Solo Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

Fishers Green Sailing Club held their annual Solo Open Meeting on Sunday 16th May 2021. The forecast was for variable conditions with prevailing wind from a southerly direction. This was proven to be the case with winds varying from a force 2 / gusting force 3 after lunch. This being preceded by lighter winds and also a dead calm for a short time.

It was pleasing to see 37 entrants on the start line which included 18 club members. As we know racing during the last 15 months has been challenging when taking into account the COVID - 19 pandemic alongside lockdown restrictions. As such Sunday preceded the latest lockdown change and an opportunity for all to travel / meet up outside and compete away from respective home clubs.

Solos at Fishers Green - photo © David Walford

For Fishers Green Sailing Club a record attendance this century and thanks go to all that travelled alongside club members. How many time did I hear ' It is good to be on the Open Circuit again, meet up with fellow Solo helms and compete away from my home club within a large and competitive fleet ' A 3 Race event giving the opportunity to discard one result. With southerly winds the Race Officer was able to use the entire length of the lake, set a long start line across the lake and a simple course which was to liked by all.

Race 1 - light winds and a pin ended favoured start. A general recall which seemed to feature during the day. A predominantly starboard sided beat to the windward mark followed by a short reach and then long run back to the leeward mark. Gains were made / lost on the beat and run as the wind speed varied and slightly changed direction. Alan Bishop (5723) was 1st closely following by Steve Ede (5804) and Vince Horey (5850).

Solos at Fishers Green - photo © David Walford

Race 2 - this race started in lighter and a fading breeze. A clean start with neither a favoured pin end or committee boat end. During the first beat the heavens opened / the wind changed direction and then disappeared altogether leaving no option but to abandon and return to the clubhouse for an early lunch.

Race 2 (part 2) - during lunch a slightly stronger breeze returned with brighter conditions all round. After 2 further general recalls the race got under way with balanced sided beat to the windward mark. A reach and then a long run with the odd plane back to the leeward mark. Alan (5723) prevailed again in 1st place with a long lead to win the event. A group then followed with Mark Maskell (5779) in 2nd and Steve Conroy club member (5328) in 3rd.

Solos at Fishers Green - photo © David Walford

Race 3 - the stronger wind conditions remained with a clean start and a slight course change to another windward mark. As the fleet progressed up the first beat the conditions became tricky - gusts of wind alongside numerous changes in direction. Another long and enjoyable two - sided run prior to a return to the long beat. Positions were lost / gained during the directional wind changes on the beat and on the run when choosing the time to jibe. Local helm / club member Paul Rayson (5181) prevailed in 1st place with a good lead. He was followed by James Goodfellow (5919) in 2nd and Steve (5328) again in 3rd place.

Overall a great event enjoyed by all and a credit to all at Fishers Green sailing Club for their organisation / hospitality etc. It was great to get back on the water within a large / competitive Solo Fleet away from respective home clubs.

Final positions within the top 5 were initially calculated incorrectly when taking into consideration the local SI 17.3. The prizes for the top 3 were similar so overall not problematic.

Overall Results: