Solution Inland Championship 2025 at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club

Solution Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton © Paul Hargreaves Photography

The Solution Inland Championships were held at Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club as part of their annual summer regatta over the final weekend in August. It was great to see so many boats racing; in addition to our Inlands it was also the ILCA and Wayfarer Northerns, as well as a handicap racing for the other club boats.

The Solutions, some of whom had travelled from as far as Norfolk and the South Coast, were met with a SSE wind which was very gusty and shifty making for challenging conditions. The sea sailors in particular had something to say about the sudden gusts. PRO Gareth Williams and his team did an excellent job, ensuring we had our own start and enjoyed close fair racing.

In race 1, after an early lunch, Kathryn Clark set off quickly and rounded the windward mark with a 40 second lead, proving that her 10% reduced sail is excellent upwind in a breeze. Richard Brown and local sailor Stephen Timbey rounded next. Paul "Basher" Nix lived up to his nickname and hit the committee boat, trying to muscle into a non-existent gap at the start, but still rounded ahead of Martin Tubb who make a rookie error and got stuck in irons mid tack.

Kathryn was slowly reeled in by the fleet, especially on the off wind legs and by the penultimate mark of the fourth and final lap, after nearly an hour's racing, Gary Patterson was leading, with Kathryn and Martin on his transom. Martin got a lucky gust to get the inside line on the short run into the leeward mark and stayed on the favoured starboard tack for the short beat to the finish, to take the win.

Kathryn was just to leeward of Gary forcing him to tack off and she slipped through into second with an unlucky Gary finishing third. Richard pipped Stephen to fourth.

Race 2 was held back to back. Kathryn was keen to get away again but was OCS and got a single recall. Richard wasn't sure and also returned. Martin built a large lead on the first half a lap, but this was steadily eroded during the remainder of the race. However he managed to hang on to win by 15 seconds from Paul, who had Gary on his tail.

Solution Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

We then went ashore for well-earned tea and cake, before it started raining.

In Race 3 Richard, Martin and Paul pulled away from the fleet, and had a close battle with frequent place changes. Martin threw away any chance of getting past Richard by kissing a couple of marks and having to do turns. Richard took a well-deserved win, with Martin just seconds behind and Paul in third.

Sunday's blustery conditions were similar to Saturday's although the wind was stronger and a 28 knot gust was recorded on the committee boat.

In race 4 we had to politely tell a Phantom that although similar he really isn't a Solution and should wait for the next start! Unfortunately Paul's mainsheet bridle broke and he had to go ashore. Kathryn sustained a minor injury and was forced to retire. Martin slowly pulled away to take the win from Gary in second and Richard third, with Stephen fourth.

In race 5 Martin, Richard and Gary rounded the second mark together. Martin headed off on a fetch along the bank, whilst the other two headed up onto a beat, as they hadn't realised the course had changed. Martin did shout to highlight their mistake but this gave him a small lead, which he held to the finish. Gary capsized giving second place to Richard.

We were all relieved to go ashore for lunch, and call it a day.

Solution Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography

Local sailor Martin Tubb was the Solution Inlands winner with Richard Brown taking second spot once again, just 1 point ahead of Gary Patterson. Paul and Stephen were tied for 4th with Paul taking it on countback, and Kathryn just 1 point behind them.

This was the fifth and final event of the 2025 Solution Travellers series and the win cemented Martin's position as the series winner.

Our thanks to Leigh and Lowton for hosting us, and to Paul Hargreaves for taking some excellent photographs. Also thanks to our sailmaker Ian Morgan for loaning his flat sail for Gary to try - the verdict was it's much better than his old sail.

Overall Results:

Solution Inland Championship at Leigh & Lowton - photo © Paul Hargreaves Photography