National Solo Open at Dell Quay Sailing Club
by Liz Sagues 13 May 2013 07:55 BST
12 May 2013
Intensely competitive racing at the front of the fleet at Dell Quay SC's National Solo open meeting on May 12, a qualifier for the Southern Area Travellers Trophy, left the overall placings in doubt until last lap of the final race. In conditions which challenged even the leaders, with the south-westerly wind gusting into force 6, there were plenty of capsizes but also much very skilled and tactical racing round the triangle-and-sausage course.
The 27 entrants came from 11 clubs across the south east, and such was the strength of the visiting racers that the leading home boat could finish no better than eighth.
Race one saw the fleet get away cleanly, with plenty of place changing in the close bunch at the front. Steve Ede (Ardleigh), fresh from his victory at neighbouring Chichester YC's meeting the previous day, led at the end of the first triangle, only to be overtaken by CYC's Ian Barnett and then, as the race was shortened, by Will Loy (RYA). Ede regained second place, pushing Barnett to third ahead of Tim Jackson (Papercourt).
In race two – the only one to see a premature starter despite the competitiveness of the racers – Ede was soon in the lead, and stayed ahead until the three laps were completed. Behind, it was again very tight, as both the planing offwind legs and the beats offered opportunities to gain places. Barnett passed Loy to finish second, with Jon Jowett (Littleton) fourth.
So as the much-reduced fleet lined up for the final start, either Loy or Ede could take the winner's prize. This time, though, there was soon a new face at the front of the fleet, Mark Harper (CYC). Behind, all the top boats jockeyed for position, with Ede in second place until a windward mark incident let Barnett pass him.
Loy, though, was always in touch. Things changed in his favour when a vicious gust hit Harper in mid tack at the end of the second sausage and left the leader with a boat full of water. But the smiles on the faces of the sailors immediately behind soon vanished as Barnett tried to nip through on port tack, Ede capsized in avoiding him and turns were taken.
As a result, Loy passed all three and with Harper hard on his transom headed towards the finish with a comfortable lead over Ede, to take overall victory.
First Dell Quay boat was Bill Dawber, the veterans' prize went to Harper – who was fourth overall behind clubmate Barnett – and the first grandmaster was Nick Marden (Bough Beech) in seventh position.
Overall Results: (top ten)
1. Will Loy, RYA, 2pts
2. Steve Ede, Ardleigh SC, 3pts
3. Ian Barnett, CYC, 5pts
4. Mark Harper, CYC, 7pts
5. Jon Jowett, Littleton SC, 10pts
6. Tim Jackson, Papercourt SC, 10pts
7. Nick Marden, Bough Beech SC, 12 pts
8. Bill Dawber, DQSC, 15pts
9. Derek Jackman CYC, 17pts
10. Roger Millet, CYC, 17pts