Solo Winter Championships at Oxford SC

by Solo media/Claire Clark on 8 Feb 2006 The first championship event in the 50th anniversary year for the Solo Class was held at Oxford SC on 4 February. The Winter Championships sponsored by Edge Sails attracted 73 entrants despite a poor forecast of grey skies and very little wind.

Visitors travelled from as far as Scotland, Wales, Essex and Devon to take part. Three races were run over traditional Olympic style triangle/sausage courses but although the wind strength never rose sufficiently to sit on the gunwale, it was felt adequate enough to get some light-weather sailing done.

After three general recalls the fleet got away for the first race with Jim Hunt marking his return to Solos after a three year absence by taking the lead. Jim was chased hard until approaching the leeward mark for the last time when an extra zephyr of breeze allowed him to creep away from the pack, despite the persistent efforts of Steve Dennison, Chris Brown and Richard Pye in pursuit.

After lunch, the breeze showed little sign of increasing and another general recall preceded the second race, with a number of victims of the black flag which had been brought into use. With Dennison thus eliminated, it was for Pye, Andy Davis and Cliff Crawshaw to chase Hunt home for his second win.

The third and final race was initially led at the first mark by Jon Clarke of Rugby and Daventry SC, only to find he had been OCS at the start, leaving Roger Smith of Marconi SC to enjoy his moment of glory until he was swallowed on the downwind leg by a whole pack of boats.

Once again, Jim Hunt worked his way into the lead after a conservative start, getting back among the leading bunch by the first mark and having nosed in front, was able to cover Steve Dennison, Colin Newton and Andy Davis, who were having their own battle for the follow-on positions as the fleet slowly crept to the finish line. Jim had therefore managed to win all three races in a seven-year old wooden Gosling he had borrowed for the event.

Thanks to Oxford SC for holding a well organised regatta in what were very difficult conditions for the race officer.

Thanks also go to Edge Sails, who sponsored the event, with the prize being a new mainsail to the competitor completing all races yet finishing in the lowest position overall and being present at the prize-giving. This prize went to Gary Livingstone in 3164 from Northampton SC.

Overall leading Results, 73 entries:
1st 4214 Jim Hunt South Staffs SC 1 1 1 2pts
2nd 4327 Stephen Denison Hollingworth Lake SC 2 74 BFD 2 4
3rd 4357 Richard Pye Draycote Water SC 4 2 5 6
4th 4665 Andy Davis Chase SC 9 3 4 7
5th 4336 Colin Newton Staunton Harold SC 11 5 3 8
6th 4528 Steve Ede Adrleigh 5 34 7 12
7th 4551 Stuart Hydon Shustoke SC 6 17 6 12
8th 4672 Chris Brown RYA 3 74 BFD 13 16
9th 4654 C Crawshaw Littleton SC 12 4 32 16
10th 4673 Simon Jones Teign Corinthian SC 21 6 10 16
11th 4355 Bob Taylor Corus (Margam) SC 10 7 12 17
12th 4571 Mark Maskell Fishers Green SC 25 9 9 18
13th 4662 Chris Gillard Sheffield Viking / Hallamshire 8 74 BFD 14 22
14th 4578 Neil Wilkinson Shustoke SC 27 8 15 23
15th 4553 Oliver Dumbleton Nantwich & Border Counties 7 18 17 24
16th 4548 Tony Hanan Colemere SC 18 13 11 24
17th 4300 Russell Jones Broadwater SC 15 12 27 27
18th 4342 Tom Lonsdale West Oxfordshire SC 33 22 8 30
19th 4589 Ian Ayres Kingsmead SC 20 14 18 32
20th 4660 Keith Smith King George SC 16 16 16 32

Event website: http://www.oxfordsailingclub.com

Solo Assoc website: http://www.solosailing.org