Harken UK Soling Inlands at Kielder Water Sailing Club

by Soling UK 1 Oct 2002 16:54 BST

28th - 29th September 2002

The Harken UK Soling Inland National Championships hosted by Kielder Water Sailing Club saw Hamish MacKay, Colin Murray and Matt Whittaker in GBR 164 take the Championships honours in a highly charged dual with Mike Preston, Bryan Bottomley and Ron Preston in GBR 143. Entering the last race, with equal results after two days of racing, Mike Preston gained the early advantage by forcing Hamish McKay over the start line. With one lap left a cool recovery and focused determination of Team GBR 164, did not need a second invitation when a poor mark rounding left an open door for Hamish MacKay to take Championship victory by a single point.

New boy to the class Peter Chester with Chris Ball and Chris Aubery in GBR 7 found their boat speed throughout the weekend to claim their first podium position and take the Masters prize through equally close racing with Soling veteran Hamish Louden in CAN 215. Gary Richardson, Stuart Lee and Carl Sloan in GBR 155 picked up line honours in the last race to place them fourth overall.

Francis Salomonsen presented the Douthwaite Memorial Trophy to the winning team along with the Phil Lever Trophy to the winning Bowman. Thanks went to the members of Kielder Water Sailing Club for their hospitality to the Soling Class.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Boat Name	Helm	Crew	Pts
1st	GBR 164	Spank	Mackay	Murray/ Whttaker	12
2nd	GBR 143	Cockatoo 2	Preston	Bottomley/ Preston	13
3rd	GBR 7	Postman Pat	Chester	Ball/ Aubery	23
4th	GBR 155	Buzz Lightyear	Richardson	Lee/ Sloan	26
5th	CAN 215	Maple Syrup	Louden	Fountian/ Louden	26