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Solo Centenary Open Meeting at Dell Quay Sailing Club

by Peter Binning & Lawrence Kies 7 Jul 11:02 PDT 28 June 2025
Alex Butler leads up the beat - Solo Centenary Open Meeting at Dell Quay © John Rogerson

The clouds cleared and the sun shone for Dell Quay's breezy Centenary National Solo Open on 28 June 2025. As the 25 boat fleet crossed the start line a curious seal took in the stunning sight from the windward mark. This was marvellous champagne sailing to mark the Club's centenary year. A stiff south-westerly breeze developed to give the fleet a testing beat up the harbour and exciting downwind legs.

The wind gently built as Harvey Hillary (Dell Quay Sailing Club) and Alex Butler (Hayling Island Sailing Club) jockeyed for first place during the opening Windward Leeward race. By the end of the three laps Harvey crossed the line first with Nigel Bird second and Chris Brown from Draycote SC third. Alex Butler came in 5th but was to take his revenge by winning both the second and third races.

The stiffening wind during the second race saw the first of a number of capsizes across the fleet as they fought tooth and nail for every place. The tide turned and started ebbing hard changing the best position on the course to make maximum use of the current, even catching out some of the local Dell Quay sailors, leading to Chris Brown coming in second and Simon Derham of Litteton Sailing Club taking third.

By the start of the third race the wind had picked up to about 14 knots. After well over two hours on the water a few competitors bowed out with their dignity intact. The race developed into a close quarter battle with every place in the fleet hotly contested. Capsizes increased as the wind picked up and competitors tired. After 3 hours, a hard core of 18 boats remained to the finish.

Alex Butler won overall with Harvey Hilary just pipping Simon Derham and Chris Brown to second place. Maria Franco Ferro (who, all credit to her, had made the journey to Chichester Harbour straight from the Nations Cup in Lake Como) was the best placed female helm and Simon Derham took the prize the Masters prize. Grandmaster winner was Nigel Bird. Septimus winner was Mike Barnes. Nikki Buchanan was top placed Dell Quay female helm.

Over 12 clubs were represented with the furthest afield being Salcombe Sailing Club, South Devon.

Dell Quay's 20 strong Solo fleet enjoys competitive sailing and socialising throughout the year.

Solo Southern Area Series results can be seen gradually building up at www.sailwave.com/results/solo/Southern-results-2025.htm

Overall Results:

PosCategorySailHelmClubR1R2R3Pts
1 5781Alex ButlerHISC‑5112
2 5735Harvey HillaryDell Quay Sailing Club14‑55
3M5393Simon DerhamLittleton‑4325
4M6135Chris BrownDraycote‑3235
5 5903Nigel Bird 2‑546
6G4892Ian BarnetChichester Yacht Club6‑8612
7G6000Bryan TaylorFrensham Pond76(RET)13
8G6088Iain McGregorSalcombe YC‑87714
9G5693Fraser HaydenPapercourt9‑11817
10G5563Richard SouthernBough Beech SC‑119918
11G5771Tim JacksonPapercourt1010‑1120
12G6025John EllisDQSC12‑131022
13M5501James Hart 14‑161226
14 6001Simon VerrallDQSC13‑151326
15G5668Peter BinningDell Quay Sailing Club1712(RET)29
16S3847Mike BarnesRYA/Lagos YC1514‑1629
17G4956Chris HopkinsBough Beech SC‑19171431
18G5952Noel WrightDQSC16‑211733
19 5675Maria Franco FerroLittleton SC21‑221536
20G5939Rudi BuckleChipstead Sailing Club‑20181836
21G6060John PurdyDell Quay Sailing Club1819(RET)37
22G5432Nikki BuchananDell Quay Sailing Club‑24231942
23G5550Adam KirkwoodBurghfield Sailing Club2320(RET)43
24G4957David SwiftDell Quay Sailing Club2224(DNS)46
25G4153Andy FisherPevensey Bay2525(DNS)50

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