Solo class Midlands Region open meeting at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green © Matt Brown

Beautiful sunshine and light winds greeted the competitors at Barnt Green sailing club for the Solo Open meeting held on Saturday 10th May.

A total of 32 entrants comprising of 16 visitors and 16 home boats were greeted by Barnt Green Solo Class Captain Michael Atkins and PRO Geoff King at the briefing who explained that the wind direction was constantly fluctuating so be vigilant for course changes to accommodate the localised shifts that popular venue Barnt Green Sailing Club is famous for.

The course for the first race had to be modified twice before Geoff let the fleet go and the perfect beat in a steady 8mph wind gave significant place changes to the first windward mark. On rounding the windward mark a large gust hit the fleet and those who had opted towards the centre of the race course benefited from the associated wind bend.

Chris Brown - Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Matt Brown

The first three Andy Bownes (5897, Barnt Green SC), Johnny Coate (5130 South Staffs SC) and Alan Bishop (5971 Girton Sailing Club) had a slight lead over the chasing pack of 6 boats as they rounded the windward mark before starting on the second beat of the course. The wind gods kept the beat true and it was clear that staying in pressure was key to maintaining or increasing your position in the fleet. On the long reach back to start the second lap some of the leaders opted for a low course but again the centre paid dividends and the fleet bunched before starting to beat up to buoy 6 for the second time.

The leaders had now altered leaving Alan Bishop ahead of Johnny Coate closely followed by Samuel Bailey (5927 South Staffs SC) with big gains to be achieved as small gusts came and went on the off wind legs. Some boats were able to accelerate onto the plane with the gusts so it was important to keep your head out of the boat looking at where the likely shifts would arise. Place changes through the chasing pack was constant but the leaders had now established a lead from those behind.

The last beat saw the wind swing slightly and diminish which was clearly a challenge but at the finish Alan Bishop took the win, followed by Samuel Bailey and Johnny Coate.

First Barnt Green boat was Andy Bownes who had a solid race.

Sam Bailey - Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Matt Brown

After a fabulous lunch the fleet went back on the water to an increasing wind now registering 14 mph but with swings in direction of 70 degrees causing Geoff to draw on his experience and again reset the course three times and build in contingency legs to accommodate any wind swings whilst the race was under way.

Another clean start the fleet were again treated to a perfect first beat and it was interesting to note that initially those opting for the clubhouse side of the lake definitely were making significant progress, however as the beat developed those opting for the centre and far side of the course were the first to see the new wind and a lift up to the windward mark.

This combination meant a group of 8 boats rounded together so strategy was to prove essential, not being caught on the outside of the group. The increase in wind again from behind allowed the chasing pack to significantly close on the leaders so off wind speed was to prove decisive in getting clear air. As the second lap unfolded Samuel Bailey and Matt Newton-Sherlock (5688 Barnt Green SC) were establishing a gap between themselves and the chasers being lead by Chris Brown (6135 Draycote Water SC). During the second beat on this lap Samuel Bailey established a significant lead over the remainder of the fleet which was being extended on every leg of the course and a clear win seemed destined.

On the last mark to the finish the wind all but disappeared when Sam approached and behind the leading chasers Chris Brown and Ollie Ridgway (5399 Barnt Green SC) were still in pressure. As the 3 leading boats rounded it was interesting to note that each were loose covering the boat behind hoping that the wind would fill and give them an advantage. The wind however remained light and fickle but stable in direction so at the finish Samuel Bailey took the win closely followed by Ollie Ridgway in second and Chris Brown in third.

Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Matt Brown

The last race of the day was held back-to-back and again the course had to be modified to allow for the promised change in direction which had at last materialised and the wind speed had now increased to a steady 14 mph gusting 21 mph. With all to play for the fleet were all over ambitious and a general recall resulted. The fleet were away cleanly at the second attempt and again a very true beat to the windward mark. The local boats all took the clubhouse side of the racecourse with the visitors split between the centre and far side of the lake.

This time the clubhouse side paid dividends and three local boats rounded clear and started the long reach to the leeward mark. Andy Bownes closely followed by Bob Suggitt (5318 Barnt Green SC) and Ollie Ridgway were clearly enjoying the increase in wind strength as the lead extended still further with some of the pre-race favourites in mid fleet, desperately trying to find clear air. As Andy Bownes approached the mark he rounded incorrectly, closely followed by Bob Suggitt. Ollie Ridgway rounded correctly and set of on the second beat of the course with a clear lead. The chasing pack had now caught the two initial leaders who were trying to rectify their errors which caused numerous hailing for water and other turns requested!

The beat developed more into a very close fetch if you were lucky to be in the right position on the lake but those further towards the centre were being continually stalled and backed. By the start of the second lap Jamie Cuxson (5704 Shustoke SC) held a slight advantage over Ollie Ridgway and Alan Bishop, however it was noticeable that some of those who were mid fleet initially were making steady progress and at the end of the long beat Sam Bailey and Chris Brown were not far behind the leading trio. As the lap evolved again off wind speed was to be a decisive factor and by the time the leaders had completed the second lap Jamie Cuxson still lead but ominously Chris Brown and Sam Bailey were now also vying for the lead.

As the last lap started the race was wide open with leader Jamie Cuxson opting for the clubhouse side of the water with Chris Brown and Sam Bailey opting for the centre of the lake. Taking every shift the two in the centre established a significant lead by the windward mark and then a battle royal was to evolve over the last lap between the pair. The place changing was dramatic with first one then the other having an advantage, both demonstrating incredible boat speed and both reading the shifts perfectly. By the last beat there was absolutely nothing between them and an incredible effort by both saw Sam Bailey take the win by less than a boats length from Chris Brown with Alan Bishop in third.

Race 3 start - Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Matt Brown

The day finished with lively discussion in the club house over drinks about the story of the day - where were you when the wind switched or died? One man had clearly not read the script. Overall winner of the Barnt Green Sailing Club Solo open 2025 with a second place discard was Samuel Bailey (5927 South Staffs SC) with 2 points, followed by Alan Bishop (5971 Girton SC) with 4 points and Chris Brown (6135 Draycote Water SC) with 5 points.

Fastest Female Helm was Anna Nankervis (5355 Shropshire SC) and fastest Junior Jai Sanehi (4387 Barnt Green SC) Prizes were also awarded to Bob Suggitt as oldest competitor, Harry Mallow (4784 Shustoke SC) as 'Luckiest' competitor with Nick Shaw (5474 Barnt Green SC) winner of the 'Penny a Mile' prize for the most distance covered in a single lap.

Alan Bishop - Solo class open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Matt Brown

Overall Results: