Harken UK Soling Nationals at the Island Cruising Club

Sun, sea, Solings and sinkings were the ingredients for the 2004 International Soling British Championships hosted by Island Cruising Club at Salcombe.

With a Southerly Force 5, fourteen Solings set sail for the course laid out on the range beyond the notorious Salcombe bar. The first race, first beat saw Gary Richardson in GBR 155 “Buzz Light Year” executing a port hand flyer, crossing ahead of the fleet by 5 boat lengths. Suddenly their boat speed was lacking as an old bow repair failed causing the front tank to fill and the stern to lift out the water. Ken Bailey in GBR 156 was given dispensation for assisting the stricken yacht until a safety boat was on the scene. Whist the recovery of GBR 155 was being undertaken, Hugh (Spud) Davies with Team Marshalla in GBR 5 was demonstrating there superior boat handling, clearly winning the first race.

With GBR 155 being towed backwards into the Salcombe estuary, her bow submerged to its mast, and under the coast guards observation, the decision was made after the second race to get the yachts back over the bar before the ebb tide made conditions worse.

The second day brought the wind, sea and sun that Salcombe is famous for. With a force 3 to 4 out on the range the conditions were perfect for the conclusion of the series. With a wind gradient across the course and more wind out to sea the flooding tide caused the left hand side to pay for Chris Dodgshon in GBR 157, who won the first race of the day, Cockatoo 2 GBR 143 adding another second and first to previous days results. Team Buzz in GBR 155 was back on the water after a midnight recovery from a sandy beach to gain two thirds and their confidence. Race 5 was all change with the wind increasing inshore and stronger tide out to sea the right hand shore huggers of GBR 155, GBR 131 GBR 165 and GBR 157 split the fleet in two with Gary Richardson taking the win. Realising the change of conditions, in the last race Team Cockatoo 2 tacked at the committee boat end to head out far right, judging the lay line perfectly GBR 143 rounded the first mark and did not look back. Mike Preston, Bryan Bottomley and Ron Preston in GBR 143 Cockatoo 2 defended their British Soling Championship title in 2004 by taking line honours in the last race along with consistent results over the series.

Thanks were given to the Island Cruising Club team for their hospitality and for running an enjoyable event. Thanks also went to the race officer and team along with the safety boat crews for a job well done in difficult seas and conditions. The President Trophy for the first boat over 20 years old was awarded to Team Seven in GBR 131. Team Marshalla in GBR 5 from Barry in Wales secured second place overall whilst Scottish Veteran Hamish Loudon with Team Solaris in GBR 161 defended third place.

Overall Results: