Solo Open at Littleton Sailing Club

Race 1 start during the Littleton Solo Open © Anthony Gurr

There was a brisk North Easterly blowing down the lake allowing the OD Dan Goodman to use the whole length of the lake, setting a courses with two beats, a long run and a nice fast reach across the lake, the same course worked for all four races. All the starts got away first time allowing four good races to be held during the day.

Twenty-one boats came to the start for the first race, comprising 12 visitors plus 9 Littleton sailors. Vince Horey (King George SC) quickly took control of the race and pulled out a good lead over the following pack. Tim Lewis (RYA) was second with Fraser Haydon (Papercourt) taking third.

Littleton Solo Open - photo © Keiko Toma

Race 2 followed and again Horey was first to the windward mark and extended his lead as the race progressed. Julian Rickards (Littleton) was second with Hayden again taking third.

The cold breeze had taken its toll and the sailors were now grateful for a short lunch break and a chance to add an extra layer before heading out for the last two races.

After lunch Race 3 and several boats were over the line at the start. None of the perpetrators returned to restart, though Horey who mistakenly thought he was one of them did return and so found himself at the back, a capsize later on did not help and he did well to finish 8th. John Reed (Bough Beech) was first to the windward mark and held on to take the win, Lewis crossed the line second but had been over the line at the start and so it was Hayden who got second place with Andy Hyland (Spinnaker / Lymington Town) taking third.

Vince Horey (5730) and Tim Lewis (5561) during the Littleton Solo Open - photo © Anthony Gurr

Race 4 and the wind was strengthening for the first beat and run with a fairly hectic scene at the leeward mark, the wind then moderated for the rest of the race. Horey again capsized and decided to call it a day. Hyland took the win with Reed second and Hayden back in third.

At the halfway stage you would have put your money on Vince Horey to take the event but it was not to be, John Reed with a 1st and 2nd in the afternoon took the win from a consistent Fraser Hayden who had 3 thirds and a second with Vince Horey taking 3rd place overall. Julian Rickards took first home boat overall finishing in 5th place.

Overall Results:

John Reed (5045) leading a group during the Littleton Solo Open - photo © Anthony Gurr