Gill Solo Inland Championship at Grafham Water Sailing Club - Preview
by Will Loy 3 Sep 16:01 BST
9-10 September 2023
Tom Gillard is the defending Solo Inland Champion © Will Loy
Grafham Water Sailing Club will be hosting the Solo Class next weekend September 9-10 and with an Inland Championship title up for grabs and 50 pre-entries, its shaping up to be a great event.
The team at Grafham are keen to know exact numbers for both catering and safety logistics so please enter online as soon as possible, the deadline is September 6, the limit is 80 so get in before you are too late and while you are at it, book a meal, chef needs at least 20 orders!
Enter and book a meal here: webcollect.org.uk/grafham/event/solo-inlands-2023
The NSCA are laying on a coaching day, Friday 8th, anyone interested in improving should attend, you will learn something and be race ready for the regatta. Reigning Nation's Cup Champion Oliver Davenport is the coach and there are just two places left. The NSCA are covering the costs, just be a member and contact either Andy Fox or Class President Guy Mayger.
Looking down the entry list reads like a who's who of top performers, Gillard, Davenport and Fisher, the latter may not be so good on the water but stick a pint in his hand and he is great entertainment. Team Torpoint, of which Fisher is a member have been strong all season and have eight entries, a magnificent effort and only eclipsed by Grafham who have eleven entries, Birkin-Walls, Walters and young Harry Lucas are their cream...sorry Dave Lucas.
Carsington's Jonathan Swain is my pick for a top three if the wind gods provide some breeze along with former Inland Champion Chris Brown and Fergus Barnham. That said, Jamie Morgan is a man on a mission following his performance at the Nationals, my guess is he has chucked the alcohol ban out and will launch with a big hangover, it worked for Geoff Carveth, Jim Hunt and Andy Davis so must be fast.
I have been banned from looking at weather stations and will instead prey for 15-20 mph from any direction but preferably not all at the same time.
Former Class President Patrick Burns is attending and with the burden of officialdom just a fond memory will hopefully return to the middle part of the fleet which will be a win for him.
Steve Watson will be on the water as Jury and I will be attending on Sunday so please get all the BFD recalls out of the way on day 1, race 1 start is 12pm.
Gill are out title sponsor and have provided support for many of the Grafham Sailing Club events, their love for the sport is reflected in the kit they provide so go buy some.
See you on the water.