Allen Solo class National Championship and Nation's Cup 2024 at Brightlingsea Sailing Club - Day 1
by Will Loy 23 Aug 21:21 NZST
22-25 August 2024
The residue from Hurricane Ernesto resulted in no racing on day 1 of the Allen 2024 Solo Nationals at Brightlingsea © Will Loy
The Solo bandwagon has arrived at Brightlingsea, Essex, the contest to find the smartest, strongest, fittest athlete will take place over the next 3 or 4 days, or 2 and a half if the back end of Hurricane Ernesto does what it says it will do. 100 Solos, give or take a few are either safely tied down in the club grounds or en-route via the very extremities of the UK.
I had travelled from Brixham and that definitely qualifies but the Scottish contingent always win the most miles covered but just to be sure he won the award, Patrick Burns turned an eight hour journey into twelve, visiting Leeds twice as I understand. His co-pilot should have been Kev Gibb but he can no longer stomach Burns road trips so made the call to social services, we welcome Nigel Orkney as the new carer and thank Kev for his sacrifice.
My own trip was uneventful, not even bothering to look to the left as I passed the World Heritage site of Stone Henge, the highlight though was the discovery of, what must be the first Adult Store in the UK, just off the A12. I think it is inspiring and refreshing to be able to go shopping without having children running around the shop. If they stick a KFC on the side Chris Brown will be there all the time.
Brightlingsea Sailing Club was a hive of activity, Solos in various states of dress, the tide was high and lapping at the edge of the shore while above, the Solo and club flags danced like we used to.
Registration was well under way, the Brightlingsea volunteers handing out welcome packs containing NSCA event shirts, bow transfers and tidal maps, the latter would be absolutely no use to Patrick but he will undoubtably stick it to his deck anyway.
The Dutch are here and they mean business, still reeling from the 2-1 defeat on July 10 and, like the rest of the World, still wondering how Kane was awarded that penalty. We have secretly employed the ref onto the jury rib this week. There are some big hitters in this squad and they will all be accustomed to the short Ijsselmeer-like chop, brown dye has been added to the water just to make them feel at home.
The forecast this morning is not favourable, mid 20's with mast bending gusts in the lower 30's and having seen the number of pints drank last night by the professionals in our fleet, safe to say it will probably be a lay day.
The Raj Massala Curry House had the night of their lives yesterday as a large Solo contingent descended on their establishment, much like the recent riots but with much more decorum.
We had been warned that the owner likes to ply the visitors with much beer before service and this would account for it's popularity with us. We were deep into the evening before starters arrived, culinary expert Paul Davis (Solo Vice) expanding his palette with a nice Prawn Cocktail.
Gillard and Cumbley were already well into the hydration part of the evening, I am pretty sure Charlie dropped something into Gilly's Shandy as I have never seen the lad so animated. Tom has managed to transfer his skills across so many classes and with devastating effect, it was illuminating to hear him talk so warmly about them and other sailmakers.
This is the first Championship where both North jockeys are competing and while Gillard admits to being lighter and shorter, the fire in his eyes tells me he will be as hungry as we all were last night.
It is just after 8.30 am and with the race briefing set for 10.30 am the weather is dry and the breeze is already building, meanwhile in Brixham it is cats and dogs.
Day 1
I awoke from my slumber just before 6.am, the painkillers I had taken for a rather troublesome right lower molar doing their magic, the ice skate went back in its Fedex packaging, for now anyway.
I had been slightly worried about external noise pollution from the adjacent pub but fortunately it had closed early, a damning example of the state of the economy, cost increases and wage freezes. Essex folk seem surprisingly jolly nonetheless, the urge to show off their amazingly white teeth totally understandable which was a little irritating considering the state of my own dental health.
I made the short journey to the sailing club, no more than 200 yards in a matter of seconds, the V70 eating up the feet with some aplomb and emptied the camera equipment from its vacuous boot. The flags upon the race box which yesterday flicked with some vigour were now just about thrashed within an inch of their little uncomplicated lives, and it was only 9.am.
Inside, competitors and race teams sat idle, shielded from the strength of the wind and each exuding an air of satisfied resignation, no one would drown today.
Our PRO, Sarah, provided a clinical and yet reassuring race briefing, anyone with the ability to manage a Championship and tend to a baby is clearly accomplished, It would not surprise me if he assists on the Committee boat tomorrow.
With racing cancelled plan B was quickly rolled out, the club bar would be open, Superstars, Cumbley, Davis and Gillard provided a Q&A for the assembled crowd and then the club broadcast the AC Cup. All in all a very nice day. A big thank you to the boy band for re-forming just for us.
The NSCA organised the first of two competitor evening meals and Brightlingsea delivered a very tasty Hog Roast with more coleslaw than even my wife can eat. I was among a few who went up for seconds, sucking my cheeks in and rolling out a sob story finally loosening the dinner ladies grip on my paper plate. Thank you Brightlingsea.
NSCA President Guy Mayger and Nederlandsie Chairman Paul de Gues exchanged niceties though the Eels and Dutch Gin were presented with a glint in Paul's eyes, not sure how long he has been trying to palm them off. That said, Guy has more rake on his Solo than a Contender so is obviously up for any sort of experimentation, good luck with them Eels.
The daily prize-giving went smoothly, huge thanks to P&B, Shock Sailing (who have Giles Scott as an ambassador) Class Insurer Noble Marine, KLG Estates, Lifejacket Skin Protection and Impact Marine. Your donations went down so well and the fleet are very grateful. Please do check out the video.
The Deck Cam draw also provided some thrills and so tomorrow evening we hope to have on-board footage from Charlie Brecknell, Jeen Smit NED, Fraser Hayden and Steve Roberts, I will see you all before class to attach the cameras.
Friday is due to open with rain and 40+ gusts before a reduction in both by lunchtime.
Follow us via the WhatsApp app or catch up later in my next action packed and slightly fictional report.