Solo class Southern Area Series at Spinnaker Sailing Club

Solo class Southern Area Series at Spinnaker © Nicola Pepe

Spinnaker Sailing Club hosted the first open meeting of this year's Solo Southern Area Series this Saturday, 12 Apr. Seventeen sailors arrived to blue skies and a forecast F2/3 Easterly veering SE.

Unfortunately for the PRO, the wind had other ideas - going from F3 to F1 and flicking from East to South unpredictably - and on one occasion to SW. The mark-laying boats were busy throughout the day trying to keep beats on the course.

Local knowledge seemed to help; Ian Matthews laid down an early marker rounding the windward buoy alongside new Club member, Jimmy Ruddiman, in a borrowed Solo. After a few legs tussling, Ian moved clear with Keith McQuillin getting past to second and Mike Farmer in third. First visitor was Nigel Bird in fourth.

In the second race, Ian was more dominant having blue water to ex-Spinnaker member, Duncan Peace - who was then comfortably ahead of Keith.

After lunch, the wind seemed to have settled on SSE. After starting Race 3, it promptly returned to Easterly. A bunch of boats arrived closely at the first buoy, but swiftly, Ian and Keith broke away and battled to the finish - Keith just missed getting mark room on the final mark to allow Ian to round first for the short fetch to the finish. Spinnaker Rear Commodore, Robert Marshall, finished third ahead of Mike.

While first and second overall were secured, Duncan and Mike were very close for the final podium place. The wind showed up for the final race - but veered heavily for the first leg. Early to front was another ex-Spinnaker sailor, Tim Wade, who steadily gained a lead on the chasing pack which saw Jim edged out of second place by Duncan. Unbeknown, Mike had been OCS, but Duncan's last race place was enough to secure the third place overall anyway.

Thanks to TGKA Brands Ltd, UK distributor of Magic Marine for prize sponsorship.

With some of our old club sailors looking to return to Spinnaker and with Jim planning on a permanent move to the class, the club's solo fleet is looking healthy.

Solo class Southern Area Series at Spinnaker - photo © Nicola Pepe

Overall Results: