Solo Open at Chipstead Sailing Club

John Reed wins the Chipstead Solo Open © Dave Rudman

With a SSW wind blowing 10 gusting 15, 18 sailors including 16 home boats took on Chipstead's Solo open - the first Solo open at the club in the summer for many years, in the hope the weather would be kind...

Race Officer Guy Wilkins started off the day setting a figure of eight course encompassing the majority of the lake.

Race 1 got off to a great start, Alistair Roaf sailing with his Edge composite sail was first to the windward mark and never looked back, though Class captain Dave Rudman kept hunting him down (also with an Edge sail) for the first two laps. The race wasn't without without incidents though, Richard Ball almost lost his tiller on the first lap and dropped back several places as a result having also broken his in-haul. John Reed (HD Gold) picked up the pace to chase Alistair down to take second, followed by Mick Kostiw (North) in 3rd. So 1 - 0 Alistair.

Race 2 soon got under way and everyone was starting to find their feet. John (ex Chipstead member) started to pull away from the fleet and took a quick command. Many boats favored the north shore and some favored beating up towards the middle of the lake... those who did found the lifts and started to pull away from the chasing pack. So Alistair 1 - John 1.

Race 3 kicked off straight after lunch and as the clouds built the wind fluctuated alot and started to swing more southerly..... which if you know Chipstead always makes for an interesting race. An interesting start as the pin end proved the right end as everyone held back to avoid a recall. With strong gusty patches, you had to keep your wits about you. With a couple of crash tacks, our first capsize of the day went to James Hart, who went on to take the wooden spoon for capsizing the most... Richard, now with a fixed boat kept John on his toes, but victory for Race 3 was John's - Alistair 1 - John 2

Race 4 saw the only general recall of the day, though Alistair admitted at the end of the race, "holding onto ones tiller just before the start would have perhaps been a more sensible thing to do, but it made for an interesting start" summed up his final race of the day. With rain threatening and constant wind changes there was only one man to show the way - Congratulations to John Reed for wrapping up 1st on the last race and taking the overall honors of the day.

Overall Results: