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Solo class Thames Valley Series at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club

by Kirsten Marley 6 Oct 2024 21:23 BST 5 October 2024

The Island Barn Reservoir Solo Open, part of the Thames Valley Series, took place under ideal autumn conditions on October 5th. The reservoir welcomed 16 competitors, with five representing the home club and others travelling from clubs as far as Salcombe Bay.

A warm 15 degreesC day, unseasonably pleasant for October, combined with clear skies and a steady south-easterly breeze of 10-12 knots, occasionally gusting up to 19 knots, provided a near-perfect setting for competitive sailing.

Race officer Gareth Griffiths, a former Solo sailor himself, set a triangle-sausage course for the day's races. The first race kicked off at 11 a.m., and Island Barn hero, Mike Jones, showed early promise by being the first to round the windward mark. The morning saw two tightly contested races before competitors broke for a delicious home-made lunch provided by club volunteers.

In the first race, Ian Matthews from Spinnaker Sailing Club claimed victory, with Simon Denham from Littleton Sailing Club in second, and Dave Bull from Upper Thames Sailing Club in third. The second race brought a change at the top, with Frazer Hayden from Papercourt Sailing Club taking the win, Simon again in second, and Andrew Boyce, also from Papercourt, finishing third.

After lunch, two more races followed in the afternoon. Ian Matthews secured another win in the third race, with Dave Bull close behind in second, and Tim Lewis from the RYA finishing third. The final race of the day went to Simon Denham, rounding off a consistent series of results for him. Ian finished second, with Dave once again in third place.

At the end of the day's racing, Ian Matthews emerged as the overall winner, narrowly beating Simon Denham by just one point. Dave Bull secured third place overall. Among the Island Barn sailors, Mike Jones was the best finisher, representing his home club well against tough competition.

The day concluded with a traditional cream tea during the prize-giving ceremony, capping off a successful and enjoyable day of racing at Island Barn. Congratulations to all the sailors and a special thanks to the volunteers who made the event a great success.

More photos are available from islandbarn.org.uk/soloopen2024

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st6112Ian MatthewsSpinnaker1‑7124
2nd5393Simon DerhamLittleton22‑5.515
3rd5473Dave BullUpper Thames3‑4238
4th5693Fraser HaydenPapercourt41‑5.5510
5th6010Tim LewisRYA5‑83412
6th5666Andrew BoycePapercourt63‑7615
7th6088Iain McGregorSalcombe‑954817
8th5771Tim JacksonPapercourt868‑922
9th5293Timothy BarrTamesis7‑109723
10th5215Mike JonesIsland Barn10‑13101030
11th4670Ben RusselIsland Barn121111(DNS)34
12th5089Tim MedcalfTamesis119(DNC)DNC37
13th5091Tony SproatIsland Barn14‑15131239
14th5648Tim GabrielIsland Barn131412(DNS)39
15th3736Nick MarleyIsland Barn(DNS)12RET1140
16th4071Peter HallidayIsland Barn(DNS)DNSDNSDNS51

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