Please select your home edition
Edition
Mackay Boats 728x90 TOP

Solo Open at Broadwater Sailing Club

by Alex Beard 29 Mar 2022 05:51 PDT 5 March 2022
Broadwater Solo Open © John Greaves

With Covid uncertainties hopefully behind us, the 2022 Eastern, Thames Valley and Selden Southern Series kicked off with the first Open of the year on Saturday 5th March at Broadwater SC.

Back in its traditional slot, the first weekend after the RYA Dinghy Show, fingers were crossed that there would be more wind at this time of year than greeted sailors who attended the rescheduled 2021 Open last October.

Indeed sailors would not be disappointed. As participants gathered, it was clear that the wind forecast had been a little understated, but at least it was dry. The format was for two back-to-back races in the morning with another two back-to-back after lunch. With a strong wind from the north gusting 20-25 knots, a circular course around the lake was set, starting at the southern end. The first race proved eventful with several capsizes before and throughout, keeping the rescue boat busy and frequently changing the pecking order - as least everyone got a chance to admire Mike Dray's bright green paintwork. Four of the 13 bowed out but Tim Lewis came home first followed by Andy Cooney, who was guesting in a club Solo for the day.

After a short break, the same course was used for the second race, however three had already called it a day. Sailors continued to take dips in the lake, but all who started completed the race - again won by Tim with Littleton's Steve Jones coming in second. And so a break for lunch followed - time to refuel, warm up and take stock of conditions and tactics.

The afternoon brought little respite in the conditions and white horses continued to flicker across the lake. Seven boats headed back out to a slightly modified course and five finished. Littleton's Mike Dray found the form and came in first with Steve making it a Littleton 1-2. Going into the final race, Tim had a 2pt lead but despite a back-to-back win for Mike, Tim took second place which was enough to secure first place overall on the day ahead of Steve in second and Mike in third.

Well done to Tim who joins the other 45 or so names immortalised on the legendary BSC 'Chess' Trophy.

Related Articles

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Loch Venachar
A seriously breezy event amongst the beautiful Trossachs hills In the lead-up to this event in the HD Sails Scottish travellers series I was worried that sailing on an inland loch amongst the beautiful Trossachs hills in mid-summer meant that we would struggle with light and shifty winds from every direction. Posted on 1 Jul
Solos at Chipstead
20+ knots blowing down the lake for the Southern Series and Thames Series event Four races took place over the day with clear blue skies, in, gusty, shifty wind conditions 20+ knots blowing down the lake. Posted on 30 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 4
The final day of racing at Circolo Vela Bellano So, to the final day of racing and there would be three races planned before a prize-giving reception which would be held at the Palasole Pavilion later this evening. Posted on 25 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 3
Social evening proves universally popular with every seat taken Before I get into the action from day 3, first a quick recap on the previous evening's Italian themed Solo social which took place in the shaded area of the nearby Palasole Pavilion. This must have been a popular choice as every seat was taken. Posted on 25 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 2
Pin end starts and taking the left the order of the day The night had been sultry, and not in a Monica Bellucci kind of way, though I would have happily discarded my pyjamas in her presence. The skies had become overcast as the sun fell between the mountains on the western horizon. Posted on 24 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 1
Sunshine in Italy after a storm hits on the day before I awoke to the unfamiliar roar of an engine turbine as it throttled up, the local ferry utilising a hydrofoil system that, from the estimated weight of the beast, required as much thrust as the flux capacitor could give her to hit 88 miles an hour. Posted on 23 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 0
Circolo Vela Bellano continues to welcome Solos through its gates Circolo Vela Bellano, nestled on the banks of the eastern side of Lake Como continues to welcome Solos through its gates in readiness for what is effectively the European Championship. Posted on 21 Jun
Solo class Midlands Area event at Shustoke
Would bringing the event forward a month change their wind fortunes? It had been 11 months since the last Solo class open meeting at Shustoke SC which saw very light and at times non existent wind. Would bringing the event forward a month change our wind fortunes? Posted on 17 Jun
Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Garda preview
With 63 entries and counting, it promises to be THE biggest Championship of 2025 There is only one Solo event in Italy this year and given that every other class has decided to go to Lake Garda, the venue of Lake Como ensured we got a big fleet and with 63 entries and counting, it promises to be THE biggest Solo Championship of 2025. Posted on 14 Jun
Scottish Solo Championships at East Lothian
Charlie Brecknell wins after steadily improving over the last few seasons The HD sails Scottish Solo championship was held as part of the North Berwick regatta on June 7/8. It was an opportunity to sail on the same waters where the Solo National Championships will be held in early August. Posted on 13 Jun
C-Tech 2021 America's Cup 728x90 BOTTOMSelden 2020 - FOOTERLloyd Stevenson - AC ETNZ 1456x180px BOTTOM