National Solo 60th Anniversary UK Championship - Preview
by Will Loy 29 Jan 2016 02:44 PST
17-22 July 2016
Action from the 2015 Solo Nationals in North Berwick © Will Loy
Sponsored by Super Spars, hosted by Pwllheli Sailing Club at the Welsh National Sailing Academy, Plas Heli
We are proud to announce that Super Spars are our title Sponsor of the National Championship 2016. Super Spars will be supplying one lucky competitor with a brand new mast and boom, fully rigged and each competitor will get the Super Spars Event T-shirt.
"Super Spars have pioneered in producing high performance sailing rigs through the use of technology and experience. So if you're wondering how effective you can be, let Super Spars help you reach levels of performance you never thought possible!"
With Additional Race Day sponsorship from:
The N.S.C.A. is sponsored by
Noble Marine. Their support throughout the season ensures we all stay out on the water for every event.
Our "Race Day" sponsors are some of our suppliers and their continued support of the Class, developing new products to enhance the National Solo are one of the reasons we are still one of the leading UK single handers.
Early Bird Race Day Draws
There will be a daily arly Bird Draw which will take place in the club every evening in conjunction with the race day prize giving. Only those competitors who entered the competition by 1st May 2016 will be eligible to be included in the Race Day Draw for some great prizes including sailing apperal, discount vouchers for combination trailers and a beautifully shaped Milanes Rudder.
Entry Fee & Entry Process
The entry fee is £160 and includes 12 races over 6 days, a social programme that includes the Commodore's reception, Hog Roast, Quiz Night and the highlight of the week, the A.G.M. Other inducements to follow.
Free Entry for Juniors
In a class first we are offering free entry to juniors (under 21) and hope to see a strong competition for the Turnbull Trophy, which has been contested since 1967.
Notable holders of this prestigious trophy include Jim Abbsolom (1976), the Reading S.C. sailor who motivated me to race Solos' when I was just a teenager. Ian Houston won the title in 82-84 in "Custard Tart" a beautiful yellow Lovett built Solo and his performances became a benchmark for my efforts. Ian Mitchell who is a world championship winning 505 crew won the title three times in a row from 1986. His first win was in Solo 200, a remarkable performance. Dan Vincent won in 1991 and Harvey Hillary, Andy Davis and Paul Childs have also claimed the silver cigarette tin in their youth.
Half Price Entry to non UK Entries
In the 60th year we want to make our National Championship truly memorable so we have slashed the entry to our overseas friends to just £80. With a strong Dutch fleet we hope this inducement will get you booking your ferry asap. Historically the Dutch are a talented bunch and the current crop live up to my hipe. It will be a long journey from the reclaimed waters of Uitdam and Medimblik but the financial inducement and beautiful waters of North Wales will hopefully provide the UK fleet with some stiff competition.
The Venue
The Welsh National Sailing Academy and Event Centre has been funded by the European Regional Development Fund through the Welsh Government and Gwynedd Council and comprises:
- The Academy building
- A large secure compound or space for an outdoor event
- Easy access to the safe beach launching area
- The events, training and visitor pontoons
- The old Sailing Club building
- Plenty of car/motorhome parking area
- The Outdoor Group equipment hub
The facility is well equipped with marquees and all the kit required to run major international sailing championships which include our fleet of safety and mark laying RIBs, committee boats and all of the marks sufficient for multiple race courses
There have been a number of Championships held in Pwllheli over the last few years including the Fireballs and Optimists. The
Optimist venue guide provides competitors with much information. Thanks to Pwllheli Sailing Club and the Optimist Association for providing this.
60 Years
The National Solo Class has an enviable history and remains one of the UK's most popular single handers. To think that this Jack Holt design, crafted on the banks of Putney in 1956 now has nearly 5700 builds under it's belt, 900 N.S.C.A members, a thriving Dutch fleet and is still sailed at clubs up and down the country every weekend. The controlled evolution of the class, overseen by 60 years of enthusiastic Solo sailors, builders, sail makers, Class technical officers and the RYA are the reason the National Solo remains resolutely and stubbornly one of the most successful of Jack Holt's creations. In an era when designers are obsessed with speed the National Solo provides close tactical one design racing where the emphasis is very much on helm versus helm. You can sail comfortably and race hard.
On Water Judging
The N.S.C.A continue to provide on the water judging at our major events and will do so at Pwllheli.
Media
Daily video reports and photos of the event will be posted on the www.solosailing.org.uk site and on YachtsandYachting.com. You can check out the YouTube Solo Channel on our site to see previous championship action.
We also have a dedicated webpage on our site, which has been completely re-vamped for 2016. The link is www.solosailing.org.uk/events/2016/the-national-solo-60th-anniversary-uk-championship-sponsored-by-superspar
Lastly, to celebrate the National Solo 60th anniversary every 2016 member will be entered into a free draw to win National Solo 6000. The draw will take place at the Inland Championship in September so, with membership set at just £22 there has really never been a better time to join!
The boat will be on the N.S.C.A. stand at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show so come along and take a look at what you could win.