P&B Solo Western Series at Starcross Yacht Club

The Starcross YC P&B Solo Open was held on Saturday 25th July, part of the P&B Solo Western Series. A late start for most sailors, with high tide not until 4pm in the afternoon, we were met with a light flukey westerly, puffing offshore, suggesting a race of snakes and ladders. But as the Race Officer (Ben Cultler-Sharp) motored out to the course with his intrepid race team, the wind swung North Westerly and filled in promising some exciting champagne conditions.

Race 1: With the wind puffing in from the Northwest and minimum tidal flow the 9-boat fleet were away first time and with everyone hiking hard we headed for the top mark.

Cameron Norris (from Shropshire sailing club) leading at the top mark, hotly pursued by Charlie Nunn (Porthpean SC- welcome back to the fleet) and Spod Olive (SYC) both who managed to squeeze past him on the downwind leg leaving Charlie and Spod to battle it out. Charlie showing a few boat handling issues while Spod's rudder popped up at the last mark giving Charlie the win, Spod 2nd and Paul Jacobs 3rd.

P&B Solo Western Series at Starcross - photo © Garnett Showell

Race 2: With the 20 kts puff still meandering down the course, race 2 kicked off with Paul Jacobs (SYC) getting into his stride and rounding the mark first, with Spod just behind. Charlie had been checking his righting line on the start line in preparation for the nationals.

Then began a battle, with Paul powering up the beat and Spod pulling ahead down wind, with some amazing puffs projecting us around the course. Paul eventually rounded the top mark ahead and with too much to catch up, calmly defended his position weaving through the back end of the Laser fleet ahead of him to take the bullet.

Obviously, a good race for the Starcross YC sailors with Paul, Spod and Simon Greeenslade taking the first three positions.

P&B Solo Western Series at Starcross - photo © Garnett Showell

Race 3: And feeling a tad weary now, with the wind puffing in from the West, the race proved a steady shifting wind. Charlie quickly took charge of the race with Paul and Simon hotly pursuing him around the course.

The gusts, proving they hadn't given up the chance to annoy the sailors with a few capsizes during the gybes and mark rounding's. Charlie, clearly happy to apply his go faster Blaze skills, managed to stay ahead to take the final bullet with Paul, just behind and Spod pulling through to finish 3rd.

P&B Solo Western Series at Starcross - photo © Garnett Showell

A difficult time of the year with the Nationals approaching and brownie points clearly in short supply with partners, Starcross open proved to be a feisty event with an excellent breeze to test everyone's boat handling. Thank you to all of those that ventured out to join us and see you at the Nationals in Torbay.

The P&B Solo Western Series results after three events can be seen now, with John Steels of SYC leading the series today.

The next series event is Torpoint Mosquito SC on Saturday 22nd August.

Event Results:

P&B Solo Western Series at Starcross - photo © Garnett Showell