Winter Series : Race 1 - Solo Report

Published 13:14 on 29 Oct 2023

As the Solo sailors glanced up the course toward Blackstone there was some trepidation to see the 505 of the sailing god that is Peter Colclough smitten by an enormous southerly gust coming from the south, it was therefore with some relief to them that the Race Officer decided to reign in the windward mark from X to the Millbay mark, with multiple laps to Crossways.

The favoured start was from the Portlemouth shore, tacking onto port to get the maximum benefit from the spring ebb tide.  A compact group of Solos arrived at the windward mark, with Tim Fells gybing across the tide toward the windier Salcombe shore followed by John Burn, Chris Cleaves and Gavin Stevens, while Simon Dobson led David Greening and Mike Hodges down the Portlemouth side.  By the time the Portlemouth group had realised their error, they were to have to play catch up for the rest of the race.

Whilst Tim Fells extended his lead, the wind continued to pick up between the Ferry and the windward mark and the third beat saw Burn capsize and dropping out of the leading group, while Stevens had a death roll capsize on the final run.  

This led to Cleaves, Dobson and Greening covering each other to take second, third and fourth in short order.

By - David Greening

Photos By - Lucy Burn