National Solo 2010
The Salcombe Fleet is still growing with 48 boats currently registered - see list below Important Club Dates in 2010 Other Dates to note for this year Anyone thinking of attending either the pre-Champs or Nations Cup is advised to liaise with Paul Ellis who will be competing in both events this year. Links - National Solo Website - Windguru 'Gaffe' of the Year entries so far... Annual Prizegiving - 20th November Congratulations to the following winners: Waterhouse Trophy - Ed Stephens Tantrum of the Year - Malcolm Bell Home made cake award - Dave Greening Fleet Captain's Prize - Geof Gilson For Photo's of racing on 20th taken from the RIB, follow this link for video clips - click here Thanks to Jonty White for this fantastic set of 538 photos from the race box - click here More Photographs While Jonathan & Chris take turns (sorry) to race 4813, the other is busy with the camera, latest results from Chris available on the following link: Open Meeting 16/17th October I am indebted to Jonathan Turns who was out over the week-end taking photographs & supporting brother Chris on his debut return to Solo racing. Jonathan has provided the following link to his photos on photobucket If anyone is able to provide detail for a race report, please contact the fleet captain asap, so far the only report received is confirmation of Malcolm Bell's popular 44th place classification Forthcoming Training Following further requests for training days, some suggestions have been made for suitable training providers. It has also been suggested that individual sessions be arranged according to gender. I am indebted to messrs Bell & Cleaves for the following suggestions and would welcome any comments thtought the usual forum: Mens advanced training courses - link Ladies intermediate training courses - link Nations Cup - Quiberon The 2010 Nations Cup was held in the Baie de Quiberon, Northern France. Famous for its sailing conditions, Saint Pierre Quiberon is the location where the French hold the trials for their Olympic Sailing Team. Representing the cream of their two nations, a total of 36 British & Dutch Solo helmsmen entered this year's Nations Cup series with ten races held over four days. Four Solos from the 47-strong Salcombe fleet made the trip to France to take part. Alister Morley & Roger Tushingham spent the week living close by, with Paul Ellis aboard his yacht. On board catering was ably provided by Barney Greenhill, a regular supporter and sponsor of Solo Open Meetings in Salcombe. Roger Lumby made up the fourth member of the Salcombe team, but opted for a more comfortable nearby hotel for him and his wife Di. On the first day, there were excellent sailing conditions with around 10 knots of wind, albeit quite shifty. The men were outshone by the ladies who took line honours in the first two races, Vanda Jowett, a regular visitor to Salcombe, winning the first race and Marleen Gaillard the second. Salcombe crews finished the day almost at the top of the leader board with Paul Ellis & Alister Morley having each claimed a 2nd & 3rd place respectively between them. Day two was another beautiful day, but with stronger, more shifty, winds of 12 to 14 knots. Salcombe sailors began to revel in the shifty conditions and ended the day's closely fought racing with three out of the top four places. Paul Ellis was overnight leader by a slender margin. At this point only 6 points separated the top 6 helms at this stage. Day three brought yet more wind to the delight of Salcombe's heavy weather specialists. Paul Ellis got into his stride and took a second and two firsts, but Scotsman Geoff Henstridge was not giving in easily and remained in close pursuit with a 1st, 3rd & 2nd to end the day, after 8 races, in second place but on equal points with Ellis. Roger Tushingham & Alister Morley were only a few points adrift and still lying third and fourth respectively. Roger Lumby's sixth place in the final race of the day brought him up to 15th place overall at this stage. Day four brought sunshine, perfect conditions and 15 knots of wind. Morley & Tushingham were theoretically within striking distance of the leaders, but they were outclassed by the battling pair of Ellis and Hestridge, who each took a 1st & 2nd and fought right to the finish line of the final race. Even the experienced international judge claimed never to have seen such a close call, as these two ended the ten race series at the top of the leader board tied on equal points. Just behind them, Alister Morley, who won this event in 2006, and Roger Tushingham concluded their battle to take third and fourth respectively, with Roger Lumby a creditable 15th. In the final analysis, it was Paul Ellis's victory in the last race of the series that secured overall victory and brought the Nations Cup back to Salcombe. Tacking Videos Many thanks to Ed for supplying the following two links to videos on U Tube showing Solo training at Littleton SC last October: Tacking Video 1 Starting Video 2 Masterclass Chris Cleaves laid on an excellent day's sail training on 4th June - aimed specifically at the novice end of the fleet, the course comprised a morning in the classroom devoted to sail trim followed by some practice sessions on the water & finishing off with two races. All those who attended have benefitted & found some extra speed, in the following day's race Jayne Morris was almost uncatchable. New(ish) Boats I was recently informed that in his quest for perfection, Tim Law has ordered himself yet another new boat, but Tim now advises that my informant was misguided. In fact Tim has swapped his Boon 5122 for a Winder 5114 which will make its Salcombe debut in the regatta. New Members Tim Law took delivery of his new Boon last week-end & has sold his old boat to Nigel Ridley, who is about to give up sailing his National 12 now that his daughter Anastasia, is off to university. Nigel's defection from the twelves makes him our 46th member. Solo Fleet Spring Dinner - 1st May A total of 22 helms & partners got together for the first Spring dinner on 1st May. The event clashed with the Yawl dinner in the clubhouse and was therefore held at the Island Street Bar. The presence of wives & partners clearly had a stabilising effect as the Island Street staff expressed the wish that we return again soon. Some snapshots are available by following this link Booth way out in front! Easter Saturday saw the cream of Salcombe's fleet put to shame by the diminutive Clare Booth who led from the start & was was still unchallenged rounding the downward mark at Gerston some 20 minutes later. The large inflatable liferaft attached to the top of her mast later proved a disadvantage on the windward leg to Blackstone and some of the stronger boats managed to overhaul her. For photos from the race box, kindly provided by Jayne Morris, follow the link - PHOTOS News from Bewl Valley I have received a photograph of Peter Edwards taken on his wedding day with his most prized posession in his hands - the Autumn Trophy! What about the new Mrs Edwards, Peter? Clearly a Solo sailor to the core.
SOLO Fleet Captain - Adrian Griffin (4587)
Tel: Manager: 01548 842593 / Bar: 01548 842872 - info@salcombeyc.org.uk
