Solo and Laser Open Meeting at Middle Nene Sailing Club
by Wilf Kunze 3 Jun 16:40 BST
31 May 2025
After a more than a 15 year-long break, Middle Nene SC has re-introduced the joint Open Meeting for the Solo and Laser (ILCA) classes, and 19 competitors from MNSC and Cransley SC made the most of the near-perfect conditions on 31st May 2025.
Announced as a friendly neighbourhood event, the Open fulfilled all expectations and was nonetheless a challenging day because of the high level of competition and the occasionally gusty conditions. Race Officer Roo Jarvis and his team competently matched the courses sailed to the varying conditions and kept everybody safe throughout the day.
The less experienced contestants, including some in their early teens, were competing in their ILCA4 (4.7) and ILCA 6 (Radial) boats with accomplished racing sailors, giving them a good run for their money.
First and foremost this was Solomon Day who came third in his ILCA4, just a few points behind experienced top-level sailors Tom Vessey and Daniel Wigmore (both ILCA 7) who were separated after five exceptionally close races by a single point. Rachel Nicol achieved a good fourth place and was awarded the First Lady trophy.
In the Solo fleet the experience level was equally broad and the results came up with a surprise, in that Mark Greer (of Flying 15 fame) managed to take the trophy, with Ian Burns coming second and visitor Hugh Ambrey (Cransley SC) third.
Ian Burns, main organiser and Solo Class Captain at MNSC, summarised the Open Meeting, saying, "Many thanks to all the sailors who turned out today to make our first Solo/Laser Open in quite a few years so memorable. Many thanks also to all the race staff and galley ladies for some great sailing courses and for keeping us so well fed.
"Finally, to all the youth for joining in and especially to the ladies who sailed and overcame any reservations they might have had. Simply Middle Nene at its best!"
Following last Saturday's success, the next event is planned for June 2026 and details will be announced in good time. For any questions about the Open or about MNSC in general, please contact
Solo Fleet Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 5095 | Mark Greer | MNSC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (DNS) | 4 |
| 2nd | 4311 | Ian Burns | MNSC | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | (DNS) | 9 |
| 3rd | 4087 | Hugh Ambrey | Cransley SC | 2 | 4 | ‑5 | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| 4th | 4085 | Andrew Connellan | MNSC | ‑5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 13 |
| 5th | 4089 | William Ambrey | Cransley SC | 7 | ‑8 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 19 |
| 6th | 4753 | Paul Anstee | MNSC | 4 | 9 | 7 | 3 | (DNS) | 23 |
| 7th | 6049 | Andrew Leather | MNSC | ‑8 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 4 | 25 |
| 8th | 5095 | Ray Greer | MNSC | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | (DNS) | 26 |
| 9th | 4309 | Simon Shaw | MNSC | 10 | 10 | (DNF) | 9 | 5 | 34 |
| 10th | 3476 | Simon Day | MNSC | 9 | 6 | (DNF) | DNS | DNS | 37 |
Laser/ILCA Fleet Results:
| Pos | Rig | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | ILCA 7 | 211405 | Daniel Wigmore | MNSC | 1 | ‑2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| 2nd | ILCA 7 | 215418 | Tom Vessey | MNSC | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 6 |
| 3rd | ILCA 4 | 190904 | Solomon Day | MNSC | ‑5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| 4th | ILCA 6 | 126411 | Rachel Nicol | MNSC | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | (DNS) | 15 |
| 5th | ILCA 4 | 190904 | Josh Gillson | MNSC | 7 | 7 | 5 | 5 | (DNS) | 24 |
| 6th | ILCA 4 | 0 | Heather Trollinger | MNSC | 8 | ‑9 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 25 |
| 7th | ILCA 6 | 182464 | Harry Ambery | Cransley SC | 3 | 6 | 6 | (RET) | DNS | 25 |
| 8th | ILCA 4 | 143931 | Julie West | MNSC | ‑9 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 29 |
| 9th | ILCA 6 | 158096 | Harry Jarvis | MNSC | 6 | 5 | 8 | (DNS) | DNS | 29 |