Noble Marine Solo Winter Championship at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club

Brenda Hoult in the Noble Marine Solo Winter Championship at Chew © Errol Edwards

Charlie Cumbley wins the Noble Marine Solo Winter Championship at Chew © Errol Edwards

What a difference from this time last year the the Beast from the East was just beginning to arrive here in the UK. Saturday morning arrived with cloudless skies and spring like temperatures. It was going to be a beautiful day.

Fifty one visitors from as far afield as Ireland arrived at Chew Valley Lake to join the nine local solo sailors for the Noble Marine Solo Winter Championships. The entry exceeded last years record entry of 57.

The first race was delayed by 30 minutes to allow the wind to settle. The forecast wind direction was South East but with the wind swinging 60-90 degrees the race management team made the right decision as when the wind did settle to its forecast direction, the fleet were blessed with a very manageable 10mph wind speed, appreciated by those who had made this event their first outing of the year or who had wrenched themselves away from the golf course.

Race 1

With a 60 Solos on the race course, racing was very close through the fleet. Mark rounding especially at the leeward mark was very tight with big gains and losses being made depending on mark rounding techniques chosen. Charlie Cumbley who with faultless reading of the wind shifts and excellent boat speed led from start to finish. Tom Gillard was in close pursuit and finish second with Tim Lewis finishing in third.

Race 2

The first attempt to get the fleet away was thwarted by a combination of an over enthusiastic fleet keen to get away and a wind shift that caught many over the line at the committee boat end. A quick line adjustment was made and the fleet got away at the second attempt. Those who chose to start at the port end of the line got caught out by boats sailing down the line from behind and being forced to shoot the pin end mark. Tom Gillard and Graham Cranford-Smith both had a very interesting time trying to get away after being caught out in the pin end melee. Meanwhile, back at the front it was Charlie Cumbley who was again leading being chased by Andy Davis. Nigel Thomas finished in third and Chew Valley Lake sailor Tim Johnson finishing in fourth.

Race 3

Most of the fleet chose the committee boat end of the line to start but those few that were at the opposite end gained gained the advantage of cleaner air and a wind shift. Mark Maskell almost port tacked the fleet! The third race was dominated by Tom Gillard who after was his poor start in the previous race, was fired up to show that it wasn't just Charlie Cumbley that could dominate at the front of the fleet. Brenda Hoult was in second position for the first lap but losing position to Charlie Cumbley on the second lap.

Overall all competitors were very complimentary of the organisation of the event both on and off the water. Race Officer John Smalley and his team were highly praised for their slick management of the racing. Thanks were also given to Charlie Watson who judged the racing in his fair and assertive manner !

Noble Marine the event sponsors were represented at the event by Phil Kilburn. The National Solo Class Association President, Doug Latta thanked Noble Marine for their continued support and giving discounts to Class Association members for insuring their boats with them.

Prizes were also awarded to the winners of the 2018 Western area Travellers series. First prize went to Bob Taylor from Tata Steel SC. Second place was John Steels from Starcross SC and third to Vernon Perkins from South Cerney SC.

Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club will be hosting their annual Solo open meeting on June 8th and no doubt more Solo Championships in the future.

More photos can be seen at: www.flickr.com/photos/cvlsc/albums/72157689960342633

Overall Results:

Prize winners in the Noble Marine Solo Winter Championship at Chew - photo © Errol Edwards