Solo Open at Sutton Bingham Sailing Club
by Roger Battersby 3 Jun 2013 14:12 BST
2 June 2013
Light winds for the Sutton Bingham Solo open © Lauren Neal
On Sunday 2nd June, Sutton Bingham Sailing Club hosted their first Solo Open Meeting for many years. After a few years in the doldrums the Solo class has seen a resurgence of interest at the club, and this year mainly due to the sterling work of fleet captain Adrian Neal the club managed to get 11 Solos out for the open meeting. These members were joined by visitors from Bowmoor SC and Staunton Harold SC.
The wind on the day was light and variable as predicted and the morning race was sailed in very fluky conditions, a small improvement in the afternoon meant the northerly breeze blew a little stronger and there were slightly less calmer patches for the sailors to fall into.
Early in race one the fleet split into 2 with Geoff Silcock, Howard Frear and Richard Frost getting a huge lead on the rest of the fleet and fighting amongst themselves. Geoff won from Howard and Richard.
Race 2 got away in a little more breeze with Roger Battersby leading from start to finish, chased closely by Colin Newton for most of the race Howard however closed the gap towards the end and finished a close second to Roger with Colin third.
The final race decider saw Richard and Howard get away fast at the start with Richard leading round the first couple of laps, Howard however chased hard and passed Richard on the second lap and held the lead to the finish, followed home by Richard and Colin.
Overall then Howard Frear finished first, returning to the Solo fleet after a few years away he showed the rest of the sailors the way to do it. Geoff Silcock from Bowmoor SC proved the journey down from the Cotswolds was worth it with a second place overall, and another local sailor and Solo newcomer Richard Frost was third.
An enjoyable day was had by all the sailors, trying to get to grips with the shifty Sutton Bingham winds was always going to be a challenge, but thanks to Race Officer David Thomson and his team all enjoyed good courses and 3 races in lovely sunshine.
Overall Results:
1st 4615 Howard Frear (Sutton Bingham SC)
2nd 5378 Geoff Silcock (Bowmoor SC)
3rd 4901 Richard Frost (Sutton Bingham SC)
4th 4986 Roger Battersby (Sutton Bingham SC)
5th 4930 Colin Newton (Staunton Harold SC)
6th 4069 Chris Jones (Sutton Bingham SC)
First Lady: Lou Hart (SBSC)
Endeavour: Mike Riley (SBSC)