start and a similar course to that set for Race 2. Another committee boat end favoured end. As the fleet progressed up the first beat the conditions became tricky - gusts of wind alongside numerous changes in direction. A long beat / long run followed by another short beat and long reach to the leeward mark. Positions in this race at the front were more or less stable with Tom (6021) finishing first followed by Steve Bishop (5649) in second and Vince (6010) in third. Vince's result was subject to a protest which was upheld which then gave Mark (6007) the 3rd position.

Overall, another successful Solo Open Meeting enjoyed by all and a credit to those at Fishers Green Sailing Club for their organisation and hospitality. It is always great to be competing on the water within a large and competitive Solo Fleet away from respective home clubs.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClub R1R2R3Pts
1st6021Tom GillardSheffield Viking SC‑3112
2nd6015Graham SextonFGSC23‑75
3rd5181Paul RaysonFGSC17(DNC)8
4th5649Steve BishopHunts SC‑7628
5th4801Godfrey ClarkFGSC4‑548
6th6007Mark MaskellBlackwater SC6‑839
7th5206Steve BarrettFGSC54(DNC)9
8th6010Vince HoreyKing George SC102(DSQ)12
9th5730Steve JonesLittleton SC9‑10514
10th6016Jarvis SimpsonBrightlingsea SC8‑11816
11th5328Steve ConroyFGSC‑1412618
12th5819Phil SturmerBrightlingsea SC‑119918
13th5904Pat OversGrafham Water SC13‑161124
14th5249Nick PighillsFGSC15‑211025
15th5068Blake NewmanFGSC1213‑1425
16th5020Geoff HolmesFGSC16‑171430
17th5329John WhiteFGSC‑17151530
18th4639Claudia ManciniFGSC‑19191231
19th956Alan RobertsLeigh On Sea‑21141731
20th4793Roger CastleFGSC1818(DNC)36
21st5372Brian CassonFGSC22‑251638
22nd4287Rob ManciniFGSC‑23221840
23rd4511Martin JarvisFGSC2020(DNC)40
24th3786Pete HollinsFGSC‑25241943
25th4022Dick ReynoldsFGSC2423(DNC)47

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