Solo Open at Shustoke Sailing Club

Shustoke Solo Open © Paul Collins

The last week has seen a build up filled with excitement, anticipation and much expectation for Sunday 14th July. Finally the day of the premier sporting event in 2024 had arrived. Would the Shustoke SC Solo Open Meeting 2024, sponsored by Allen and CB Coverstore live up to the hype!?

The forecast was for light north westerly breeze which can often be a tricky direction at Shustoke. As sailors arrived, they were greeted by more breeze than expected but unfortunately this wouldn't stay. After a briefing from Race Officer Jim Hopton, the fleet took to the water for an 11am kick off. A clean start for the whole fleet saw Martin Honnor (Ogston SC) win the pin and then tack on to port clearing the fleet and rounding the windward mark first. Never really threatened at the front, Martin consolidated his lead as places were changing behind him. Steve Dennison chased but couldn't catch Martin, followed by local sailor and defending champion Stuart Hydon. After 45 minutes and nearing the end of 2 laps, the shortened course signal was given. Some last leg changes further back in the fleet saw local sailors Cole Briscoe pull through to 4th and Jamie Cuxson in 5th.

Shustoke Solo Open - photo © Paul Collins

Race 2 was held back to back in what felt like a dying breeze. This time there was a general recall on start one with a large proportion of the fleet over at the pin end with about 5 seconds to go. The second time around and the fleet were away, again with Martin, Steve and Stuart quick out of the blocks. The first beat was very tricky with huge holes of no wind and this created big gaps between the front and back of the fleet very early. In lap two Martin and Steve became locked in a tacking duel on the second beat which allowed Stuart to take advantage of a lift to sail straight past them and into the lead. Stuart held this to the end of the race, taking the bullet. On the final downwind leg, Martin got caught in one of the earlier mentioned holes and Stuart and Steve sailed away. Unfortunately for Martin as the wind filled in from behind, he got caught by the chasing pack and overtaken. Cole Briscoe got through to third, whilst Paul Burgoine sailing the NSCA Demo Boat, also Shustoke, capitalized on the situation to take 4th.

Paul Burgoine in the Demo Boat during the Shustoke Solo Open - photo © Paul Collins

The fleet then went ashore for lunch, provided by the club members on galley duty and watched as the breeze that had died before lunch, inevitably came up whilst no one was sailing!

With the wind now seeming to cover the reservoir and all still to play for, the race officer got the fleet launched for a 2pm final race, with a new course to take advantage of a variation in wind direction. Away first time, Paul Burgoine had the best start and played the shifts superbly to round the windward mark first, followed by Cole Briscoe. These two put a good a distance between themselves and the chasing boats of Jamie Cuxson, Martin Honnor and Steve Dennison. Paul managed to hold the lead for most of the race until Cole was able to pass him on lap two. With Cole in pole, the final results hinged on the boats behind him. The final beat to the line saw a close tacking battle between Paul and Martin with Paul managing to stay ahead by a matter of a boat length or two at the finish.

So the racing was done and the keen mathematicians will have clocked that the top four boats were all tied on 4 points, highlighting how close the racing had been all day. This meant that the winner this year is Cole Briscoe who despite being at the very front of the Shustoke fleet for some time had not previously won this event and the Shustoke Solo Trophy was coming home! Congratulations Cole!

Cole Briscoe during the Shustoke Solo Open - photo © Paul Collins

The prize winners received a variety of beer, chocolates and some kit from our sponsors, Allen.

Prize winners at the Shustoke Solo Open - photo © Ria Burgoine

At the prize-giving Cole thanked the Race Officer and his duty team, the galley team and our visitors. Thanks also to our sponsors Allen and CB Coverstore.

Overall Results:

1st Home Sailor (not in top 3) Paul Burgoine
1st Over 70 years old Mike Cossey