Solution Open at the Felpham Sailing Club Regatta

Solution sailors at the Felpham Regatta © Tony Lord

Nine Solutions received a very warm welcome and joined the annual Felpham Sailing Club Regatta on 19/20th June for the first Solution open this year.

The boats took to the water for two races on Saturday afternoon under an overcast sky and wind blowing 10-12 mph. Jack Turnbull (Redoubt), Peter Blackman (Burghfield) and Martin Tubb (Leigh & Lowton) were quick out of the blocks in Race 1 with the others in hot pursuit. Jack made it to the windward mark first followed by Martin and Peter as the front three pulled well clear of the rest of the fleet. Jack saw his healthy lead slowly diminish as Martin and Peter closed the gap, but Jack held on to take line honours with Peter a close second and Martin third. Kevin Clark and Kathryn Clark (Lee on Solent) took 4th and 5th with newby to the class, Paul Field (Benfleet) a respectable sixth.

Start line fortunes were reversed for Race 2, with Peter and Jack completely mistiming the start and finding themselves being spat out at the back of the pack, while Kevin, Martin and Paul headed the fleet. By the time they reached the leeward mark to start the second beat Peter had managed to overhaul the fleet and take a narrow (and short-lived) lead. Jack, Kevin, Paul and Kathryn all took the right side of the beat and pulled in front. As the wind started to die, Jack took the lead with Kevin second and Paul showing good boat speed to take an excellent third. Peter and Kathryn were left to battle it out for fourth and fifth with Kathryn holding on to fourth in a photo finish.

Felpham provided an excellent Thai curry evening.

Sunday morning saw a steady onshore breeze and a light mist/drizzle as the sailors took to the water. Race 3 got off to a good start with Jack and Kevin taking a commanding lead, only for the race to be abandoned and restarted after the wing mark broke loose. As Race 3 got under way for a second time it was clear the wind was not going to hold out as it became a battle against a strengthening tide. Kevin Clark took an early lead up the beat but Peter and Martin came in from the port side. Peter tacked round but the tide took him onto the mark as Kevin's dolcit tones rang out across the water "You touched that!" - who would have known those glasses gave Kevin X-ray telescopic vision to see the lightest of touch on the opposite side of the mark !? Martin capitalised on the situation and took the lead as Peter re-rounded, with Kevin and Jack coming up close behind. As the wind continued to die and the sun made everyone regret their choice of layers, Peter made the best of the tide and managed to overhaul Martin on the final beat to take the win, with Jack third and Kevin fourth.

After a warm break for an excellent lunch the wind filled back in and the fleet took the water for Race 4. Jack regained his mojo and took an early lead with Martin second, Peter third and Kevin fourth. The signs were not good for Race 5 as the wind started to die again. With the tide running it was all about who could get to the windward mark first. Jack and Peter both managed to slip round and let the tide stretch out their lead as the others battled the tide to make it round the mark. With the shortened course flag flying and barely a breath of wind remaining Jack, rounded the last mark narrowly ahead of Peter and took the inshore line towards the finish. Peter spotted a bit of pressure off shore and gambled to tack out into the tide. The gamble paid off, Peter picked up a bit of breeze and crossed the finish to take first as Jack struggled to find any wind. Kevin and Kathryn took third and fourth, with Martin fifth and Paul sixth.

As the boats came off the water, trays of cake were a pleasant surprise.

Overall honours went to Jack Turnball (Redoubt SC), with Peter Blackman (Burghfield SC) a solid second and Martin Tubb (Leigh & Lowton SC) third.

Thank you to Felpham for a warm welcome, great food and excellent race management in difficult conditions.

Overall Results: