NSCA Solo Open at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

21 entries for this year's open meeting at the Leigh on Sea Sailing Club including 10 visiting boats were greeted with grey skies a NE offshore breeze with a few spits and spots of rain.

After the usual bacon butties, coffee and tea and a briefing by the PRO Steve Corbet the fleet set off to the offshore committee boat.

Leigh-on-Sea Solo Open - photo © Dave Smith

A good 12 knots of wind provided excellent racing conditions as the first race of three got under way. A short leg to the windward mark was led closely together by Tim Lewis (5704) Paul Payle (5180) and Jamie Morgan (5923). During the next three legs over a trapezium style course these three swopped places as the wind oscillated. The remaining fleet followed closely behind with many of the previous days Vintage Championship boats keeping up with the modern boats. By the end of a shortened course Morgan led the fleet home from Playle and Lewis. Richard Hudson (5554) came in a close 4th.

A quick turnround for race 2 saw the wind slightly decrease and back which led to a crowded pin end start. Jonny Wells (5597) nailed it and led the fleet around the first mark whilst rest of the fleet swopped places as the wind shifted back and forth. Wells got ahead and stayed ahead until the finish. Lewis was 2nd and Dave Goudie (4040) 3rd followed closely by Morgan in 4th.

Leigh-on-Sea Solo Open - photo © Dave Smith

Similar to the previous race the wind kept decreasing which led to the course being altered to suit. A good starting line saw Godfrey Clark (4801) in good form leading the chasing pack around the first windward mark. The leaders from the previous races were swopping places as the wind and the out going tide came into play. With the wind decreasing even more and with the tide reducing, the race was shortened. Hudson had played the shifts well and eventually ended up in the lead which he held on to the finish ahead of Clark. Rob Laurie (5863) was 3rd and Morgan 4th.

Hudson Morgan and Lewis were all tied on 5 points so the overall winner of the Old Oak Brewery Trophy was Hudson as he had won the last race, and Morgan had beaten Lewis in the last race.

Leigh-on-Sea Solo Open - photo © Dave Smith

The fleet headed back to the shore in an ever decreasing breeze pleased that no less than having to completed 3 races.

The prize-giving held in the open aired top floor of the club by Colin Walker, the retiring LSC Class Captain introduced Steve Hill the club Commodore who presented the prizes.

Steve, himself a solo sailor, welcomed all the 10 visiting soloists for making the effort to come to Leigh.

Overall Results:

First LSC boat and under 4000; Matt Tothill (3987) in 8th place

Richard Hudson thanked the club and its members for all who had helped in making the opening meeting a success