Solo Open at BA Silver Wing Sailing Club
by Richard Charles 13 May 2005 04:31 PDT
7 May 2005
This was the inaugural Solo meeting at Silverwing so this event held something new for both competitors and club. The sight of white horses on the lake that greeted the competitors dissuaded some from sailing, whilst the usual culprits found it exciting.
Despite a weather forecast predicting winds of 16 m.p.h very vigorous conditions remained all day. The club wind indicator showed gusts of up to force 7.
The northerly blew straight down the lake which allowed the setting of courses with a superb planing reach and a gybe mark so the entry of 15 boats were in for a fine days sailing.
The first race was led to the windward mark by Mike Ball closely followed by Roger Puttock , Daniel Goodman, Judith Massey and Roger Bennett. By the start of lap two local sailor Roger Bennett was up the third place. Mike Ball held his lead followed by Roger Puttock and Mike Wilkie.
In the second race the competition winner Steve Jones got away cleanly and led for much of the race but was overtaken by Roger Puttock on the last lap. Keith Smith took third having been pressed all the way by Godfrey Clark.
The wind had eased to force 3 for the start of the third race but soon picked up and two leading boats got into difficulties at the gybe mark allowing Steve Jones and the remainder of the top bunch through. By the third lap Roger Bennett was in the lead but was ousted by Steve Jones who then held on until the end which clinched overall first place. The battle for second place ended with half a boat length between Roger Bennett and Mike Ball with Judith Massey in fourth place.
Following the success of this meeting it is was agreed that it will be a regular on the open circuit.
Overall Results:
1st Steven Jones (Littleton SC)
2nd Roger Puttock (Papercourt SC)
3rd Mike Ball (Papercourt SC)
4th Roger Bennett (Silverwing SC)
5th Godfrey Clark (Fishers Green SC)