Allen and CB Coverstore Solo Midland Area Series at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Allen and CB Coverstore Solo Midland Area Series at Draycote © Chris Brown

17 Solos participated in the 2026 Draycote open event which forms part of the Allen and CB Coverstore sponsored Midland area Solo series.

Another windy and cold forecast likely caused a lower than typical turnout; with many of the participants typically front end of the fleet sailors, it was set to be competitive event. During the briefing its looked like a promising day with about 12 knots of wind blowing the full length of the lake for which the triangle sausage format would be set.

However once the fleet set to launch the wind had started to pick up to white caps!

Race 1

Course and line set, the windward mark somewhere up there in the distance (3 beats per race in heavy wind was going to be tough).

The fleet hit the line at pace on the gun, majority on the Starboard end. Davenport, Hoffman (trying the competitive class in a borrowed boat) and Lucas played the right of the beat gaining an advantage. They led in that order on the initial triangle with Savitsky, Bunn and Swain chasing. Wilde played a lower line in the gusts and waves gaining 4th by the leeward mark.

The fleet settled in that order for the 2nd lap with a fight between Bunn, Savitsky, Brown and Swain on the run. Hoffman went hard left on the final lap which proved to be costly, Lucas and Wilde also but not losing as much. Swain/Bunn played the right and capitalised.

Wilde, Swain, Bunn and Lucas rounded together with Davenport holding a nice lead. Lucas avoided the spreader mark taking a gain (he later said he read the SIs that morning, smart move but I haven't checked that yet). Wilde led Swain but Swain managed to gain an advantage to windward at the leeward mark. So Davenport, Lucas and Swain finished the top 3.

Race 2

It was a solid 20 knots now but the sun was shining, almost spring like. Starboard end of the line was the favourite. Swain and Davenport went hard left where others went initially right before tacking onto the starboard favoured shift. The fleet were bunched at the windward mark however Savitsky led with a nice gap, then Swain and then a tightly bunched fleet.

By the leeward mark the gaps had closed and we had a race on! Savitsky, Swain and Davenport fought it out. Davenport took the lead but Swain managed to keep in touch to the point where he overtook to take the lead working a nice gust off wind to leeward.

With a few boat lengths separating them, it was full on reach off to the leeward mark, Davenport got over the top of Swain (similar to what he had done to Wilde in the 1st race) to retake the lead taking his 2nd win of the today event win. Savitsky came in a solid 3rd and Wilde 4th.

Race 3

It was now full blow on, up to 30 knots, too much really, thus 3 boats were left and all sensible sailors made their way to the beach. Swain, Wilde and Savitsky lined up for the final race hoping for a short race. Swain led comfortably to Savitsky, however at the gybe mark he decided to show the club house how you can cartwheel a Solo!

Savitsky gybed round Swain who was in the drink to take the lead. Swain recovered quickly and was back on the track chasing. On the final reach to the leeward mark I clocked 16.1 knots hull speed in some huge gusts trying not to nose dive through the waves.

Savitsky and Swain then fought it out to the finish at the windward mark with Swain taking the win. Wilde making big gains going hard left but not quite enough to get back in contention for a win.

Many thanks to the Draycote team, a quality venue and event organisation. Many thanks to our sponsors, Allen and CB coverstore. Final thanks to all those who supported the event recognising the forecast was not for everyone.

Overall Results: