Solo class Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island Sailing Club

Solo class Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island © Simon Benson

The Tyler trophy open Solo event at Hayling Island Sailing club has a rich heritage, is always hotly contested and boasts a winners list of a who's who in dinghy sailing.

Ten home club members and sixteen visitors assembled for the briefing by Race Officer Charlotte Bradshaw. Forecast for Saturday was north west force 3 to 4, with a big question mark over prospects of any wind on Sunday.

The fleet set off for the course area in Hayling Bay noting the shifts in strength and direction, which gave an indication of the challenging conditions for the afternoon.

Race 1 and the fleet were well behaved and start got away cleanly with windward mark at 335 degrees. The leading boats changed positions during the course of the race with Nigel Thomas gaining a well deserved win from Richard Lovering and Pete Mitchell.

Race 2 windward mark at 320 degrees and a clean start, this time Pete Mitchell gained a small advantage and managed to see off the challengers from Richard and Pete's father, Dave Mitchell. Nick Bonner's valiant attempt to catch Pete ended with a capsize at the final leeward mark. The race was noteworthy for a 40 degree windshift accompanied by a squall on the second beat and wind between 5 and 20 Knots!

Race 3 windward mark at 0 degrees and again Pete showed he was able to judge the shifts better than anyone else. Pushed hard, however stretched out for a win from Oliver Davenport and Richard.

Solo class Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island - photo © Simon Benson

The fleet returned and sampled sponsor Chichester Gin which made for a relaxed evening. Overnight it was Pete Mitchell leading.

Sunday dawned bright and with clouds forming over the Downs there was optimism the sea breeze would fill in (and it did!). The fleet were held ashore with one hour postponement and rewarded with three races with champagne conditions, a south easterly that steady at 12 to 14 knots throughout racing.

Richard Lovering made it his day with three wins, pushed hard all the way by one of the young stars of the class, Alex Butler (three second places) with Oliver Davenport recording a seventh and two thirds. Unfortunately Pete Mitchell, recording a fourth in race 4 was unable to do the last two races and dropped down the table.

Richard Lovering was the worthy winner of the Tyler trophy for 2019, with Alex Butler second and Oliver Davenport third. Everyone gave a glowing assessment of the race management with races being turned around in 10 minutes. HISC looks forward to welcoming Solo sailors for another great event in 2020.

(L to R) Alex Butler, Richard Lovering, Oliver Davenport, winners at the Solo class Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island - photo © Doug Latta

Overall Results:

Solo class Tyler Trophy at Hayling Island - photo © Simon Benson