Solo Open at Papercourt Sailing Club
by Andrew Boyce & Martin Kemp 31 Oct 2023 19:12 NZDT
22 October 2023
Papercourt Solo Open © Mark Carleton
Papercourt Sailing Club's Solo open took place on bright sunny Sunday, with a south westerly forecast not to exceed 10 mph. The fleet consisted of 27 Solos and included 9 visitors. Under the guidance of the race officer, Mark Carleton, the day's sailing proved to be competitive and challenging.
At the first start the helms were so eager to get on with the racing that almost all the fleet were over the line well before the gun! At the second attempt It was only slightly better, with only most of the fleet being over! However, the black flag brought some order. Race 1 started with a favoured pin end, but these starters were sailing into less wind so whoever timed their tack first hit the breeze got away. Ian Matthews from the start was clear away and never challenged, until the final lap when he was overtaken by David Mason who took first with Ian second and Philip Popple taking third.
Race 2, the black flag continued to exert pressure on the fleet to stay behind the line with the notable exception of Race1 winner the rest of the fleet got away cleanly. It was Ian and Vincent Horey, who were away with a charge of boats in the chasing pack. At the finish it was Ian who came in first in front of Vincent with Andrew Boyce taking third.
Lunchtime was much enjoyed with a chili and jacket potato with salad fruit and chocolate for afters.
Race 3 promised slightly more breeze in the pre-start and during the first lap the usual suspects managed to stay in the wind and in phase with the shifts managed to pull away. The rest of the pack were locked in battle. However, Graham Sexton was well in the grove finishing with Ian and Julian Rickards just behind.
Race 4 was started without delay and the fleet got cleanly away with Graham and Ian joined by Paul Robinson, who couldn't sail in the morning. With a few boats still in the running for the title it was Graham who led from Ian and Vincent. At the gun Graham took the race in front of Vincent and Ian. Congratulations goes to Graham Sexton who narrowly won the Open meeting, by beating Ian Matthews on count back. However, they were both comfortably ahead of the rest of the fleet.