Noble Marine Winter Championship Preview
by Will Loy 20 Feb 2019 03:03 PST
23 February 2019
Solos at pace © Will Loy
The National Solo season begins this Saturday at Chew Valley Lake S.C. and with a very promising forecast, a large and talented fleet is anticipated.
The lake is a large man made reservoir, nestling in the foothills of the Mendips, 10 miles south of Bristol. Opened in 1956 Chew is a relatively shallow reservoir with an average depth of only 14ft at top level and a maximum depth of just 37ft.
There is a strong home fleet and with local knowledge, I anticipate a home boat in the top ten. Among those taking part are my three top picks for the title with Charlie Cumbley, reigning National and Nation's Cup champion the favourite by a whisker. Andy Davis looks hungry this year and with a 10 kg advantage, will be fit as a butchers dog. Chris brown has sustained his weight loss following a gall stone op and is as keen as a teenager with a new phone, expect him to feature. If team Grafham turn up expect Ian Walters and Ewan Birkin Walls to mount an attack while the south is very well supported by the likes of Guy Mayger and Class President Doug Latta. Rumour has it that Tom Gillard will also be in attendance and if so will give all the competitors something to think about.
Andy Davis (winner 2007)
"I am looking forward to getting back in the Solo for the 2019 season, venues for the major Championships look great which should equal big turnabouts.
Over the winter we've been testing new equipment and we are looking forward to launching it very soon.
I've only sailed at Chew Valley about 4 times, I do remember there's a wind bend if the wind is blowing on shore at the club.
Other than that it's just down to tacking on the shifts. As it's a big lake there's plenty of leverage to be had if you get out to a corner, so it will be eyes peeled and head out of the boat looking for pressure.
As for my winter preparation I have been putting in the miles on the bike and I've managed to reduce my weight down to 80kgs, mainly for the Merlin Rocket campaign. The down side is that I will now have to hike harder for the Solo!!
Sailing wise, I've sailed the solo a couple of times testing new kit but I have sailed the Merlin a bit more, I have a new crew, so more hours have been spent on the water getting used to each other.
As for my Solo I am using a Winder Mk2, built a year ago and fitted out with Harken. Bloodaxe foils and I will have a new mast for this year. Super Spar have worked with us and hopefully we will have something new to offer sailors, we also have a new Maxx mainsail in development so watch this space".
Chris Brown
As usual I am planning to do all the big events in 2019 and most looking forward to Carnac in July. Sailing in the sun and hopefully not sitting in hospital for a week like I did in Lake Garda last year.
I have a new Solo, Winder Mk2 and only sailed it 3 times, it's not up to speed yet. A few more rig setting tests to do..a coat of CB polish and hopefully it will be ready for the busy season ahead.
Chew Valley's topography provides a number of challenges, I find there are lots of strange wind bends. It really is a matter of looking around and seeing what the wind is doing and observing the other boats, seeing where wind bends are and of course getting a clean start.
I have organised a judge at most big events this year as this is what the fleet wanted. Fair racing in such a big fleet is one of the many reasons the class is so successful. Steve Watson, the class 'on water' jury will be officiating at this championship
Looking ahead, the Committee have been working in on some new ideas, pre entry being one. This allows us to work out what money we have to organise extras at the events and it also allows the club's to get helpers ready with food ect so please pre enter via the class web collect system.
The National Championship registration is open and the Nation's Cup Carnac will soon go live.
Charlie Cumbley (winner 2008,11,14, 16,17,1)
Looking forward to Chew Valley and the Noble Marine Winter Championship but hoping for breeze as I'm 90-91kg at the moment.
I haven't sailed there much and not since the last Springs/Winters there which was a few years ago now. Already booked for Carnac for the Magic Marine Nation's Cup and 60/40 for the Nationals at WPNSA but can't make Medemblik for the Spring Cup in the Solo or the OK. The OK was sold last year as all their events clashed so couldn't do anything interesting but hopefully be back in one for 2020.
Errol Edwards will be there to capture all the action and with temperatures matching Spain and Windguru predicting 12-19mph, the scene is set for an epic curtain raiser.
Errol Edwards
"Unfortunately Ellie Cumpsty will not be sailing due to her university commitments and I'm not sure about Daisy Collinridge. Local hotshots will include Chris Goldhawk and Tim Johnston. Nick Fisher will be sailing my boat, it was well with offering it to him as he has renewed his NSCA membership as a result ! Water levels have risen but the lake is not 100% full so there is a slight risk of hitting the shallows but I'm confident the RO will keep the race course well away from any shallows. The wind is due to be 10-12 mph from the South East which is a stable direction for Chew."
Don't forget you have to be a member of the NSCA to compete in these major events, part of the North Sails Super Series and you can join online via the Solo site.