Rooster Solo class Vintage Championship 2026 at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

First race restart - Solo Vintage Championship at Leigh-on-Sea © Gary Vickery

Eight visitors and nine club members entered for this the eighth Solo Vintage Championship at this club, again well supported by Rooster Sailing.

All the boats are required to be registered over 20 years old but now exclude FRP constructed boats. The Solos sailed are all fine examples of the class of yesteryear and are mainly built of wood by craftsmen!

They were greeted with fabulous warm and sunny sailing conditions with a light to moderate easterly breeze, for the three-race series, champagne conditions no less.

After the usual offering of bacon butties, coffee and tea, and a briefing by the PRO Steve Corbet, the fleet launched into the flooding tide covered the mud.

A brief pause whilst the trapezoid shaped course was laid, and the first race got under way from the committee boat. For the first time in living memory there was a general recall as the fleet of oldies were all to keen. At the second time of asking the fleet got away nicely and it was local sailor Jonny Wells (3994), and past Vintage champion, showing the way to the first windward mark.

Darren Ballard (3840) caused chaos at the mark by misjudging the strong incoming tide letting lots of others past in the process of extracting himself. Wells draw clearly ahead as the rest of the fleet sorted themselves out. The dead run to the third mark proved good for Brian Morum (4443) and after a shortened course of just two rounds Mike Barnes (3847) moved up to third place at the finish.

Race two started in similar conditions with all boats clear of the line. The thermal wind did not change direction but there some noticeable patches of changes which caught many out. The leeward mark decided to move itself further downwind, without knowing the course grew a little longer and the beat back to the finish made for a better windward leg. The race was shortened to two rounds and Wells was able to win again, followed by Ballard and Barnes again in third place.

As the tide turned at the start of race three the starting line bias was at the committee boat end. This saw an excellent start by Morum who jostled his way to the front of the closely chasing fleet. A full course of the three rounds in fabulous sailing conditions was led home by Morum followed by Leigh man Matt Tothill (3987) and Wells in 3rd place. Ballard finished in 4th which made a difference in the overall positions.

The two ladies in the championship Brenda Hoult (4217) and Val Mellon (4162) did really well showing the boys how it can be done. Both finished all races with Hoult winning 7th overall and the furthest travelled to the event. Whilst Mellon won the prize for her endeavours by finishing all races.

Wells won the championship for the second time with two firsts.

Sparkling conditions which most enjoyed and all returned satisfyingly to the clubhouse for food and drinks and the prize-giving.

The prize-giving was introduced by Class Captain, Colin Walker and thanked everyone for coming and enjoying the racing. The LSC provided the first three winners prizes along and Rooster Sailing provided the other valuable prizes which were handed out by the current LSC Commodore, Steve Barber.

Jonny Wells thanked the club for holding the event and all the members who made it possible, Rooster Sailing for their support, and hoped to see many more next year.

Overall Results:

Oldest boat: 3315 Alan Roberts, LSC
Furthest travelled: 4217 Brenda Hoult, Hayling Island SC