Solo Open at Burghfield Sailing Club was held on October 1st 2011. The Open saw six visitors join 10 locals for the eighth and penultimate meeting in the 2011 Thames Valley Solo series.
Watching the weather forecasts throughout the week leading up to the event the predictions were for an Indian summer with soaring temperatures and light winds. Arriving at the club early to clear blue skies, temperature already in the twenties all that was missing for that champagne day was the force three!! The lake was a mirror, but as the boats were rigged and the bacon butties consumed the wind started to show itself in patches but only a force one in the 'gusts' at best. The race officer Steve Townsend took the briefing and got us on the water setting a course that used the middle and top of the lake where the zephyr was just enough to give the sailors a fighting chance to keep their boats moving. Race one got underway with local helm John Eubank taking an early lead accompanied by the Thames Valley Series regulars Simon Corper, Barry Wickes and Dan Goodman with BSC Fleet Captain Paul Bristow gaining downwind to close the gap at the finish. Two laps were raced in the drifting conditions with Simon Corper taking the win from Barry Wickes, Dan Goodman, John Eubank and Paul Bristow.
Back to the club house for lunch over which a little more breeze became evident at the top of the lake allowing Steve to set a respectable first beat. Once again the leading bunch from the first race got away in the slightly stronger but shifty breeze joined by local helms Ian Linder, Dave Jones and early showings by Colin Price and Keith Runacres. Simon again took the win with Barry, Dan and John finishing in the same order as the first race and Ian Linder taking fifth.
The course and the breeze remained the same for race three with just a little more in the gusts at times allowing the legs to be stretched upwind. This time Dan Goodman got away on the first beat with Barry Wickes and John Ewbank. Simon having taken two bullets and therefore the open win headed back to the clubhouse to prepare his winning speech!! Dan took the win from Barry, John, Paul, and in fifth another local helm Peter Angwin.
Back to the club house for tea, cakes and a beer the prize giving was hosted by BSC Fleet Captain Paul Bristow with Glassware being handed out to the top three and top BSC helm.
Congratulations to Simon Corper for his two race wins and the event overall in his brand new Winder/Speed Mark 2 on its maiden voyage, apparently keeping up a tradition of winning first time out with a new 'Speed' boat!!
My thanks to the lake management team who made a monumental effort over the preceding two weeks to keep the lake sailable allowing the event to take place.
Many thanks also to the visitors who took part and to the race officer Steve Townsend, assistant race officers and the rescue crews for all their efforts which despite the challenging conditions made for a thoroughly enjoyable day.
The Thames Valley Solo Series is still not decided with Simon Corper and Dan Goodman neck and neck, the 2011 title is still to play for with the final event of the series at Kingsmead next Saturday where the winner takes all.
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