NSCA Solo class Vintage Championship 2023 at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

NSCA Solo class Vintage Championship at Leigh-on-Sea © LOSSC

A windy forecast kept a number of visiting Soloists away but there were eight visitors and fifteen club boats entered for this the fifth Vintage Championship at this club, again well supported by Rooster Sailing. They were greeted with was plenty of sunshine and a brisk northeasterly offshore wind.

After the usual bacon butties, coffee and tea, and a briefing by the Race Officer Steve Corbet the fleet launched sped away to the committee boat. A brief respite whilst the trapezoid shaped course was laid the first race got under way. A 3 minute count down confused many boats on a shortish line all returned and as the wind shifted the pin end was favoured. Rodger Smith got the jump at the start and led by a good distance at the first windward buoy. Current champion Ewan Birkin-Wallis and past champion Dave Goudie were hot on his heels.

Smith lost his way after the leeward mark which led to Birkin-Wallis gaining the lead which he extended and held until the finish. Cass Monk worked his way through the fleet but couldn't catch Goudie who kept second place. The wind gradually increased throughout the race and all boats held together and all finished.

The second race was stated in a similar fashion and past champion Jonny Wells led around the windward mark followed closely by Nigel Pybus, Birkin-Wall, Goudie, Monk. Pybus gained the lead, however hardening up after the last leeward mark his starboard stay broke leaving Birkin-Wallis to take another win followed closely by Wells and Monk.

NSCA Solo class Vintage Championship at Leigh-on-Sea - photo © LOSSC

The tide had just turned at the start of the third and final race with the wind further increasing saw many having a taste of the Thames estuary. A lumpy seaway couldn't stop Wells again and led away down the first broad reach. Followed very closely by a gaggle of five boats.

Goudie got caught out by a vicious gust on the run and then there were four.

The wind increased yet again which saw many retirements and the race was shortened to two rounds. Monk worked his way to the top and got his first win in an event. Ewan Birkin-Wallis was second and Wells third.

Sparkling conditions which most enjoyed and all returned safely to the clubhouse for food and drinks and the prize-giving.

NSCA Solo class Vintage Championship at Leigh-on-Sea - photo © LOSSC

The prize-giving was introduced by Class Captain, Russel Trudgett and thanked everyone for coming and enjoying the racing. The NSCA provided the first three winners prizes and Rooster Sailing provided the other valuable prizes which were handed out by the Commodore (Robin Tothill, who sailed in Solo 3958) to the top five places and also to:
Oldest boat - 3552, Phil Dowsett, LSC
Furthest travelled - 3847, Mike Barnes, Lagos YC, Kenya (RYA)

Ewan Birkin-Wallis again thanked the club for holding the event and all the members who made it possible and hoped to see many more next year.

Overall Results: