NAT-21369 Solo Magazine Autumn 16 Section 1...2016-2017 Title/ Name Address Telephone Email Address...

SoloSpecific AUTUMN 2016

Championship Reports A.G.M Minutes

Committee Decisions Boat Builder Focus

Solo 6000Sponsor of the NSCA

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Solo Specific Contacts

N.S.C.A. Officers and Committee 2016-2017

Title/ Name Address Telephone Email Address

President Will Loy

49 Ocean View Road, Ventnor, IOW, PO381DH

07713 011825 [email protected]

Vice President Vacant

vicepresident@solosailing .org.uk

Hon.Treasurer David Walford

8B Huggins Lane, North Mimms, Hatfield, Herts. AL97LR


Membership membership@solosailing .org.uk

Hon. Secretary Robert Laurie

4 Snowberry Court, Braintree, Essex, CM7 9FT


Chief Measurer Gordon Barclay

98 Norwich Rd, Chichester, West Sussex, PO19 5DF


Technical Adviser

Newsletter Editor Will Loy

49 Ocean View Road, Ventnor, IOW, PO381DH

07713 [email protected]

Coaching

Midland Area Rep Nigel Davies

[email protected]

Northern Area Rep Nick Hornsby

5 Field Hurst, Barkisland, Halifax, HX4 0OJ


Eastern/T Valley Rep Godfrey Clark

28 Bassett Gardens, North Weald, Epping, Essex.

01992 523262 07713 871802

[email protected] [email protected]

Western Area Rep John Steels

[email protected]

Southern Area Rep [email protected]

Sea Series Andrew Thompson

[email protected]@andrewthompson.me.uk

Webmaster Paul Dowman

[email protected]

Championship Venues Steve Ede

53 Seaview Avenue, West Mersea,Colchester, CO58BY


Committee Member Chris Brown

[email protected] [email protected]

Scottish Area Rep Kevan Gibb

Crab Apple Neuk, Sea Rd,Drumeldrie, Upper Largo, KY8 6JD


GM and Vet Rep Peter Fryer

16 Abinger Avenue, Cheam, Surrey, SM2 7LJ

020 8224 7624 [email protected]

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Solo Specific Committee

Preditorial Well it has certainly been an interesting few months, a busy season of National Solo events and some “off the water” issues, have kept the Committee on it’s toes. Back in June we returned to WPNSA for the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy. The weather, which has been erratic this year to say the least, delivered less than perfect conditions, and with only a few days to go before the event there was even chatter of cancelling due to lack of pre-entries. Fortunately, someone there knew how nervous the Solo fleet are when it comes to online payments and sure enough, on the day we had 47 competitors.

The SUPERSPARS National Championship was successful with 83 enjoying mixed conditions and emotions. There is no doubt that Pwllheli has great facilities but it is evident that they still have some fine tuning required. That said, they were not responsible for the fog and rain that blighted them and Abersoch, which is just a stone throw away. The equipment process was pleasurable and with a lack of RYA checking on self certification of hulls and sails, this procedure once a year by the NSCA is vital. Andy Davis was in dominant form and never really looked threatened.

The weather was also playing up in the run up to the “Celebration of the National Solo” and a late decision to postpone was vindicated as gusts of 30+ mph swept over Draycote in August. To be honest this was a relief to myself, with a low pre entry and potential high costs to my wallet as I had gone out of my way to book a band with no committee consent!

With a poor forecast prior to the HARKEN Inland Championship, it looked like it would be a one day event and with no wind over the course on day 2, an early exit from Rutland Water was realised. 79 competitors had a good day’s racing and in an historic first, the NSCA had laid on the band that were postponed from the Draycote bash. “The Peas” were thoroughly entertaining though there were some very worried and anxious expressions from some sailors when urged by my wife Caroline, to dance. John Webster rose to that task admirably and Jo Catterill was also seen in the arms of Hopwood, I assume she was assisting him to the bar. If the sailors thought that was exciting, the draw for Solo 6000 and the drama that unfolded was enthralling. More on that later.

The article on 21st Century Girl in the May issue of Solo Specific certainly got the membership talking and some were even motivated to login and post messages on the scary new Solo site. The Committee could have been forgiven for looking for the nearest exits when I made the suggestions regarding “possible changes” but to their credit, every man stood their ground and put forward their forthright views, for and against. To be honest, it was not until I saw the altered capping on Steve Denison’s Solo that I made my own mind up. It was also clearly evident from the majority of competitors I spoke to, that the fleet was not for change. Can I just be clear, while the committee, after much debate, voted against putting these forward at an EGM, there is nothing to stop a member putting forward proposals in the normal manner. I have to say that the vision of 78 Solos with identical capping, certainly polarised competitors views. While we as a committee, having investigated possible improvements to the Solo and come up empty handed, the whole debate and outcome has identified areas we need to improve on, and that is publicity and finding new and innovate ways to promote the National Solo. “I have a few ideas” and this is another phrase I use that brings fear to the faces of the committee. NSCA National Solo Charter and the Youth Element. (Yet to run by committee) ! OK, there are many Solo sailors who choose not to attend the National Championship and the Inland Championship but may wish to charter out their Solo. With some of the younger sailors from other classes unable to buy or borrow a competitive Solo would it not be good to have a list of available “charter boats”, so the two could be united. The list could include specification of equipment and location to aid “pick up”. I would expect a fee to be payable to the owner but maybe subsidising some of the cost via NSCA funds could be beneficial to the class in the long term. I know that the UK youth squad are keen to send some of their team for big fleet experience, which they would get. The presence of these keen sailors would show to them that the Solo is more demanding than sometimes realised by the UK and International dinghy fraternity.

I chatted to National and Inland Champion Andy Davis at Rutland, and he was quick to point out that this idea would not necessarily result in the youth element buying Solos and there is some truth in this, how many youths have £7500 spare right now. In fact, my step boys are about 15K in debt with student loans and that must be the norm, so getting into Solos is a long beat against the tide. There is no doubt though that the presence of Jack Hopkins, Olly Davenport, Peter Ballentine and Alex Corby at some of our events this year, adorned in hip cloths and “snap backs” (baseball caps with straight peaks) have provided a vibe that I have not felt since I was doing the circuit in the mid eighties. More Foreign Investment Andy also commented that the Dutch Association, our long time friends and sailing comrades, could utilise such a charter and enable them to attend our two premier events. it is true to say that North Berwick in 2015 and Pwllheli this year were a long way for even us to go but then, being a softy southerner I am biased. Full marks to Peerke Kortikaas and Arnold Yippes for their attendance at Pwllheli but I would love to see a stronger NED fleet in future years. While our Solos are very personal to us, the modern FRP set up is pretty easily replicated and for some of the sailors, who could fly to the UK and pick up their “charter boat” from a location closer than Amsterdam, would possibly be an upgrade from their 30 year old but beautifully restored Lovett. Not forgetting our newest fleet in Portugal and to have three Nation’s attending a National Championship is a step closer to “World Status”. The Fat Lady Had Not Started Singing I thought I had nailed the National Champs prize giving until I read out the winner of the Veteran series. I had on-off chats with several people through the week and was convinced Tim Law was classed as Vet but it seems we have had conflicting rules for our Vet/GM/Septimus series which run throughout the year and the National Championship status in which the competitors are classified by their age at start of competition. I had a frantic and exhausting run to the Pwllheli carpark (which shows how unfit I am) where I had to break the heart rendering news to Tim before swapping the Vet trophy for Grandmaster aka the Golden Skull in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Tim was great about it and a week later sent me a video of him doing a load of chin-ups and a vow to come back stronger at Royal Torbay in 2017. After a quick committee email string we can to this conclusion. Whatever age you are at January 1 will denote your status for that year and will be used in season long series and Championship events. Hope you enjoy this edition of Solo Specific. Will Loy

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Feature

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Solo

This is the moment, one lucky NSCA member realised he had won Solo 6000.

With 848 names in the prize draw, there seemed only a small chance that the winner would actually be attending the Harken Inland Championship, and in the packed Rutland Water bar on September 17th. But, miraculously, as Robert Laurie read the winners name out, Patrick Burns from Scotland, jumped up and held his head in his hands amid rapturous applause.

Jackie, the catering manager had pulled out the winning ticket and Robert had every members contact details ready so we could contact the winner “live” from the building, but that was not required.

Patrick is a regular competitor at the major events and is no stranger to the odd new boat but this was certainly a welcome surprise. Patrick will now be sailing the newest Solo in the fleet for the next few years until the boat builders catch up. Fortunately, Kevin Gibb, who had double trailed their Solos to the venue, was on hand and able to load the new Winder, powered by HD and protected by Creation Covers, on top of the car!

The CB combi trailer was strapped on and off they went. Kevin was equipped with earplugs so not to have to put up with his passengers constant cheerfulness. Poor Kev!

Massive thanks to Dave Winder and our other sponsors and also to NSCAs Nick Hornsby for organising the deal.

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Solo Specific Championship

Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy is the venue for the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy and 47 Solo sailors have made the journey down to one of England's prettiest locations. The jurassic coastline reaches out east and west, million year old crustaceans coating the beaches. There are also some dinosaurs in the generously large dinghy park but also some younger faces, Jack Hopkins, Anthony Osman and Laurence Creaser to name just three. The racing, despite a very unseasonal 16 degrees and an un-Weymouth like 10 knots was still ferocious, such is one design racing. Race 1 The PRO set a rather port biased line for race 1 which resulted in a general recall and the hoisting of the black flag. Actually I'am pretty sure that PROs across the UK assume this is our Class flag, such is it's inclusion in our start sequence. The wind was tracking left but the start line and course remained at the same angle which resulted in a massively biased pin end and some last second bail-outs. Mike Sims timed his run to the line perfectly, nailing the pin end and tacking on the gun. Nick Bonner, Cliff Crawshaw and Jack Hopkins were also in the little pocket of glory as the fleet drag raced up to the top mark on port. Sims rounded mark 1 ahead of GP World champion, Shane McCarthy who had made the trip over from Ireland for the event, Jack Hopkins and Andy Fox followed close behind. Foxy, with Mark Lee had spent Friday on the water, under the supervision of coach Charlie Cumbley and the improvement was immediate. Nigel Davies and Tim Law completed the top six. The reaches tested the sailors nerves and slow twitch fibres as the fleet compressed, Davies moved into fourth, Law fifth then Ian Hopwood and Nick Bonner. The breeze had tracked hard left and with the top mark moved 30 degrees to the favoured westerly direction the fleet set off in earnest. As your reporter I am trying to make the race sound enthralling but even my artist licence has moral boundaries. The fleet completed the sausage, triangle and at the gun it was no surprise that Sims had held on for his first bullet of the event. Hopkins, all 73kg of him passed McCarthy for second and Tim Law snuck through for fourth from Cliff Crawshaw. Race 2 Another pin end favoured start under the black flag and clean this time. If someone had nailed a transit they could have started ten boat lengths ahead in the middle of the line, such was the sag. Iain McGregor just squeezed past the pin at the gun, while Sims tacked immediately and drove over the majority of the fleet. Graham Williamson, David Greening, Cliff Crawshaw and Dave Mitchell were also in the "start left" camp and this proven game plan would again prove the right decision as the first beat played out. Sims rounded first, the Carsington sailor was putting the arduous early morning drive behind him and was stamping his authority on the event. Williamson and Andrew Wilde were next around with McCarthy, Greening, Fergus Barnham and Kev Gibb (SCO) completing the top seven.Again, the reaches were un-entertaining from a spectators viewpoint but I am sure hearts were beating hard on board. Sims maintained his lead with Wilde breaking through Williamson at the bottom of leg three. The last beat was pretty much two tack territory, the fleet heading left towards Portland Bill and tacking on the inevitable header. At the gun the top three remained the same with Greening, Hopkins (who had recovered well) and Barnham completing the top six. Race 3 The PRO opted for the windward-leeward course for race 3 and this was largely welcomed by the fleet. Reaching legs in 6 knots are only fun if you are in an International Moth or an America's Cup Cat. Pete Mitchell who had been largely anonymous up to now decided that the left would pay and took a narrow lead into the top mark. Pete's mood had swung further than the race 1, leg 2 wind direction. Nick Bonner chuckled as he rounded in second and Mark Lee, Hopkins and Dave Mitchell completed the first five. There was plenty of action at the bottom where the fleet had a choice of leeward marks, pretty much a fifty-fifty split with P.Mitchell and Bonner leading the left while Lee and Hopkins rolled the dice for the right. Sims, who had started near the committee boat and had rounded in the low teens was making good gains on all points of sailing but would not repeat his race 1 and 2 bullets. Mitchell held for a much needed win and will go into tomorrow with race wins on his mind. Mark Lee stamped Cumbley's coaching skills with a second place with Bonner third, Sims fourth and Dave Mitchell fifth. So with the overnight results in, care of the beautiful and ever-cheerful Sally, Mike Sims sits in top spot with 1-1-4 from the young and highly talented Jack Hopkins, 2-5-6 who would be closer if not for (slightly delayed) turns following a port-starboard incident. Andrew Wilde is third with 12-2-12, Nick Bonner fourth 6-17-3 and Shane McCarthy fifth 3-7-19. Dave Mitchell is first veteran in 6th 15-12-5, John Dixon first Grand Master 14-26-25 and Vanda Jowett who finished ninth in race 3 is our Lady. Following a raucous night at the Cove Tavern, well there was much shouting from the Salcombe contingent (their hearing is not what it used to be), the fleet awoke to skies greyer than the average Solo sailors thatch. The forecast was promising some breeze in the late afternoon but with a time limit of no race starting after 3pm, optimism for a good blow was low. The 47 helms tallied and set off for the race arena, rigs on full power and heads into win mode. Race 4 The wind was from the west at around 8-10 knots, light rain covering the course and providing the perfect reason for cameramen to stay home. The line was set square and the fleet spread evenly along it's length, clean start, albeit under a black flag. The left once again paid with Craig Williamson rounding first from Shane McCarthy second, Ian Hopwood and Fergus Barnham. Grand Master John Webster had got his act together to round fifth from Mark Lee. Pete Mitchell was in the top ten with Tim Law who had jetted in from the States, such is the allure of the National Solo. The fleet completed the two reaching legs with no particular dramas and headed back up to the top mark. Williamson continued to assert and with a 37 to try and discard he needed to. Barnham was finding his way around the aramid of control systems and the intricacies of the Solo to get him up to second which he held to the finish following the windward-leeward lap. Pete Mitchell and Tim Law made late gains on the downwind to finish third and fourth with Nick Bonner fifth. Event leader Mike Sims would record a fifteenth and this opened the door for Jack Hopkins whose sixth moved him closer overall. Race 5 Nick Bonner was over early but this did not stop him from continuing to race. With the black flag in place there was no point in doing turns or going back! Barnham, Iain McGregor and Hopkins were the most left of the fleet with Sims electing to tack back towards the middle of the course. Andrew Wilde timed his port approach perfectly to round ahead of Dave Mitchell and the luckless Bonner. Pete Mitchell and Mark Lee completed the top five. Barnham, Law and Hopkins were next around with Sims in the teens. PRO Brian Drake had reverted to the windward-leeward course, now favoured by (the majority) when the breeze is below 6-7knots and this presented plenty of tactical options. The twin leeward marks also reduced the shouting that a single leeward mark seems to attract! Wilde extended over the next lap and with Barnham a solid second it looked a done deal... until Wilde elected to do a third lap and headed off into the cloud base, taking Barnham with him.

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THE NIGEL PUSINELLI TROPHY 2016

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MikeSims Age 33 Height 5ft 11 Weight 79kg Hull Winder Mk 1 Mast Selden D+ Sail P+B Radial

Sailing the Solo fast tip “Dont point too high in

light winds”


Dave Mitchell was the first to spot the finish in place and also the ability to count to two so took the win from Barnham who was quickest to react to the mistake. Sims collected third which just about sewed the Championship up from Law and Hopkins. Wilde was unlucky, the generous blue flag that would normally fly proudly from the incredibly stable platform of the committee boat was stuck to its post, sodden by the now incessant rainfall. He salvaged a fourteenth which he could probably sell in the bar but would do nothing to raise his mood. Race 6 So, going into the final race of the Championship to was Mike Sims who was in control. Needing only to finish in the top six if Hopkins won the race, he made sure of a clean start and just kept an eye on his closest rival. Ian Hopwood, the street fighter who never knows when to stay down, made the first beat his bitch and rounded first from Tim Law and Pete Mitchell, who was looking at damage control after counting 22-20 on day 1. Dave Mitchell and Iain Magregor filled the top five. Hopwood held the lead at the bottom of the leeward mark and Mitchell was up to second and on the hunt. Law continued to sail a solid race, his two fourths in races 4-5 backing up his credentials as a top performer. The second beat was held in possibly the strongest winds of the weekend, or maybe the sailors were just getting tired. Still, 11-12 knots with a fully battened mainsail is hard work when you cannot pull the cunningham on hard. Unbelievably, Hopwood who had in recent years shed his nickname of the capsize king reverted to type and ditched it following a gybing duel with Mitchell. So, Pete Mitchell took his second bullet of the weekend from Tim Law, Chris Brown, Dave Mitchell and the hapless Hopwood (who did well to recover). Overall, Mike Sims deservedly took the title of Nigel Pusinelli Champion 2016 with an impressive 1-1-4-15-3-6 from newcomer Jack Hopkins 2-5-6-6-5-11 and Pete Mitchell 22-20-1-3-6-1. Tim Law was fourth and first Veteran with 4-18-17-4-4-2 and Dave Mitchell fifth, his bullet in race 5 helping his scorecard. John Webster recovered well from his Saturday performance to finish first Grandmaster in 21st, one ahead of our lady competitor who was Vanda Jowett. Mike thanked WPNSA for the professional race management and also the competitors who have travelled hundreds of miles to attend this event.

Noble Marine sponsor the National Solo Class and continue to provide first class protection for our beloved Solos. The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy forms part of the North Sails Super Series and thanks for their continued support.

For full results visit solosailing.org.uk

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60th ANNIVERSARY SOLO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Raceday 1 Sponsored by ROOSTER

Plas Heli Commodore Bob Lowe welcomed 83 Solo sailors to the wonderful new sailing facility in the north of Wales. While the rest of the UK bathed in sunshine, there was little chance of sunburn in Pwllheli, the mountain fog blighting the sky. Sailors rigged and waited on the beach and like a brides vail being lifted at the alter, the fog rose to reveal....grey skies. ROOSTER hikers were on show, pads in place and ready to protect the hamstrings and maximise righting moment but the notion of hiking was a little optimistic. I motored out to the race area and boarded "Banzie" the Committee boat for the week. PRO Mike Butterfield completed his checklist and awaited the fleet to the arena. 6-8 knots across the course from 185, that's just a little westerly of South and a little light for everyone but with a minimum of 5knots, we would be racing. Race 1 The line had a slight port bias and there was no pulling the welsh sheep over their eyes, result, general recall. Mike re-calibrated the line by dropping the pin end boat back 50 metres and we were into a black flag start. A large part of the fleet still hit the left pin end but Tom Gillard (Winder Mk1/North ST2K) and Pete Mitchell (Ovington/North P2) who had tacked off at the committee boat would round first and second with Andy Davis, fresh from his win at Merlin week, who had worked the middle of the beat. Tom would be receiving the Presidents Beer Voucher for nailing the first beat. Vanda Jowett, our only female competitor was next around from Ollie Wells. Young Peter Ballentine from Salcombe was next around from sailing legend Tim Law. The course was triangle/sausage, normally with the wind below 8 knots we would be on a windward/leeward course but the swell, or remnants of it allowed some wave action, albeit limited by the presence of Jury boat, and judge David Batty. There were some train crash first beats and with little chance of improvement, it would have been human to have them put down. Up the second beat, since this was where the action was, and with a just about perceptible increase in pressure, Gillard extended his hiking position and his advantage. Ollie Wells was the big mover and was up to second at the top mark, or would have been if he had not panicked and misjudged the lay line, gifting Davis the inside lane. No matter, by the bottom of the sausage and with a shortened course finish in sight, he was in second. Davis looked like he had caught a Jellyfish and dropped to fourth with Pete Mitchell gaining to complete the podium. Jowett finished a very creditable fifth and was revelling in the light winds and awkward chop. Vanda uses a Needlespar Fat Boy Slim/North ST2K and this rig was proving very effective. The fleet re-grouped, wounds were licked and minds re-focused on race 2. Race 2 The breeze had gone west to 200-210 and the pin boat was re-positioned further upwind to sweeten the left side. Clean start under the black flag and this time, like the Referendum vote, a very even split. Mark Lee and Vanda Jowett were hard left while Andy Davis who had started just down from the committee boat and on the line worked the right with Ian Houston and Pete Mitchell. After 15 minutes the leaders rounded with Davis first from Jowett and Kevin Gibb. Guy Lonsdale, Mark Lee and Tim Law completed the top six. The fleet headed off to the wing mark, sails filling and stalling in the light breeze, or "awel" if you are Welsh. Davis extended gradually over the 2 laps to win with Jowett, Lee and Lonsdale, all in a holding pattern while Gibb was spat out of the back. Steve Denison, 7th in race 1 would finish 5th, with Peter Ballentine who was battling with a shredded mainsheet, 6th from Law. Tom Gilllard would add an 8th to his score with Pete Mitchell and Steve Ede completing the top ten. The rescue teams escorted the fleet in to the smooth sandy beach as the veil of fog once again descended over the course. Back on shore and with the results crunched even before the last boat hit the shore it would be usual suspect Andy Davis who would be leading the Championship with a 4-1 scoreline. Vanda Jowett could sell her 5-2 while Tom Gillard sits in third with a 1-8. Tonight the fleet will celebrate or drown sorrows, with any luck, and if there is any fairness in the lottery of prize draws, Horey, Brown and Bonner will be picking up some amazing prizes from Raceday 1 sponsor ROOSTER. Gillard and Davis collect their free pint for their first beat prowess and there will be some booby prizes for moments of blondness. The forecast for tomorrow is not promising but with the AGM in the social program, excitement and drama are guaranteed. Day 2 and 3 Don't trawl through the various reports, you have not missed any of the action! Day 2 and Day 3 at the beautiful location of Pwllheli have been disappointing from a sailors point of view. The fleet were kept on the beach on Monday, the weather stations prediction of a max of 6 knots was realised early in the day and the PRO Mike Butterfield put us all out of our misery by 1pm. With such a wonderful backdrop of the Snowdonia National Park the competitors reunited with their partners and set off to sight-see, top up tans or donate funds to the Plas Heli bar takings. The AGM was held in what can only be described as the best venue we have ever frequented. The sailing club's wooden decked amphitheatre with dinghy park and welsh mountain range in the background and the sun briefly illuminating the committee before disappearing to the west. I will save the detail of the results of this meeting with NSCA members asap. Day 3 was North Sails Raceday but although the forecast was for breeze from the south east at around 6-8 mph and increasing to a heady 21mph by the late afternoon, this would not come to fruition. After a 2 hour delay the fleet did launch but with two aborted starts under our belts and the wind strength dropping below the minimum limit of 5 mph, we were sent ashore for the day. I was able to apprehend Pete Mitchell from North Sails and he gave an impromptu tuning session. Tomorrow is another day with light winds forecast but high expectations of three completed races.

Team Salcombe practice their “dancing around the handbag moves” while they wait for the breeze to arrive.

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Race day 4 Sponsored by P+B Let me take a moment... breath in, breath out. Quite a day on the water, 6 hours on the water and just 1 race completed. The fleet had been released from the beach and hopes were high for the day as the sun and westerly breeze welcomed the fleet to the race area. The PRO for the day Henry Wright stood atop "Banzei" calculating wind bearings and wind speed data.

Race 7 (first one of the day) The direction was 210-230 and was forecast to move west through the day, this resulted in a righthand favoured end and standard recall. The black flag was hoisted and the line reset with some port bias. The grouping at the pin end was something Eric Bristow would have been proud of but the PRO was not impressed. The breeze was holding at 12-14mph and with the Welsh mountain range as a backdrop we went into the countdown. With 20 seconds to go there were numbers over and at the gun 14 unfortunate souls were slain. The remainder were recalled. Another start sequence and a large contingent still pushing the PROs patience envelope. There should have been numbers taken but the fellow on the congested pin end boat fell down and so no BFDS but another general recall. The fleet lined up for the fourth attempt, still port biased and busier at the pin end than a strawberry seller at Wimbledon. While the reported wind shift at the committee boat was 9-10 degrees, there was a much larger shift everywhere else and at the gun a synchronised tack onto port. Andy Davies and Mike Sims popped out of a gaggle and lead into the top mark in a very one sided beat. Behind there was a massacre and no way back into the race. The wind stayed left resulting in a tactless starboard reach to the righthand leeward gate mark. Davis extended on Sims who was now mounting a comeback following his lacklustre start to the campaign. Steve Denison was up to third with Ian Hopwood, Peerke Kortikaas (HOL) and junior Alex Corby 6th and Grand master Ray Collins was a commendable 7th. The second beat and downwind leg remained one sided but, with the PRO on knees and looking for absolution, it finally went right to provide a square beat and run. Davis won by a convincing four and a half minutes from Sims, Denison and fast finishing Peter Ballentine. Steve Ede was next to finish from Kortikaas, Ian Hopwood, Mark Lee, Pete Mitchell and Alex Corby.

Those who had been black flagged included Vanda Jowett, Tom Gillard and Ollie Wells, all who were front runners in the championship race.

Race 8 This is where things get a bit hazy and my will to live starts to waiver. Despite repeated attempts and more black flags than there are sheep on the lush green landscape that surrounds this neck of the woods, we could not get the race started. The fog that had blighted the start of the regatta snuffed out the breeze and pulled the direction through many compass bearings and with only 3 knots recorded across the course and a couple of hours of waiting, a large part of the fleet elected to go towards the beach. With no foreseeable breeze on the horizon the PRO cancelled racing for the day. In a final twist, and as the fleet were towed in, the wind increased to 12 knots and inflicted a low blow to the balls.

Ashore we were kept busy with protests but with the cold facts confronted and analysed by Commodore Bob Lowe, Class President Will Loy and awesome Jury man David Battye, the race would stand.

So Andy Davis leads the event from Steve Denison, Peter Ballentine, Pete Mitchell and Mike Sims.

The bar in the evening was packed with competitors, all hoping to win the P+B 50% discount voucher (worth £450) which would be put towards a brand new P+B mainsail. Andy Fox was the worthy and extremely excited winner. Andy Bayliss and Andrew Hyland won two awesome P+B sail bags worth over £70 each.

I will now retire with a pint and a cold flannel and dream of clean starts, happy sailors and Kylie Minogue.

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Steve Denison

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Raceday Sponsor is HD Sails After a very late night and one too many drinks in the lavish Pwllheli bar, I awoke to the sound of a particularly vocal Seagull. A waft of breeze through my partially open sash window peaked my enthusiasm to get out of the bed that had been my sanctuary from the hell of yesterday. At the marina there was a buzz as competitors readied themselves for another day of general recalls. Out on the race course PRO Mike Butterfield made final race checks and taped prayer mats to the deck of "Banzei". The wind was at 200 degrees and at 12 knots across the start.

Race 5 A starboard bias on the line produced the first general recall and two further attempts under the black flag resulted in a number of high profile casualties, Chris Brown and Steve Ede among them. With the fourth attempted start finally away, the 82 sailors powered upwind, the Pwllheli swell and sunshine combining for some near perfect racing conditions. You could see the anguish that had been painted on to the competitors faces disintegrate and on Banzei, the prayer mats were rolled up the stowed away...for an hour or so. First to the mark was Ollie Davenport on a mission after a DSQ on day 4 with Tim Law second, Andy Fox, Ian Hopwood, Pete Mitchell and event leader Andy Davies in sixth. Law gained water at the gybe mark and moved into the lead with Davies up to third. Good wave technique was a pre-requisite if you wanted to make places and there were some with skills and some with spills. Law held at the top and Davies nipped inside Davenport to move menacingly into second. Mike Sims was in fourth with Pete Mitchell fifth and with Steve Denison in the works Winder hull, second overall and in sixth in the race, relishing the downwind legs. Law, no stranger to a high pressure environment used all his skill to deny Davies another trophy for the cabinet and held on the shortened course for the gun. Davenport showed his talent to record third with Sims, Mitchell and Denison completing the top six.

Race 6 After a short delay we were into another set of start sequences which we hope to include in our SIs in future. That would be; 5-4-1-recall-5-4-1-recall-5-4-1 start. Eventually the fleet were off and the pressure was holding at 12knots. Iain McGregor was elated at rounding first and could almost taste the "first to the mark" beer on his parched lips. Davies rounded second from Hopwood and Dave Mitchell with Davenport and Sims in close pursuit. Davies was in the lead by the end of the lap and extended on the second beat as the wind tracked right. This time the PRO was on the ball and had dropped a new top mark accordingly. The race played out over the remaining legs and at the gun it was Davies who recorded his third bullet of the series in convincing style. Davenport was second from Tom Gillard, Pete Mitchell and Mike Sims.

Race 7 As the last competitor crossed the finish line the start sequence began. From my lofty position on the "media" rib I counted at least thirty sailors with feet up and lunch laid out on the dinner table that is also our centreboard capping. I appreciate the PRO wanted a clean start and the super quick turnaround certainly reduced the chance of BFD so he was actually doing them a favour. There were chuckles and giggly faces from those at the favoured pin end but in a now familiar ironic twist, the wind went right at the gun and those still wallowing near the picnic area, cleaned the crockery away and hardened up to cross ahead of the beggars on the left. Davies played the right middle of the course, never too far away from the rhumb line and eased around the top mark with Leo Dixon in second who was having a blinder and Hopwood third. Sims, Ollie Wells and Dave Mitchell were all up close and personal and the fleet peeled off behind them down the generous reach. The wind was down to 10 knots so clear air was critical and going low was not a big gain maker. Davies controlled the race over the next three legs and romped to a facile win from Sims and Dixon. Steve Denison and Tom Gillard had worked the gust and wave combination to finish next from Wells Mitchell and Peter Ballentine. The fleet returned to the beach after the shortened third race, the PRO keen to ensure the fleet had enough energy to pull their boats up the beach. I do hope the local council can get the sand removed from the slipway soon, albeit too late for the 82 competitors here. I do need to make some clarifications that, while tedious to the average reader will soften the blow to this who were black flagged in yesterday's second race.

Sunday we completed race 1 and 2. Race 3 was postponed and sailed on Wednesday. Race 4 was postponed and will be abandoned or not re-sailed until all other races have been sailed. We completed races 5-6 and 7 today and, with an earlier start time of 10.30am we will attempt to run races 8-9 and 10. So, we will hopefully have 9 races completed by lights out tomorrow.

Andy Davies has just about wrapped this Nationals up, and with a day to spare.

Peter Ballentine is 1st junior in 6th with Oliver second junior in 7th while Tim Law is 1st GM in 8th. Martin Honnor is 1st Veteran in 13th and Vanda Jowett is 1st lady in 28th.

Tonight is the Class BBQ at the club and at 9pm is the daily early bird prize giving which will be sponsored by HD Sails. Fittingly, top prize is a one on one coaching session with Andy Davies. There are also some spot prizes for "where's Wally" and the President's beer tokens. Free food, two free beers and free prizes, no wonder the bar takings are up.

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Raceday Sponsorship provided by Milanes Foils.

The final day of racing dawned with grey skies and supposedly light winds. Pwllheli now resembled almost any other UK town in the hight of summer, discarded chip wrappings meandered down the street like tumbleweed and puddles of water collected on uneven pavements. I followed the path of a leaf as it worked the wave pattern of ripples to its destination, breeze on? At the club, competitors slowly readied themselves for the days racing in a rather melancholy fashion, already contemplating their twisting journeys along roads that could feature in "Top Gear". PRO Mike Butterfield was keen to get the race course laid and racing off on the revised start time of 10.30 and so the fleet were released promptly at 9.45am. It was soon evident from the Jury rib, which incidentally would also be my media ride, that there was a surprising swell and good pressure, contrary to all the weather stations normally accurate forecast. Race 8 On the course there was 13 knots and, following a clean start the fleet were in play. The intention was for a triangle-sausage course so the windward leg was 0.75 of a mile long and had everyone hiking hard as they battled to be first around. Tim Law took that honour and, after bending my ear in reception with regards to race management he was leading from the front on how to sail fast too. Tim has decades of yachting experience behind him, and I mean decades, so his advice is always worthy. Ian Hopwood, Andy Fox and Event leader Andy Davies were next round. Tom Gillard, Pete Mitchell and Martin Honour filled the next three positions as the fleet set off down the fabulous wave patterns of Pwllheli. Law held at the gybe and Gillard and Davies were through to second and third. The second reach was just as fun as the first, the angles set by the PRO proving accurate. The second beat was a hard test of stamina and the leaders held their positions and drove downwind to finish in this order. Pete Mitchell and Ian Hopwood completed the top five. Oliver Davenport and Peter Ballentine, the two youths fighting for the Turnbull Trophy which is a Silver Cigarette box finished sixth and seventh. Race 9 The wind was shifting considerably, first the right looked good, then the middle and then the left, yep, it was going hard left. At the top it was Chris Brown who had done little right all week but would claim the President's Beer Voucher...probably the only prize that he would be collecting for his weeks efforts. Law was second and his steely blue stare was turning anyone near him to stone. Those that had gone middle and right were left stranded as the wind continued tracking left leaving Gillard and Davies in the low twenties. Mike Sims who had rounded in fourth worked his P+B powered Winder downhill to take the lead at the gybe with Law, Martin Honnor, Steve Ede and Peerke Kortikaas (HOL) were improving with Davies and Gillard making up places like Bonner makes up stories. They were both inside the top 10 at the bottom. The windward mark was moved right as the wind veered, now the breeze was from out of Abersoch, which kept Brian Holland happy. Law and Sims exchanged the lead down the last run to the finish with Sims gaining the inside lane and a few lengths advantage to ease his nerves. Gillard was just not close enough but took his second third of the day. Peter Ballentine secured first junior with fourth from Kortikaas and Davies with Martin Honour and Hopwood just behind.

Race 10 could not be started, I will save you the details but something like recall, BFD, recall, BFD, recall. The wind continued right and reduced to 3 knots, as predicted but three hours later than anticipated.Finally, fireworks were ignited and burst from Banzai's deck, signalling the end of the regatta.

So Andy Davies wins the SUPERSPARS Solo National title and sailed impressively all week, in all conditions and without any BFDs to his name. A sublimely smooth technique, excellent tactical guile and his very relaxed approach has once again got him to the top of the pile.

Congratulations to our younger competitors, Ballentine, Davenport and Corby who have shown high skill and responsible drinking manners, we need to change that attitude. Tim Law is first Grand Master, despite my misguided action's to try and keep him younger and once again showed us that age is just a number. First Veteran is Martin Honnor and first lady is Vanda Jowett. Paul Hoad won the first Solo under Sail number 4000 and Ross Lonsdale was first wooden boat despite the "all white" disguise that had alluded my attention. Well done to all competitors, it was a privilege to film you all racing.

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Andy Davis

Age 33 Height 6ft Weight 80kg Hull Winder Mk2 Mast Selden D+ Sail HD Maxx Gold Foils Bloodaxe

Tip for sailing the Solo

Raise your centreboard slightly on the start line to avoid going head to

wind.

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NORTH SAILS SUPER SERIES 2016

With just one event remaining, Andy Davis is leading the North Sails Super Series from Mike Sims and Pete Mitchell. There are currently 31 qualifiers with a further 20+ helms that can still qualify for the End of Season draw at Oxford (EOS 29 October). 4 events required to qualify. Davis has 3 wins and 2 seconds and an unassailable lead which means he has successfully defended his title. He will be relieved to learn that we have upgraded the trophy this year. Mike Sims win at the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy, backed up by a second and 2 thirds reflects the quality and consistency of his season. Pete Mitchell and Ian Hopwood are tied third with Steve Denison and Chris Brown tied for fifth. Hopwood, Brown, David Redpath and Dave Mitchell have attended 7 events which is highly commendable and with a qualifying system where every event you attend after the first 4 counts as an extra ticket, they currently have 4 each for the draw for a new NORTH SAILS Laminate mainsail. There are a further 4 qualifiers with 3 tickets each and multiple qualifiers with 2 tickets. We had 38 qualifiers in 2015 and should easily smash that record in 2016. Do make sure you check the Solo site for a round up of all NORTH SAILS Super Series results, there are a couple of amendments and do not forget, You have to be at the EOS to be in the draw and maybe collect your prize! A massive thanks again to North Sails for supporting this “Major” series and supplying one lucky winner with a brand new spanking North mainsail.

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Solo Specific Committee

COMMITTEE VOTE AGAINST ALTERATIONS TO THE NATIONAL SOLO You will now be aware that we, the NSCA committee have been exploring some possible alterations to the National Solo. The Spring Magazine highlighted several of the possible design features, including; An optional flotation chamber-enabling the Solo to float lower when capsized. Optional reduced width capping to reduce shin injury and provide more room in the cockpit. Optional reduced height of case at rear to enable easier movement under the boom. Increase in correctors to allow for loss of capping material. Optional positioning of correctors to under the thwart. Optional tiller over transom operation. Faired thwart to deck AGM At the AGM the committee were instructed to; " Discuss as swiftly as possible with all builders what changes could be achieved without affecting the boats performance, the cost implications for retro fitting an existing boat, and that they demonstrate at no cost to the NSCA their solutions via a prototype which has RYA dispensation only to race Solos". It soon became apparent that the flotation chamber required testing to a level that we could not undertake without financial implication and would heavily impact the smooth deck lines of the Solo. The reduced height of capping would be insignificant and as a prototype was not available the members could not express an opinion on. The fairing of thwart to deck would be cost prohibitive for no real advantage. There was no tiller over transom example for the members to view, so could not express an opinion. While we were unfortunately unable to have a prototype built (understandable since builders would not want to lose a commercial advantage and the cost of such a venture would be high and labour intensive), Dave Winder did have one of his 'works boats capping, altered which we were most grateful for. The boat in question was given temporary dispensation to race other Solos. The width of capping was reduced and it was displayed at the Inland Championship where it received mixed reaction. The cost of such an alteration would be approximately £300. Meeting with RYA Technical The RYA pointed out to us that the IP of the National Solo, that is, what they see as the Solos defining features are the bow profile and the centreboard capping. The tiller operating through tiller port is also seen as a Solo characteristic. If we wanted to change these features then the RYA strongly recommended that we alter our constitution to enable postal/electronic voting to the entire membership (for this level of rule change). The RYA confirmed that we can hold an EGM/AGM early in the year for the purpose of a rule change if the committee were in favour of the possible changes. We would need rule change proposals sent to our Hon Secretary by Jan 1 and the EGM/AGM could not be sooner than Feb 1. The RYA hold the technical drawings which they would need to alter and this could be a long process, out of our control. If the committee did not approve the possible rule changes then there is nothing to stop a member proposing some or all of the changes in the usual manner, submitting those proposals with seconder by May 1 with the vote being held at the AGM, historically at the Nationals. If though, one or some of those rule change proposals were to alter the defining features, as outlined above, then the RYA strongly recommended we change our constitution to allow postal/electronic voting to all members. The RYA also had concerns regarding the logistics of altering existing cappings. Re-measurement, re-weighing and re-certification would all be needed to be carried out before the Solo would be deemed legal to race and there would also be cost and time implications. There is real concern that some owners would not do this.

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Last weekend at the Inland Championship I spent several hours out on the water last Friday, at the Inland Coaching Day, observing if and how members utilise their centreboard capping. The wind was gusting up to 20mph so a good heavy weather test. I have to say all of the fleet used the capping at some point. The capping provided a pushing off point when getting to hike position. The capping toe holes provided leverage to pull back into the boat. The capping toe holes provided good grip when climbing aboard. The capping provided a solid base to lock feet under when reaching and on the run. The hole in the capping allowed sailors to relieve themselves! The committee and myself spoke to many competitors over the weekend and I have to say that the feeling was generally against any of the proposed changes. To me it feels, having had time to process the potential changes, and maybe the vision of 78 Solos lined up all looking identical, a collective love of the Solo, including its eccentricities was clearly visible. While there is no doubt that the example of a capping revision, kindly created by Dave Winder and Steve Denison is a sleek and elegant design, the beauty of the Solo fleet is the identical look of the one design. Steve sailed brilliantly to finish 5th overall and there was not one competitor who thought a speed advantage had been gained. Unfortunately, I feel the look of the capping is so different it would diminish the overall look of all other Solos.

My fear is that if we adopted this change or changes to the Solo, members would feel compelled into either buying the new design or spending money on an alteration, perceiving it to be advantageous. Overall and despite my initial eagerness for these changes, that is, the capping width reduction and reduction in height, tiller over transom arrangement, lead increase and positioning, I am now against these changes. I would say that the actual look of the capping and tiller over transom changes would be so seismic that it would effectively split the fleet in two and put financial demands on members to stay up to date via new build/alteration or risk poor re-sale, even if the changes were optional.

What Now While the ideas from members, realised by my article in the Spring magazine certainly got the membership talking, they have put serious pressure on our boat builders. Orders have dried up amid uncertainty of if these changes will be voted on and agreed or not.

In Conclusion The NSCA Committee have voted, after considerable investigation and internal debate, not to support these changes, as the negatives, outlined above, outweigh the positives. As the RYA commented, members can put a rule changes forward in the normal manner and we, the committee, have at least explored a number of alterations, and to a high degree. I hope that the membership are satisfied that we, as a committee have investigated these potential changes and accept our findings. There is no doubt that sailing in general is becoming less popular. That said, the National Solo remains one of the strongest classes in the UK and we are all owners of a unique single handed dinghy which, when lined up in the dinghy park or on the start line, looks virtually identical to the eye and the unknowing spectator. We will continue to work pro-actively to promote the National Solo and to protect your precious investment.

“A collective love of the Solo, including its eccentricities was clearly visible”.

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Solo Specific Feature

From Laser to Solo at the National Championship

I came to the Solo Nationals from doing International Laser sailing in both the Standard and Radial rigs, most recently the Delta Lloyd Regatta in Holland and Kieler Woche, Germany.

I decided to do the Solo Nationals when Ian Houston suggested it and offered to try and find me a boat to borrow.

I borrowed a Solo from a kind club member from my home club Redesmere. It was an eight month old Winder mark 2 with a D+ mast and a HD radial cut sail. Before the Nationals started I had managed to do just one Solo open event at Carsington and a couple of days training at Pwhelli; one of those days with Mike Sims.

The main difference between the Solo and Laser was for me, the introduction of shrouds and a forestay. I tried not to mess around with rig settings too much during the week as I didn't want to over complicate stuff and take my concentration away from the sailing. The first day of the Nationals was fairly light with between 6-8 knots. I found it difficult to know how much to ease and pull on the mainsheet to get the right leech tension and felt like the boat was stalling out whenever it got to any kind of chop. In hindsight I think I could have moved my mast foot back to get the mast more upright and create a bit more feel through the rudder. Also in the lighter winds, at first, I found the mainsail very strange to tack as in the Laser the tack is quite smooth and all one movement. With the fully battened sail, the tacks felt like it had two stages. Stage One, heading the boat up into the wind and heeling the boat on top of you. Then, when you got to the middle of the tack there been a drop in power from the rig. Stage two, when the battens pop onto the new side and a sudden increase of power and having to move across to the new side quickly to flatten the boat. On the two windier days at the Nationals I felt more comfortable in the boat when hiking out, despite the hiking position been quite different to the Laser position. While going upwind I used the same techniques that I use while sailing a Laser upwind; concentrating on keeping the bow of the boat in contact with the wave using body movements and the rudder whilst also playing the mainsheet so as to not over sheet the sail and drive forwards whilst also not slipping sideways. On the start lines I also found the Solo reacted differently to the Laser as it was much slower and you had to be careful not to lose flow over the foils. Maintaining flow being paramount to controlling speed and direction. I had a great time on and off the water at Pwllheli and I’m planning to compete in the End of Seasons at Oxford in October.

Olly Davenport

“Maintaining flow being paramount to controlling speed and direction.”

OllyDavenport

Age 19 Height 1m 186cm Weight 82kg Hull Winder Mk 2 Mast Selden D+ Sail HD Sails

Tip for sailing fast; “ Concentrate on keeping the bow in contact with the waves, using body movement and rudder whilst playing the mainsheet”

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HARKEN National Solo Inland Championship 2016 Pre Event Coaching Friday 16th September dawned cloudy and wet at Rutland Water where 20 sailors enjoyed the free coaching day, traditionally the pre-curser to the Inland Championship. The NSCA team of coaches, led by Pete Mitchell provided lot's of on water exercises and off water theory which was consumed by the trainees with much enthusiasm. The trainees had been split into three groups, based on the various standards, Derek Jackman oversaw the beginners and remarked that they were better than they themselves thought. Dave Mitchell and Steve Ede looked after the intermediate group and Graham Cranford Smith and Pete Mitchell put the advanced group through their paces. The moderate to brisk breeze tested the trainees boat handling skills, while the driving rain tested the coaches resilience. Unfortunately the one casualty of the day due to H2O inhalation was my Fujifilm F1 which meant no video highlights of the weekends action! Jackie and team at Rutland Water provided a wonderful evening meal of steak, peas and chips, not forgetting the peppercorn sauce, which was very appreciated. Saturday Day 1 The various weather channels were predicting 12-20mph Saturday and this was realised and gratefully received by the 79 entrants. I was disappointed as the Class President, but, with 3mph forecast for the whole of Sundays racing, I should not be so hard on myself. HARKEN Race 1 With my filming skills curtailed due to camera ill health, I resorted to rigging up and headed for the race area, nervous and suffocating slightly, my sailing attire had seemed to have shrunk over the last 7 months since it last saw action. With velcro fastenings loosened and Optimum time piece set for go, the fleet compacted into the start zone. There seemed to be bias towards the port end and with many of the fleet over at the gun, the inevitable recall followed. I believe the second start under the U flag was also canned so for the third attempt the black flag was released from it's bindings, its dark shadow casting its spell over one poor so and so but otherwise all clear. I had worked a nice pocket to make a good start near the middle and powered off in full hiking mode...which lasted about 20 seconds before resuming a more placid sitting position. One of the beauties of the National Solo is it's lovely comfy decks and deep cockpit which become your friend when your legs get tired. My quadriceps soon recovered and I went back into hike hard mode, albeit at the cost of a dozen or so places. My forward motion was also hindered by the peculiar feeling when you go over the whirlpools that frequent Rutland Water which should really be avoided. I squinted into the strong gusty northerly, the yellow windward buoy just visible and the leaders approaching fast. Yep, they were that far ahead already. My vision of winning one of the "first to the mark" HARKEN wholly hats was pushed to the back of my mind..for now. Andy Davis, reigning National Champion had nailed the first beat with Mike Sims in second and Oli Wells third. Davis had gone right, Sims Left, that is Rutland, right there. PRO David Rowland must have been chuffed, a start line where the leading pair start at opposite ends is the race officers dream, and it had been realised. The first leg of the triangle was very deep and the fleet compressed as the wind filled in from behind. On water jury, Steve Watson was on hand to police the fleet and unsurprisingly, there was only Rule 42 rule breakers all day. The look of surprise on Ian Hopwood's face after his foul play resembling the look on a Pope being accused of atheism. Davis and Sims held position for the remaining legs with Tom Gillard pipping Wells for third. Martin Frary found some form to finish next, from Chris Brown sixth.

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HARKEN Race 2 A quick turnaround and another recall/black flag start resulted in one more BFD for the result sheet. The breeze was holding at around 10-12 mph and with some gathering cloud which I automatically factored into my grey matter. I was holding station, playing centreboard position and mainsail angle and making a nice little pocket for my start. With thirty seconds to go my plan was shot down with the arrival to leeward of event leader Davis. The starting made easy 101, "find a muppet to start near" unsettled me a little and I tried to avoid eye contact. No point in letting him see I'm having kittens. Out of the start and I was "holding lane" as they say these days. Davis is a joy to watch and I did....as he sailed away. I obviously need to work on my photography/racing mode but it is easy to lapse into spectator. I also seemed to find myself on collision course with the whirlpool again. Chris Brown had made the best of the starts and after working the beat and hooking into one of the odd left handers that sometimes shoot out of the creek, rounded first to collect the HARKEN "first to the mark" hat. Shane McCarthy was in the mix with Davis, Sims and Steve Denison in his Winder with capping conversion which the class are looking at. Davis took the lead up the second beat but Brown regained the lead at the top, the training from the previous day was paying dividends. Davis was having none of it and took the lead down the run and held for the third lap to take another bullet. Denison, Sims, Gillard and McCarthy completed the top six.

HARKEN Race 3 The wind had freshened and with some cloud coming across from the right the fleet were congregating towards the committee end. With many years of Rutland experience under my belt and obviously knowing better than the seventy eight other sailors, I headed for the pin end. Hotshots shook their heads and wished me well, offering their precious food and drink for my long journey to the windward mark. I declined and powered off left, my earlier vision of a HARKEN hat rekindled like a school boy romance with a girl called Tracy. After five minutes on starboard I craned my neck over my right shoulder, yep, the fleet are still there. I looked ahead, past the Water tower which I used as my layline reference into the mark and prepared to tack. The shift came about 3 minutes later than I had liked and saw me reaching into the top mark, unfortunately, straight into a line of starboard tackers. One of the drawbacks of the modern ODL/MAX sail is that you see lot's of angry faces through the ultra thin laminate. I made a hole, tacked and did my turns accordingly. Mark Lee claimed the HARKEN "first to the Mark' hat and with such a cherub like face, it will suit him this Winter. Davis, Gillard and Ian Hopwood, who shook off the dizziness from his earlier R42 turns were next around the mark with the other seventy five competitors doing their damnedest to catch up. Davis and Gillard extended over the next three laps with Gillard unable to break the National Champion's grip. Hopwood took a well earned third from Ewan Birkin Walls, Mike Sims and Pete Mitchell.

So overnight Andy Davis would lead the HARKEN Solo Inlands with Tom Gillard second, Mike Sims third, Chris Brown, Steve Denison and Ewan Birkin Walls.

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Party? The fleet retired to shore and prepared themselves for the evenings 60th Anniversary Party. The National Solo fleet are not known for the wild social get togethers, unlike the Merlin and Scorpion fleets there is so much more decorum. For this special event the NSCA pulled out all the stops, hiring a band and providing food and free bubbly. Our Hon. Treasurer was unfortunately unable to attend the event though we believe the dark room and flannel have calmed him down now. Jackie, Gregg and the team at Rutland provided us all with a lovely meal and "The Peas" band were awesome. Not to be outdone, I myself gave one of my speeches to thank Jack Holt for his vision of building a "little singlehander". The thunderous applause I would presume was for Jack, and rightly so. Solo 6000 The evening's climax was the draw for Solo 6000, a brand new Winder Boats National Solo with Selden Spars, HD Gold sail, Harken hardware, Creation Covers and Hiking Straps , CB Trailer Combi and one years free Insurance from NSCA Insurer, Noble Marine. The package worth over £7500 would go to one of the 848 members of the NSCA. Our Hon. Secretary stood by with laptop so we could ring the lucky winner "live" from Rutland. Jackie, Rutland's catering manager plunged her slightly sweaty fingers into the pot, initially pulling two slithers of paper but gravity and fate at last had their moment in the spotlight and it was the name of Patrick Burns that echoed through the bar. A split moment of silence then a shriek from the audience. Amazingly, the winner was one of the competitors and to top that, had come all the way down from Scotland for the event. There could not have been a more appreciative winner and very vocal with it. There was much sympathy for Kev Gibb, his long time fellow sailor and travel companion who would now suffer hours of Patrick's chirpy voice on the long journey home. The winners speech was indeed gracious and his thanks to all sponsors is echoed by members and NSCA committee. Sunday dawned with no wind and none forecast. After an hour postponement the decision to can racing for the day was made and there were no protests from the sailors.

With all three races counting there were some hard luck stories but overall the weekend was a complete success. Andy Davis continues to impress with his skill and is an absolutely worthy HARKEN National Solo Champion 2016.

Along with the overall results there were other winners. Mark Maskell was 8th overall and first Veteran John Steels was 36th and first Grand Master Brian Fisher was 57th and Septimus winner Jarvis Simpson won the Plate Series John Ball was 37th and first Vintage boat of which there were 7 entries. Next year we will run a Vintage Championship as a separate event and I have the Vintage Event Leader rash vest ready for it!

Massive thanks to HARKEN for the prize fund which was incredibly generous and was warmly received by the competitors. Thanks as always to Phil Kilburn at NOBLE MARINE who continue to offer excellent insurance cover for our Solos.

The Inlands also forms part of the Super Series, sponsored by North Sails which will be concluded at Oxford at the EOS, October 29.

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Andy Davis (right) celebrates with Ian Hopwood

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Solo Specific Area Report

Solo Western Area Report – August 2016 Well now, this the first report from your new Western Area Rep! Many thanks Nick for your (continuing) support in the handover.

For me this has been an interesting year having returned to Solo sailing after a 40 year break….. still finding it hard to accept that my body can no longer do what my head still thinks is possible. My focus is now on trying to extend what I call my ‘mean time between cock-ups’ which presently is less than the length of the average race – ah well there’s always next year!

So – how has 2016 been thus far for us Westerners? Still some way to go, we have completed 7 of 11 events with 5 to count, overall only 2 Sailors have qualified so far – Graham Cranford-Smith (Salcombe YC) is in pole position with Vernon Perkins (South Cerney SC) in second, yours truly is a sort of third but I need one more event to qualify. The turn outs for the series so far have averaged 17 which is pretty good however we would really benefit from more people travelling to events, the fact that only 2 have qualified so far clearly emphasises the point. However there’s still 4 to go so let’s see if we can get a few more qualifiers!

I will be sending out the programme for 2017 shortly so please can the Fleet Captains respond promptly so we can get our dates finalised as soon as possible.

Good sailing for the rest of this year and hope to see you at the remaining open meetings.

John Steels – Western Area Rep.Solo Western Area Report – August 2016

BOOK REVIEW Fernhurst Books have unveiled the latest in their “Tuning to Win” series, and this one is really relevant to the National Solo. Working with Ian Pinnell from P+B, the book is broken down into the most important aspects of sailing fast.

Each chapter explores such topics as, Boat Preparation, Equipment, Rigging, Controls, Sails, Ropework, Two Boat Tuning and Care and Maintenance.

To quote the Introduction:

“Boatspeed is a vital ingredient in winning, but many races are won by only a few boat lengths or seconds. Given that most dinghy races last between 30 minutes to an hour, you are talking about a tiny difference in boat speed. A 30 second lead in a 30 minute race only equates to the winner going less than 2% faster than the other boat!”

Utilising Ian Pinnell’s vast experience in many classes, including the National Solo, the reader will gather information that has taken sailors many years to attain. While many of the examples shown are of the 505, there are also some very informative items pertinent to the Solo.

Do yourself a favour and put this on your Xmas list.

Will Loy

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Report; Mark Maskell Pic; Chris Nicols


Eastern Area Championship Blackwater S.C

Four of the Five races scheduled were run over the two days in sunny but windy conditions with average 25 knots and gusting 30knots at various times making for exhilarating reaching and, at times, perilous runs. Excellent race management meant all races were turned round promptly with good fair lines and courses maximising the use of the Estuary. Saturdays race 1 the fleet were away first time and the leading group of Steve Ede, Dave Griffiths and Vince Horey. At the windward mark the breeze picked up to 30knots in a huge gust that hit the middle of the fleet at the gybe mark leading to a few capsizes and lots of wearing round to survive. The leaders stretched out their lead and had a close race with Vince taking line honours, followed by Steve and then Dave. Race 2, the breeze had moderated to 20 knots at the start and this time in the hunt was Jarvis Simpson who went hard right up the beat to round in the top 3 with Dave Griffiths leading followed by Vince and then Steve. On the second beat it was still close and Simon Charles had closed up to the leading group. A tack with the kicker on by Steve meant he went for a swim while the rest of us flew down another white knuckle run followed by either gybes or wear round depending on if you were in a gust or not. Vince managed to fall in on the last gybe and this allowed Dave Griffiths to win race 2, Vince got upright in quick time much to Jarvis' surprise and piped Jarvis to the line and snatched what looked like a certain 2nd from him leaving Jarvis in 3rd. Race 3 got underway quickly and this time Vince led from start to finish chased all the way by Steve, Dave, and Rob Laurie and finished in this order. Sundays racing looked like the fleet would get some respite from the wind, but as forecast at time of launching the wind was a steady 27knots and out in the sailing area it was touching 30 knots with white horses all over the course area. Some of those going to the Nationals the following week decided to call it a day and headed home leaving a depleted fleet for the first race. Tony King showed great speed on Sunday after straightening his mast out overnight (after a spectacular wipe out in the Saturday) and was chasing Vince and Dave. At the top of the second beat the wind increased again as a big black cloud came down the course making the run pure survival conditions with a few hardening up to sit it out until it moved away. Vince again won, with Dave second and Tony 3rd. The race team decided enough was enough and abandoned the last race.

Report; Mark Maskell Pic; Chris Nicols

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With 7 out of the 10 Midland area events completed I'm pleased to say there been record attendances at this years events. The average attendance for the 2016 Solo Midland Series is now over 24 boats, the lowest turnout this year has been 17, highest 32. This is 20% higher than last year and nearly 100% higher than in 2014.

After last years increase in attendance I wasn't expecting the numbers to increase again so its been nice to see the area supported by so many sailors, some new faces some familiar and some travelling long distances. Sailors have been rewarded with a competitive day of racing in a good-sized fleet. All the events have seen an increase in number, but a special mention needs to go to Midland SC who in 2014 had 8 boats attend their open and this year (after the efforts of the Club and fleet Captains) had a great turnout of 24. It was satisfying to see the efforts of the club be rewarded with such a big increase in turn out.

The series has seen some close racing with 6 different winners of the 7 events and the series leader has changed hands on many occasions. There are already 10 qualifiers with 3 events to go and a further 6 people need just one more event to qualify.

It’s been the most open series for many years. Chris Brown is currently leading, Stuart Hydon who has won the series for the last few years got off to a slow start but is now showing his class and is in second place, with Nigel Davies who lead the series early on in third and Kev Hall another series leader in fourth and the first Northampton boat. Northampton SC is looking strong for the team prize, which they narrowly missed out on last year. They have also been a great supporter of the series sending many boats around the Opens.

The three remaining events in the 2016 Rooster Midland Series are, Notts County 10th Sept, Bartley 2nd Oct and Staunton Harold 22nd Oct.

Rooster is supporting the series and will provide vouchers to the top seventeen qualifiers and the winners of the team prize. Rooster vouchers can be used on their web site www.roostersailing.com, which sells everything a Solo sailor needs. The Midland events and information are posted on the Solo web page and on Facebook group ‘Solo Midland Area’ so please take a look and come and join us, please remember we are in the middle of the country so none of you have far to travel! Nigel Davies

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Eastern Area

As I write this following August Bank Holiday, four eastern meetings remain to be raced for; Ely, Hunts, Stewartby and Royal Harwich. Alan Bishop currently leads the series with an impressive 3 wins to his account and is looking to discard a 4th to improve his score. He looks to be tied on points with Steve Ede but enjoys the better score on countback.

As usual we have a number of helms who should be able to qualify, depending upon who does which events of those remaining. It remains to be seen who goes to Stewartby and who goes to Harwich, but the area prizes will need to be presented at the End of Seasons as in previous years, due to the clash of dates.

Thames Valley

The Thames Valley this year is a good deal less healthy, with very few qualifiers. Losing two events has made a big difference to the level of support, where several events were located geographically close to each other, and although small clubs, they fleshed out the league. Where do members go when their sailing club disappears? The next nearest Solo-friendly club, or what is their alternative? Certainly the number of qualifying events needs to be reduced but even that only promotes three more qualifiers as we stand in 2016. Soon it will be time to look at the options for 2017; it might be worth reinstating Broadwater SC into the Thames Valley as it was in previous seasons, unless an approach is made by another Thames Valley club?

Godfrey Clark

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Moulded from epoxy foam sandwich the hull is very light yet enormously stiff. They are jig-assembled in the mould to ensure accuracy and consistency and the hand-layed epoxy is done by the same skilled team who have been building Merlins for years.

In contrast to the traditional wet-lay technique, resin infusion sees all the materials placed in a gelled mould and using a vacuum the resin is infused through the fibres. The results are stronger, stiffer and more consistent. With our years of experience using resin infusion Winder Boats are pushing the innovation boundaries and are often called on to offer training to a wide range of professionals

in its use.

Mark 1 Maximum waterline length, minimum rocker and

minimum beam Suits open water Lighter sailor (up to 85kg) Mark 2 More rocker, a fuller bow and more V in the hull Suits inland water as it tacks quicker and is more

forgiving Carries more weight Mark 1a . Optimised deck moulding

Winder boats, Kensington Street, Keighley, Yorkshire. BD21 1PW

T: 01535 604980 F: 01535 605371

[email protected].

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2016 Results1st Nation’s Cup Medemblik1st Welsh Championship Abersoch1st National Championship Pwllheli1st Inland Championship Rutland Water1st Scottish Championship St Mary’s Lock1st Super Series

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NAT-21369 Solo Magazine Autumn 16 Section 1...2016-2017 Title/ Name Address Telephone Email Address...

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Transcript of NAT-21369 Solo Magazine Autumn 16 Section 1...2016-2017 Title/ Name Address Telephone Email Address...