Solo NSCA Selden Southern Area Series at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Sunday 15th May saw 16 Solos turn out for the Frensham Pond SC Solo Open Meeting, part of the NSCA Selden Southern Area Series. Four races were planned in what appeared to be pleasant conditions with a Force 2 Easterly breeze, but, before the first start, the rain began to fall, and the wind veered to the SW and dropped away to a gentle whisper.

Race 1 one saw Ian Mathews of Spinnaker SC lead Tim Wade (Lynington Town SC) and Paul Trevan from Frensham around the first mark and they maintained their lead until a slight breeze filled in on the run and brought the rest of the fleet up to them. Alex Butler from Hayling Island SC slid through into third place, followed by Brian Taylor from the home club. At the gun, Butler just managed to pip Wade with Mathews third.

With the rain still pouring down, Race Officer Graham Howlett wisely decided to postpone the second race until after lunch, hoping for an improvement in both weather and wind. To no avail however, for although the wind settled back into the easterly quarter, the rain did not let up.

Race 2 saw an over-eager fleet recalled, and after the restart, Taylor led down the first run and worked out a small gap to the fleet. Butler and Mathews were too quick for him however, and by the end of the race, both had overtaken him, Butler winning again, followed by Mathews and Taylor.

By the start of Race 3, the rain had stopped and the wind had increased to the top end of Force 2. John Reed from Bough Beech SC led almost all the way, only to capsize just before the last mark. John Brooker from Frensham briefly took the lead, but was overtaken by Butler who recorded his third bullet. Brooker was second and Mathews third.

So Butler won with an impressive clean sweep, demonstrating that winning on the Pond isn't restricted to pond sailors. Mathews recorded two seconds for second overall, and Wade a second and a fourth for third.

Overall Results: