Solo Eastern Championship at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

Vince Horey during the Solo Eastern Championship at Brightlingsea © Cheryl Jessop

Bright sunny skies and a light easterly wind greeted the Solo sailors at Brightlingsea for the Eastern Championship.

Race 1 Started First Time with Chris Rust Sailing off to Bradwell Power Station and coming into the windward mark on port smelling of roses. Steve Ede rounded second with Oliver Davenport in 3rd. Davenport passed Ede on the second beat and the slipped through Rust on the Run to win from Ede and Rust.

Race 2 started after numerous recalls and this time Davenport lead at the windward mark from Paul Church and Vincent Horey. Davenport extended to win a shortened race due to the Merlins finishing just after the Solos started. Horey pulled through Church on the reaches followed by Ede and they finished in this order behind Davenport.

Race 3 and the sea breeze had now kicked in. Davenport and Fergus Barnham used their leverage to lead at the first mark. Davenport kept a loose cover on him for most of the race to complete the perfect score for the day. Ede and Horey were having their own private race behind and finished in that order.

Overnight Davenport had a clear lead with Ede, Barnham and Horey all within a point of each other behind.

Sunday Dawned with a much stronger breeze from the SW and the Brightlingsea chop was already building.

Race 4 and again Davenport was first round the windward mark first and he just kept a loose cover on the boats behind. Peter Kyne, Horey and Barnham exchanged places all the way round behind but at the finish Barnham got into second followed by Kyne and Horey.

Race 5 the wind had gone slightly left and Horey managed to take advantage of this, and port tacked the fleet and headed off to the right-hand side of the course out of the tide. Davenport also spotted the shift and tacked off to this side. Coming into the windward mark Davenport used the tide to tack under Horey and squeeze round the mark to lead. Barnham and Rust followed behind. Davenport went on to win the Race from Barnham and Horey.

Race 6 the breeze was now properly in now. The mile beat was taking its toll on the legs of the sailors and few headed back to shore. It was however well worth the hike for the sleigh ride downwind. Barnham powered up the first beat to lead at the windward mark, followed by Horey and Kyne. Horey slipped into the lead on the downwind legs and went on to win the race. Kyne got the better of Barnham on the last beat to finish in that order.

All in all an enjoyable, tough weekend was had by all and Brightlingsea did an excellent job as always.

Overall Results: