Selden 53rd Solo National Championship & Nation's Cup - Day 4
by Will Loy 6 Aug 2015 20:29 AEST
1-7 August 2015
The fleet start race 7 on day 4 of the Selden Solo Nationals at North Berwick © Will Loy
Andy Davis finishes second overall at the Selden Solo Nationals at North Berwick ©Will Loy
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Race 7
After enduring two days of not being able to race, the fleet were finally released out onto the playground. The wind was from the south at 195, well south-ish and was expected to reach 20mph at its peak. This proved accurate depending where you were on the course.
The scheduled race 7 was away after one general recall, compliments of Mr. Hopwood who dragged the fleet over about 40 seconds too early. The sight of 70 National Solos' splitting tacks in the building breeze, comforted the PRO. The beat was true. At the top it was Andy Davis, coming in from the left who rounded first with David Sword and Charlie Cumbley, sporting the 'Event Leader' vest, sponsored by Rooster, in pursuit. By the bottom of the triangle Cumbley had broken through into second and he and Davis proceeded to extend away from third placed Mike Sims to the finish. Pete Mitchell and Andy Tunnicliffe completed the top five.
Race 8
The conditions were conducive to a prompt turnaround and the fleet were away with only three called over early. They continued the good fight once they had dipped the line. After a beat of 0.6 of a mile it was reigning National Champion Cumbley who led the fleet with Robbie Wilson second and Andy Davis once again in the "Hunt' in third. The fleet were well disciplined as they filed off down the substantial reach, the influence of the jury boat having the same effect as a speed camera on the A3. Davis broke through Wilson and set off in hot pursuit of Cumbley. It was halfway up the third beat that he made his move, holding out to the right slightly longer and finding a shift and some extra puff to get him to the front. Cumbley was unable to counter down the final two legs so this was how it stayed with Wilson third and Mike Sims fourth. Andrew Wilde was showing some good form and collected fifth.
Rescheduled Race 2
The third race of the day was started after a general recall under the black flag. There were no casualties, which was a surprise to myself, and some of the lucky fellow's in Solos. The pressure across the course had dropped but this did not seem to bother Davis who once again rounded first with Wilde, Wilson, Nick Bonner and Anthony Osman all in the mix. The breeze was proving as choosy as a hormonal bride picking a dress as it flip-flopped from one side of the course to the other. With the race shortened to a triangle –sausage and the wind finally dying, it was Olly Wells who collected the spoils. Ewan Birkin Walls, Robbie Wilson, Andrew Wilde and Nick Bonner completed the top five. Davis was in sixth and Cumbley had sorted his discard.
So, after four races and sailwave showing one discard available, it is Charlie Cumbley who leads the Selden Solo National Championship and Nation's Cup by just two points from Andy Davis. Mike Sims sits ready to pounce in third with Andy Tunnicliffe fourth and Andrew Wilde fifth.
Windguru is predicting 13-21mph from a more dependable westerly direction and with three races scheduled and a 1pm start time (11am on Friday), the championship is hotting up.