Solo Thames Traveller Series at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club
by Nick Marley 8 Oct 2023 08:58 BST
7 October 2023
The Solo class took to the water on a beautiful sailing day, ready to compete in a one day series of races. The weather was unseasonably amazing for October, feeling like much earlier in the summer.
The course set for the day was a challenging triangle sausage, promising both strategic manoeuvres and fast-paced action. The weather conditions were near perfect, with the wind blowing steadily between 9 to 12 knots, providing an ideal setting for competitive sailing. With temperatures ranging from 20 to 23 degrees Celsius, sailors enjoyed the warmth of the sun as they prepared for a day of intense racing.
The day consisted of four races, with two races scheduled in the morning and two more in the afternoon. In the first race of the day, a few sailors encountered capsizes due to unexpected strong gusts of wind, adding an element of unpredictability to the competition.
By lunchtime, it was clear that Adam Meekings, Mike Dray, David Mason, and Tim Lewis had established themselves as the front-runners, creating a significant gap between themselves and the rest of the fleet. The afternoon races promised an exciting showdown between these four sailors, as they battled it out for the top spot on the podium.
As the temperature rose to a comfortable 23 degrees in the afternoon, so did the excitement on the water. After an intense series of races, Mike Dray emerged as the series champion, showcasing exceptional sailing skills and consistency. Adam Meekings secured the second position, while David Mason rounded off the podium in third place. Among the local sailors from IBRSC (Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club), Peter Halliday managed to hold onto his top spot, despite not participating in the last race, narrowly fending off a challenge from James Collett by RRS A8.1.
The day's racing had been a true test of skill and determination, leaving sailors and spectators alike with lasting memories of a beautiful day for sailing.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | Mike Dray | 6017 | Hawley Lake SC | 1 | ‑4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 2nd | Adam Meekings | 5676 | Maidenhead sailing club | 3 | 1 | ‑4 | 3 | 7 |
| 3rd | David Mason | 5582 | Silver Wing Sailing Club | 2 | ‑3 | 3 | 2 | 7 |
| 4th | Tim Lewis | 6010 | RYA | ‑4 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 8 |
| 5th | Steve Jones | 5730 | Littleton SC | 5 | 5 | 5 | ‑6 | 15 |
| 6th | Ian Cherrill | 4650 | Frensham Pond | ‑7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 17 |
| 7th | Tim Medcalf | 5089 | Tamesis Club | 8 | 7 | ‑12 | 7 | 22 |
| 8th | Mike Barnes | 3847 | RYA Lagos YC | 6 | 10 | 9 | ‑12 | 25 |
| 9th | Peter Halliday | 4071 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | 11 | 8 | 7 | (DNC) | 26 |
| 10th | James Collett | 5091 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | 10 | ‑11 | 8 | 8 | 26 |
| 11th | Ben Russell | 4670 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | 9 | (DNF) | 13 | 9 | 31 |
| 12th | Bill Hutchings | 4551 | Tonbridge Town | ‑12 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 31 |
| 13th | Mike Jones | 5215 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | ‑13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 32 |
| 14th | Tim Gabriel | 5684 | Island Barn Reservoir SC | ‑14 | 13 | 14 | 13 | 40 |