Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series at Carsington Sailing Club

Carsington held the first event of the Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series and first event of the Midlands Big Lakes Series.

22 sailors were welcomed to a sunny pleasant morning in the Peak District with a medium wind starting to form on the lake. With a forecast for the wind to pick up throughout the day and four back to back races planned, a great days racing ahead was in store.

Race 1

The fleet got away cleanly with a split of boats heading up each side of the course. The starboard pack took the initial advantage and Steve Ede led the pack around the windward mark closely followed by Mike Sims and Sam Bailey who was first to round of the port pack. It became a tight battle at the front between Sims, Ede, Bailey and Wilde for the majority of the race with Swain and Brown chasing. Wilde managed to make some good gains off wind and hit the left on the beat taking him into first place. Wilde took the win followed by Sims, Bailey then Ede.

Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series at Carsington - photo © Richard Corbin

Race 2

Alice Hyde looked favourable to lead the pack around the windward mark 3/4 of the way up the first beat however it was Mike Sims who led making the most of the shifts in the last 1/4 to take the lead. Sims led the race from Allan Gillard in the initial stages but took on a boat full off water following a bad gybe so his gains were reduced. However, Sims, Wilde and Swain broke away from the fleet finishing closely together in that order.

Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series at Carsington - photo © Richard Corbin

Race 3

Spray tops were now being put on as the wind started to build in strength. Mike Sims led the pack again however Andy Wilde punched through to take the lead off wind. A bad shift on the left hand side of the beat cost Wilde the lead allowing Sims and Swain to come through. Sims took the win with Swain in second and Wilde coming in third.

Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series at Carsington - photo © Richard Corbin

Race 4

With the wind building to >15 knots with bigger gusts, the fleet had thinned out with only 7 boats lining up on the start line. Chris Brown hit the pin end on port and cleared the starboard boats (cheering coming from his boat) closely followed by Philip Barnes. They subsequently led first and second round the windward mark with Wilde, Sims and Swain chasing. As the gusts came down the lake, Brown and Barnes took unfortunately capsized on the gybe leaving Sims, Wilde and Swain to sail through. Sims got past Wilde on the run and took the win with Wilde second and Swain third.

Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland Area Solo Series at Carsington - photo © Richard Corbin

So congratulations to Mike Sims Carsington taking the event win with Andy Wilde Ogston second and Jonathan Swain third. I would like to thank Carsington for holding a very enjoyable event with a strong race management performance and event organisation.

Overall Results: