Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Circolo Vela Bellano - Day 2

Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 2 © Circolo Vela Bellano

The night had been sultry, and not in a Monica Bellucci kind of way, though I would have happily discarded my pyjamas in her presence. The skies had become overcast as the sun fell between the mountains on the western horizon and the humidity could have provided a perfect environment for the fermentation of focaccia, no wonder it is so abundant here.

Fortunately, the accommodation's air con of open doors and fans presented some release from the torture my feet were experiencing. Outside, my trusty boots stood obediently, the stench from the trip out here had nearly dissipated and soon they would be re-united with my feet which do not smell at all.

With racing not scheduled to start until 1pm I took the opportunity to prepare breakfast for my room mates, they all seem very friendly when I am writing reports pertinent to their sailing performance so I figured a good meal would at least reward me with free beers later.

Sous chef Paul Davis was sent out to procure a list of ingredients which proved a task too hard so muffins were replaced by ciabatta rolls and a form of edam substituted the extra mature cheddar I had demanded. After blasting the team with expletives and getting my KP to pick up the pans and pots I had thrown we all settled down for toasted ciabatta, a bed of lightly seasoned sautéed spinach providing the super food. Perfectly poached eggs would add some protein and a perfectly smooth cheese sauce topped with locally sourced chorizo provided a nice alternative to the ketchup which I had hidden from the northerners.

The breeze, as gentle as a first kiss filled with promise was enough for the PRO to send us out to the race area which was further towards the opposite side of the lake than on day 1.

We launched into a light 6-8 knots, my press team of young Italian males doing nothing to boost my masculinity, thank goodness Monica was not coming aboard. I dragged myself towards the bow to extract my phone from it's water-tight bag, the four metre rib, six feet too long in my opinion but I made it back to the cockpit with no real drama. Behind me, Marco and Alessandro muttered away in their native tongue, possibly discussing how much I eat in a period of 24 hours.

Race 3

Pin biased possibly but with the Lake Como current strong along the banks of Bellano it was really the only way to go. The fleet inched forward as the seconds ticked down, Denison and De Gues, just two of many who gybed off and hooked onto port, a tactic which seemed to pay as they would be in good positions at the top. It would be remiss not to mention the others so... Phil Popple, Bas de Rugt, Saskia Arnold and Hans Duetz, thanks for making that start so exciting!

The bow of Matthew Frary's Solo punched out on the gun and he quickly tacked onto port, crossing ahead of the majority of the fleet and would work the middle with Chris Bunn, Menno Huisman and Michiel de Boer following and all in good pressure.

Tom Gillard, his bright green leader vest illuminated by the Sun's rays was again working the left and would round a close third with Menno and Gilles de Coombe playing nice just ahead, Michiel de Boer, Mark Lee and Chris Brown completed a top six from Denison, Bunn, Frary and de Gues, nice recovery! The beat had been exhausting so I sat down and let the young lad take photos as the fleet piled through.

The spreader was very generously far away, I did question if it was indeed course one requiring a triangle but not so, had it been windier, Alessandro, the official club photographer/videographer would have got some money shots.

The competitors soaked down the run, their Solos at various angles to minimise wetted surface area though a few seemed unsure which chine to choose, opting instead to tilt between the port and starboard one with some alarming regularity.

Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 2 - photo © Circolo Vela Bellano

Gillard, along with de Boer and Denison opts for the right-hand gate mark and heads left into the shore, choosing the perfect moment to tack off, away from the lee of a nearby mountain and just low of the lay line. Huisman had rounded second but, wary that Tom had passed him on that last downwind opts for the left gate, giving him clearer air but less pressure and current, a bold move and a minority follow the Dutch hotshot to the right of the course including Woodward who managed to start behind the line for a change.

The breeze has dropped and everyone is searching for maximum drive, some footing off for fast mode while others pinch and negotiate the small wavelets to maximise VMG. Acting NSCA President in waiting Paul Davis is having none of it, choosing instead to bulldoze his Boatyard at Beer/Impact radial sail straight through the eye of the wind and has Dutch Chairman Paul de Gues in his sights for the Battle of the Presidents.

Gillard extends up the final beat and is home and dry with De Boer and Denison nipping in ahead of Huisman who rolled the dice and paid the price. Brown, Frary and Bunn complete the top seven as the humidity rises and the fleet head down to the finish with no changes to the standings. Only one sailor managed to capsize, notorious for his Wally of the Day highlights and no surprise that it was Vince Horey who went for a swim, allegedly getting his leg tangled in a disobedient control line though Spurs forwards are known for their diving antics.

The Sun's opacity was reducing with every minute and with it the wind strength so the PRO wisely postponed for twenty minutes, allowing the competitors time to rest weary limbs and take on much needed fluids. The course was reconfigured with the axis further right and back towards its original position for race one and we went into sequence.

Race 4

Marco, my rib driver had been deep into conversation with his compatriot, possibly discussing the balance of basil with salt for the perfect pasta sauce so we were a little late to the party for race 4 and this was compounded by our position behind the pin and a committee end busier than Milan Central in rush hour.

The line of silver Technora arced across the lake with only the jet black Quantum sail of Tim Deacon's home build standing out like a shard of obsidian in a diamond necklace.

There was some interest in the right hand side of the course while a minority held on to starboard and took their chances on the side that had paid handsomely for the first three races of this Championship.

Alessandro, our press photographer, with an attentiveness Mary would have given to baby Jesus, laid the Ronin camera stabiliser on the softest part of his kit bag and pulled out a drone, he had kept that a secret.

I watched with some awe and a hint of jealousy as he booted up the high tech on his control panel and launched the DJI into the sky, the propellers buzzing like a bag of angry Bees before he sent them off to capture some action at mark 1.

The left had paid... again and this time it was the Lymington Town brothers of Rob and John Martin who would enjoy that magical feeling when the plan goes right. My apologies, I knew the South coast based club had sent a squad of finely tuned athletes but these two had slipped under my radar. Phil Popple, Peter Jansen and Firebird NED 629, owned by Jean Smit completed a top five containing two wooden Solos and a combined age I estimate to be 330 years worth of experience.

Xalient Solo Nation's Cup at Lake Como Day 2 - photo © Circolo Vela Bellano

The wind had tracked heavily to the left and with the inevitable congestion a raft of port tackers produces there were many heated discussions, none more so than from Gillard who was seen ducking, diving and spinning mid pack. The fleet were now having to beat to the spreader mark which must have been frustrating for the PRO to see but would make great drone footage.

The second lap was largely undramatic and Rob Martin would hold for the win with John just behind and a fast finishing Salcombe based Roger Guess third. Hans Duets took fourth and afterwards explained he did not know why he did so badly in race 3 or so well in race 4! Fifth went to Ted Bakker who is putting together a series after an initial UFD.

A protest has been placed regarding the re-positioning of the top marks and so standings are provisional. The hearing is at 10am on day 3.

The weather currently is an exact copy of day 2, we hope that the heat will soon initiate the thermals that this venue is known for.

Results after Day 2: