Solo class NSCA Southern Area Series at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

The weather forecast of very light to non-existent winds from an indeterminate direction may have been a factor in reducing the number of visitors but 16 sailors from the home fleet who turned out on 14th May for the Frensham Pond SC Solo Open Meeting, part of the NSCA Southern Area Series, enjoyed pleasant sunny and warm conditions.

Four races were planned and sailed, and, despite what little wind there was shifting constantly, RO Graham Howlett managed to set a beat for the start of Race 1, only to see a large backing shift halfway up the first leg, turning it into a reach. Being Frensham however, this only meant that the second leg became a beat so all was reasonably well.

Ian Matthews from Spinnaker SC led from for a large part of the race, only to get the wrong side of a port shift on the last leg and be overtaken by Simon Law of the home club. Brother Adrian Law took advantage of the shifty conditions to tack his way up to third.

There was no improvement in either wind strength or shiftyness for Race 2, with the start set up for a westerly breeze and the wind not co-operating by veering substantially just as the start gun fired. John Haine from the home club found the right route, leading initially from John Townsley, before both Townsley and Simon Lomas-Clarke overtook him in the tricky conditions.

Adrian Law climbed through the fleet again to finish third with Brian Taylor and John Haine fourth and fifth.

The wind proved no better for Race 3 having shifted back to the NNE. Brian Taylor grabbed the start and led all the way round. John Townsley worked his way up to second and Simon Lomas-Clarke followed these two home.

At last for Race 4 the wind settled down to a steady(ish) Force 2 from the West. Geoff Woollen, Ian Matthews and Paul Trevan led up the first beat and rounded the first mark in this order. Matthews and Trevan then broke away on the second beat with Matthews winning and Trevan being caught by Lomas-Clarke and Taylor before the end.

Final series result showed Ian Matthews, John Townsley and Simon Lomas-Clarke all with 7 points after discard, Matthews winning from Townsley and Lomas-Clarke on countback.

Overall Results: