Two weeks to go until the Rooster Solo National Championship 2021

Andy Davis won here in 2012 © Will Loy

With just over two weeks to go, the tension is building nicely amongst the Solo competitors from the UK while the teams at NSCA headquarters and Mount's Bay Sailing Club finalise the huge behind the scenes logistics of running a Championship, post Covid.

While the initial number of entries (142) back in March reflected the lockdown status of the World, other factors have seen the number fall to 96 though the expectation is we will reach the 100 allocated places.

With travel abroad all but cancelled, every media outlet rightly directed all tourism to the beauty of Devon and Cornwall. I myself was ahead of the curve, relocating to Brixham on the first day of lockdown 1. Unfortunately, those on the reserve list for the Nationals were faced with the big decision of booking and potentially paying for accommodation that they may not require so the reserve list dwindled as the months went by. Special mention to our friends from the Netherlands, Portugal and France who would have loved to compete for the title but for travel complications.

That said, 100 Solos on the start line is a wonderful site and if we have gate starts, the footage from the guard boat should be entertaining.

Mounts Bay are confident that as restrictions ease, a full social programme will go ahead and the club facilities open which is certainly a relief for many of the fleet's more mature sailors, the toilets being a priority.

Mounts Bay is as pretty as a picture, St Michael's Mount is a stunning backdrop to the racing arena and the sandy beach provides pleasant launching and a soft landing for the knackered sailors when they collapse post race.

The NSCA has pulled out all the stops to make this a truly memorable regatta and with top sponsors on board, Rooster Sailing, KLG Estates, HD Sails, Superspars, P&B, Powerworks, Morgan Sails, Fernhurst Books, Noble Marine, Harken and Winder Boats.

While every competitor is a hero in my book, getting into a media rib is akin to an SAS challenge for me, racing for 6 days with a possible 12 races will test even the fittest sailor.

I should though spend some keyboard time highlighting those who may rise to the top of the pyramid of talent that is the Solo fleet. It is all about winning in my book but It would be remiss and slightly cold and uninteresting if I did not also mention some other characters that may feature in my daily reports over the week long event/marathon.

So, top of my pile is HD Sails Andy Davis, multiple Solo Champion and pretty handy in pretty much anything else he cares to sail. While 'Taxi' has not spent much time in the Solo lately you could argue that no one has!

Andy has a dearth of natural talent and paired with the sort of body my wife dreams I should have, he will deliver exceptional performance in light/medium/heavy winds and we may have all of those in mid August. Andy also won the title at this venue in 2012 and was second at the 2017 Nationals. HD Sails are also providing HD Sails caps for all competitors and have combined with KLG Estates (Vice President Patrick Burns) to ensure there is beer for the sailors. Thank yo from all the sailors.

Tom Gillard is the man on form - photo © Will Loy

North Sails Tom Gillard is arguably the top helm right now having shown a clean transom to the Solo fleet in the few events we have held this year. He also claimed the Merlin Rocket title at Salcombe so can deal with pretty much anything. Tom finished 4th at Mounts Bay in 2012 but that was early in his Solo career and he is so much taller now.

Tim Law is consistently quick - photo © Will Loy

Salcombe Legend Tim Law is my pick for top 3 which is no surprise really since he regularly finishes in the top ten at the big events and was 7th here in 2012. Tim was fifth at Royal Torbay in 2017, another light wind Championship before finishing third at HISC in 2018 and third at the Nation's Cup on Lake Garda. Tim finished third again at Carnac in 2019, his consistency, born from playing the percentage game could put him on the podium.

Impact Marine's Andy Tunnicliffe finished one place ahead of Tim in 2012 and will be keen to prove my pecking order wrong, if it is a light week do not rule him out of the top prize. Andy finished 2nd at the light wind 2013 Nationals, only losing the title on the very last beat. Andy was fifth in Lake Garda in 2018, one of only three sailors with only top ten results, the other two were Charlie Cumbley who won but is not here and the other.... Tim Law.

Oliver Davenport likes a good breeze - photo © Will Loy

P&B's Oliver Davenport is another shoe in for the top ten, possibly lacking the consistent approach a lifetime of experience at regattas has given Tim but this gunslinger is quite capable of acquiring a fistful of bullets. Oliver also showed good recent form in winning the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy just a few weeks ago. He was fourth in 2018, second at the Nation's Cup in Garda and eighth in 2019 at windy Weymouth so if it blows, look out for the tall muscular P&B sailor at the front. Ian Pinnell from P&B are generously providing P&B merchandise for the prize draws.

Another sailor tall in stature is Felpham Commodore and Solo Mag Editor Guy Mayger and he has shown some devastating straight line speed for the last few years. Fifth at HISC in 2018, Guy will be happy if it is light or windy at the Cornish venue. Slightly start line punchy, gate starts could play into his hands if can avoid the pathfinder.

Alex Butler and Hyde Sails Richard Lovering are both seasoned campaigners and the HISC stable is full of talent. I expect both these guys to bring their A game, Lovering ahead if dogs are being blown off their leads and Butler ahead if the BBQ smoke is going straight up.

CB Coverstore jockey Chris Brown is always:

1. On the premises when it comes to the big events and,
2. Always looking to make a deal or two off the water.

I always enjoy the on-water competition between Martin Honnor and Chris Brown and I foresee yet more close one on one 'racing' this regatta. Martin finished sixth in Carnac in 2019 and the sometime Enterprise sailor is one to watch if he starts with good momentum.

P&B's Tom Lonsdale is one of those sailors that does his talking on the water and so has possibly dropped under my social media radar for worthy recognition. Do not let his quiet demeanour fool you though, if there is a sniff of a win then he will maximise his talents. If though you want a wild night out I would avoid team P&B, they will be on a zero alcohol protocol.

Winder Boats Steve Denison has always seemed to be there or about and will relish any sniff of a light wind event. Possibly more focused than ever and maybe heavier too, Steve is a capable sailor and one hopes that Dave Winder has given him the week off prior to the Championship to allow any residual epoxy fumes to dissipate. Incidentally, Dave is very generously donating a brand new Winder rudder and stock to one lucky winner in the prize draws.

Special mention also to Noble Marine's Phil Kilburn who has supported the Solo class for more years than I have been writing reports, so quite a long time. Noble Marine continue to ensure we can keep racing hard with the knowledge that if we break it, they will cover the repairs and so if you see Phil on the water or in the bar please say thanks.

Of the sailors that I have no recollection of as I have probably yet to meet them;

I hear Morgan Sail's Jamie Morgan is pretty rapid so will seek him out through my zoom lens.

Likewise Paul Davis who sails out of Lymington Town, a hotbed for Solo talent I am told....by those who sail at Lymington Town.

Salcombe are represented by fourteen competitors, a very secretive clan of sailors who regularly put themselves through the torture that is Salcombe, and that is just the parking situation.

Paul Ellis seems to know the way around the estuary and is usually spat out of the bag in first place so I would suggest he will be one to watch. That said, I will list other Salcombe notables below and their wishlists:

• Michael Hicks - Whatever you like... beer/wine
• David Greening - Moderate please... wine/proscecco
• Chris 'Chubby' Cleaves - Bloody windy please... and beer
• Graham Cranford Smith - No gybes please... something stronger perhaps
• Roger Lumby - nothing too hairy... wine/beer/nibbles
• Jonathan Reynolds sailing out of Salvo be Yacht Club... new glasses
• Simon 'Yachty' Yates - crazy windy/crazy light, doesn't drink or get old
• Iain McGregor - Windy please and can we have a lead boat. Beer
• Adrian Griffin - Perfect champagne conditions and the hope that the latest Salcombe YC event shirts arrive in time. Wine/Proscecco/ lobster if it's available

Chris Cleaves will want it windy - photo © Will Loy

I will now continue this theme with yet more competitors who may/may not threaten the heights of the top ten, will definitely provide depth of personality to make up for their inadequacy on the race track.

Shaun Welsh - Possibly the brightest FRP hull in the Universe and setting the fashion with his fuscia Winder Solo which is only matched by his choice of Thai inspired beanies. Look out for him sipping coconut cocktails on the beach in his sarong,

Nick Fisher - Basically the opposite of Shaun but both equally skilled in their boat handling prowess.

Steve Ede - Championship Organiser and actually very talented sailor with a tilt at the top ten as long as the Championship runs smoothly. Huge appreciation of what he does behind the scenes so buy him a drink but do not give him water. Handy when the going gets twitchy so med conditions could suit.

Andy Hyland - Seems to be in a purple patch racing the Winder with a notable win at Dittisham. May rely on info from the PRO to get into the win zone.

Ian Hopwood - Loves a good breeze and gets crazy if there are dolphins around. If he leads the fleet keep an eye out for porpoise and do not follow him.

Outgoing President Doug Latta - In still the newest Solo in the fleet, 6000. Doug will be racing with the free abandon of a virgin at a Stringfellow party so expect at least one race win.

Incoming President Patrick Burns - The weight of his Presidency will be an interesting gauge as the week progresses. I would suggest you all give Patrick room at every mark out of respect for his sacrifice. Amen

Mark Lee - The only sailor I know who looks cool racing in wrap around sun goggles. The orange tint would unbalance some but Mark is always beaming for the camera. Clearly, even when it is cloudy he thinks it's sunny. Possible top ten as he is a patient racer and it could be fickle conditions with a mediterranean heatwave predicted for mid August.

Nigel Davies - Always a dark horse, stablemate to Chris Brown and the Grafham Water posse have a depth of talent, shame Ian Walters could not join them. Nigel is good for at least two top three finishes in the twelve race series.

Big Dave Lucas - Another of the Grafham bunch, not sure what they are drinking but it works. Add to that I believe his son is racing too so team tactics may win out. Windy please.

Vince Horey - The North London sailor is still pretty handy despite his advancing years and as with any Spurs fan, has the blind belief that a trophy is just a small step away. Always good fun to watch him on the start line and a gate start should be hilarious...we hope of course that no one is injured. Light or windy just keep that guard boat away from him. Ideally he will be pathfinder all week.

Kev Gibb - Tough as a Glasgow kiss but weak as a baby at the bar, Kev has talent and when he get's his Solo going he is a fearsome sight. Still yet to paint his face blue but not implausible.

Andy Fox - Still waiting for the right conditions but any impending hurricane will give him hope. Like Kev Gibb, do not get in his way when he is sending it, yet to see a Solo sink though.

Isaac Marsh - I still think he is a P&B jockey and was pretty handy the last time I saw him port tack the fleet at Royal Torbay in 2017. Not sure if he has finished yet.

Vintage Solo 4317 with Charlie Nunn at the helm - photo © Will Loy

Charlie Nunn - Sailing a vintage Gosling 4317 and I witnessed him race at Dittisham S.C. a few weeks ago. A very handy sailor who will surprise many despite the age of the Solo.

Sal Erskine Furniss/Kim Furniss - Two more vintage entrants, 4006/4005 the hulls not the sailors, and they will add some much needed colour to the fleet while ensuring the history of the older wooden Solos is never forgotten. Fair play and well done to you both.

Salcombe lead the club standings with 14 from Lymington Town with 7, Grafham Water have 6 while Torpoint Mosquito and Fowey Gallants have 4 each. Brightlingsea have 3 entries.

Lastly, local sailor Olivier Vidal - Totally unknown force but you know Mounts Bay would want to put up a strong defence, have you seen their castle.

We look forward to battle commencing on August 22.