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Solo class Southern Area Series at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

by Paul Trevan 15 May 05:07 PDT 11 May 2025

On 11th May, Frensham Pond Sailing Club staged their 2025 Solo Open Meeting as part of the Superspars Solo Open Series. A total of 28 boats took part in what was another record for the Solo fleet at Frensham.

The Weather Gods helped with a warm, sunny day and winds of Force 3-5 winds from the East in the morning, gradually dropping later and veering. In normal Frensham style the shifts were enormous but what else can you expect if you're surrounded by trees.

Race 1 saw Bryan Taylor in 6000 and Richard Harding in 6104 from the host club leading the way round the first lap, only for Bryan to fall in at the beginning of the second. Chris Brown in 6135 from Daventry pushed Richard hard initially but was eventually overtaken by Simon Derham (5393) and they finished in this order. The race featured a number of capsizes with gusts of Force 5 or so giving some exciting planning.

Race 2 was sailed back to back. Chris Brown led at the first mark, but the wind tended to veer to the ESE and as before there were big shifts and places could be made or lost by simply going the right way. Bryan Taylor, recovered from his previous dip, came through to second with Papercourt's Fraser Hayden (5693), who must know the pond almost as well as the locals, third.

Lunch was then partaken.

Race 3 and 4 were sailed after lunch and were again back to back. The wind was dropping although there were still a few gusts to be wary of. A good race was had by Simon Lomas-Clarke (5258) and Taylor with the former coming out on top. Keith McQuillin (3812) from Spinnaker SC was third with Chris Brown in fourth. Keith's compatriot Ian Matthews in 6112, who won the pot for the last two years, capsized in this one' which rather ruined his defence of the cup.

At this stage, Chris Brown held an overall lead but the final race turned out to be the decider.

With the wind dropping further, Race 4 saw Simon Derham leading at the first mark, followed by Richard Willetts (4978) and Bryan Taylor. After yet more shifts, Bryan passed Richard who also let Fraser Hayden by. Chris Brown had a disastrous first lap and ended up back in the pack, which left the gate open for Bryan Taylor to take the pot, from Chris Brown, Simon Derham, Simon Lomas-Clarke and Richard Harding.

Many thanks to Magic Marine and CB Coverstore & Trailers Solo specialist for their additions to the prize fund.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st6000Brian TaylorFPSC(RET)2226
2nd6135Chris BrownDraycote314‑118
3rd5393Simon DerhamLittleton SC2(RET)7110
4th5258Simon Lomas ClarkeFPSC‑951511
5th6104Richard HardingFPSC1‑105612
6th5693Fraser HaydenPapercourt SC63‑8312
7th3812Keith McQuillinSpinnaker SC463‑813
8th3/5Arthur MasonLee‑on‑the‑Solent‑1376720
9th5903Nigel BirdRYA7‑99925
10th5742Simon LawFPSC88‑111026
11th4978Richard WillettsBurghfield SC11‑1814429
12th6112Ian MatthewsSpinnaker SC54(RET)DNS38
13th6044Joe McLaughlinTamesis Club1411‑151439
14th6064Chris BoltonNorfolk Broads YC10‑19171542
15th5249Nick PighillsFishers Green SC‑1813161342
16th5745Pete CooperFPSC151612‑1743
17th4650Ian CherrillFPSC121220(DNS)44
18th6083/5700Adrian LawFPSC‑1615131644
19th4323Mark GillettFPSC(DNS)DNS101251
20th3847Michael BarnesRYA(RET)14181951
21st5493Tim DeaconFPSC17‑22191854
22nd4222Richard DeanFPSC‑2217212058
23rd5675Maria Elvira FrancoHayling Island SC202022(DNS)62
24th5575Paul TrevanFPSC19(DNS)DNSDNS77
25th5027John HaineFPSC(RET)21DNSDNS79
26th4819Bruce RichardsonFPSC21(RET)DNSDNS79
27th4658Neil CarruthersFPSC(RET)23DNSDNS81
28th5280Dean KettellFPSC23(RET)DNSDNS81

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