Superspars Solo UK Nationals at Plas Heli - Overall

Ollie Wells on day 6 of the Superspars National Solo UK Championship © Will Loy

Race day 6 sponsored 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 height of summer, discarded chip wrappings tumbled 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

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 actions 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 eluded my attention.

Well done to all competitors, it was a privilege to film you all racing.

Day 6 of the Superspars National Solo UK Championship - photo © Will Loy

NSCA President's Closing Speech

We had a wonderful week at this, the SUPERSPARS 60th Anniversary National Championship. It has been difficult on the water for both competitors and the race team, and especially difficult for the Principle Race officer, Mike Butterfield. Thanks also to Henry Wright who stepped into the PRO's Dubarrys on Black Wednesday and dealt with some very difficult situations, on and off the water. Unfortunately the rescue teams main action was to tow the fleet in and ensure Vince Horey was safe following his capsize on "windy Thursday". The only casualty on the water was the lad on the General Recall rib who is now on medical leave with a repetitive strain injury.

Thanks also to Neil and the team for allowing me onto the Committee boat and providing myself with a media rib and competent driver. My last driver was Jim Hunt who obviously had never done a RYA Powerboat course, I still have the bruises to prove it. Neil may lack eloquence in his vocabulary but he knows how to get the job done and is a real assist to Plas Heli.

We thank you, Bob Lowe for your hospitality this week and hope we can return one day.

There were many emotions each day as we came off the water, frustrations did sometimes, boil over. Fortunately, the sanctuary of the club bar was only 600 metres up the sandy beach, and by the time the sailors got there, they were all too knackered to moan.

All the bad memories were soon extinguished with a nice cold beer and the warm smiles from the bar team. Every day were all received the friendliest most efficient service. Even Kevin Gibb's big scary face could not break the Welsh resolve to make us happy.

Day 6 of the Superspars National Solo UK Championship - photo © Will Loy

Donna and the whole bar and Catering team are a credit to Pwllheli Sailing Club.

Many thanks to David Battye, our "on the water" jury and "off the water" protest man who has an incredible knowledge and perfect delivery of it to the competitors. There were very few infractions of the rules but his presence was much appreciated.

I would like to thank my committee for their contributions which are not just this weeks event but over the entire year.

Gordon, Alison, Sam Steve, Phil, Robert and Chris, your efforts to get the fleet of 83 Solos measured was necessary and was as efficient as ever. Thank you from myself and the fleet.

Thanks to our race day sponsors, Rooster, CB Trailers, P&B, North Sails, HD Sails and Milanes Foils, your generous prizes ensued the bar was packed out every evening.

Finally, thanks to Noble Marine who keep us on the water every week.

Next, we move on to our "celebration of the National Solo" event, Draycote Water, 20-21 August. Full details at www.solosailing.org.uk

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Solo nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here