Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik, The Netherlands - Day 2

Epic conditions on Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik Day 2 © Will Loy

Super Saturday promised to be a memorable, with four races scheduled on a course which resembled a gigantic corrugated sheet, the sailors skill, strength and endurance would be tested at the highest level.

I had already displayed all of those qualities on day 1, and that was just to put my socks on. The breeze, which had been blowing hard through the pretty streets of Medemblik all night seemed to have mellowed but the IJsselmeer still looked daunting and the forecast was for an increase to 20 mph through the day.

Competitors, weary from exertion, alcohol and protein overload, readied their Solos for the competition ahead while in the carpark the Olympic wannabe women were already 3 hours into their morning circuit training. I thought for a moment I saw athletes Dave Lucas, Andy Fox and a few others taking part but I guess they were just watching.

The fleet would launch on to the water for a 10.45 a.m start and so I scuffled with my kit to the jetty to jump aboard my ride for the day, The man mountain that is Nialls and his co-driver were there to greet me, cheerful and friendly, their youthfulness yet to be tainted by the years ahead of global warming, taxation and World War 3. We left the shelter of the harbour into a sea of green frosted icing, the famous IJsselmeer chop providing a ride akin to driving over speed bumps at 70mph and we were still in tick-over. I popped a few pain killers into my mouth for good measure and summoned the last vestiges of spit to help them on their way before fastening my Bainbridge International offshore jacket.

I pulled my NSCA anemometer from the strong reliable pocket, imagining that my crew would be properly impressed and took a reading, "only 6 mph" I announced, before realising I was holding it up in the substantial lee of my body. Nialls looked away, possibly choosing a nice spot of water to drop me off in and gunned the motor.

Race 4 Wind Strength 12-14mph Course triangle-sausage-energy sapping final beat.

Paul Dijkstra nails the pin again with Rich Pepperdine a bit too punchy and OCS, Davenport, Morgan and Roelof Kuipers are all smashing out to the left with Davis, Bakker and Lee. Gillard has started deep off the line and is giving himself plenty to do as the fleet test the resilience of FRP/wood and human muscle fibres up the long first beat.

The left has paid and Davenport rounds first, looking as happy as a pig in mud with Dijkstra, Davis and the unfortunate Pepperdine OCS next. Junior Harry Lucas is excelling and therefore rounds fourth with Morgan on his transom and hungry to improve on his day 1 efforts. Jamie had to fix his kicker just minutes before the start, displaying good seamanship, scouting skills and a level head, he just needs to strengthen his drinking stamina.

The reaches were both exciting and petrifying and that was me on the rib so it must have been a harrowing experience for the less accomplished sailors. The gybe mark did what it says on the tin and claimed some victims though everyone survived the day.

Davenport extended and had 150 metres at the top mark with Dijkstra, Morgan and Davis so close you could throw an undercover over them. Pepperdine still held a moral fifth with Martin Frary, Lucas Junior, Huisman and Brown just behind.

Chris Brown enjoying the surf on Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik Day 2 - photo © Will Loy

There was no stopping Davenport though, winning by a healthy margin and sending out a strong signal to his nearest rivals with Morgan, Dijkstra, Davis and Lucas completing the top five.

We took up position near the start line and I opened a packet of Skittles, belligerently offering them to my crew, the least I could do after they had earlier handed me a warm apple turnover, fresh from the committee boat. I holstered the rest of the packet and readied my Nikon P950 for race 5.

Race 5 Wind 13-18mph

A general recall brought out the black flag and with 90 seconds remaining we were all alone at the pin end. I ordered the driver to motor behind the line and joined the competitors as they screamed towards us. Ian Hopwood wanted the pin and despite Kev Gibbs efforts to do an Aussie hook made the best start with Tedd Bakker, Morgan and Gillard heading left with them.

There had been a late wind shift to the left and this caught out many of the competitors.

At the top mark it was Morgan from Davenport and Dijkstra with Gillard and Huisman right on their transoms. The reaches were glam, dramatic steering angles required to stay on the waves as they danced erratically towards shore. Morgan took off like a scalded cat with Gillard making the most of the downhills to move into second. Davenport had lost some ground but would be relishing the upwind struggle as the fleet prepared for more pain. Dijkstra, Huisman, Peter Kyne, Brown, Frary, Lucas and Fox were all enjoying the conditions though you could not tell from their expressions.

At the gun and after another scary run and energy sapping beat it was Morgan with the bullet, fist pumping the air but not with the authority of a Tiger Woods major win, there is, after all, five rounds to go. Davenport, who had been gaining on Gillard lee bowed him 200 metres before the finish, forcing Gillard to the right and when they next crossed Davenport was clear ahead and took second with Dijkstra and Frary completing the top five.

I wiped the spray from my Nikon and surreptitiously sneaked some Skittles into my mouth for sustenance, the apple turnover so graciously given, just a fading memory in my mind.

The next moment we were flying down towards the harbour, full bore and with me hanging on for dear mercy. Peter Warne, who had capsized was lying atop his craft like a Seal taking in the morning rays. The mast was stuck fast and though I looked concerned and caring, I was secretly craving to get back to watch race 6. Twenty vital minutes passed and with Peter back in the boat I thought we would get back out to the race area but Nialls was now in full-on safety mode and we spent the whole race shepherding dinghies back to the sanctuary of the harbour. My Race 6 race commentary is then, slightly brief.

Jamie Morgan scored a bullet in race 5 on Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik Day 2 - photo © Will Loy

Race 6

It was windier, the waves were steeper and Davenport took another win with Morgan, Gillard, Matthew Frary and Chris Brown completing the top five.

I re-booted my aspirations and looked forward to getting International Sailing's equivalent to an Oscar for the footage and photos I was about to get, the Sun was in its perfect orientation, the breeze was at it's most powerful and most importantly, I still had battery life in the Nikon.

Roger Lumby analyses his mark rounding on Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik Day 2 - photo © Will Loy

I pulled my trusty water wicking cloth from my rucksack and wiped the moisture from the lens in readiness, It was at that exact moment that my driver whispered "we have to go" and floored it.

Grabbing the mounting point with my one free hand we tore off towards the middle of the course as the fleet lined up for the start sequence. I was then subjected to the sort of physical test only jet fighter pilots undertake, the G force nearly ripping the skin from my face. Fortunately, the Bainbridge International fastenings held strong otherwise I swear I would have been butt naked. Clearly, Nialls was on a mission but there was already a safety boat in attendance, It then dawned on me, he must have seen me eating the sweets and was getting his own back.

We lashed onto the other rib, I, with my back to the team, pulled the Skittles out and openly ate the lot.

It was only after several minutes that I turned around and realised that there was a sailor onboard with a large gash to his head. An OK sailor, he had been hit by another OK mast as it capsized. Did I feel bad.

We screamed into the harbour, Nialls mastery of rib driving was impressive and an ambulance was at the scene in minutes.

After that we were on rescue duty for the remainder of the day so race 7 goes like;

Race 7 Windier, Wavier, Sunnier

Davenport wins from Dijkstra and Gillard after the two of them had a good scrap. Morgan and Menno Huisman completed the top five.

Event Leader Oliver Davenport on Solo Nation's Cup at Medemblik Day 2 - photo © Will Loy

The fleet returned to shore after four exhausting races and in the evening enjoyed a wonderful BBQ and free beer, courtesy of the Dutch Class Association. Magic Marine provided some great prizes and tomorrow we look forward to lighter winds and a three way battle for the title.

Davenport, Dijkstra and Gillard are tightly bunched with only a few points and three scheduled races between them and glory.

Results after Day 2: