Autumn Series 

Weekend November 28th -29th
Report from Ted:-
Saturday  was not a very promising day for sailing, wind in morning blowing 25, gusting 29 at 10:30. One weather forecast was predicting strength reducing from about 12:30, possibly light by 15:00 but this did not seem likely. By about 12:30 the various members of the solo fleet present had decided against going out, with the notable exception of Greg Swift who was determined to get a last sail in before work commitments enforced a prolonged break. By 13:00 the wind was showing enough evidence of reducing to more manageable levels for Ted Gadd to decide to venture out as well.
At the start, in a westerly wind, Ted managed to get away first but was soon overtaken by Greg who was able to make good on a gust which reached him first.
Ted was able to regain a bit when the gust reached him but was unable to catch Greg before the gybe at S.W. Pilsey, rounding behind Greg by about two boat-lengths. Greg headed straight for the next mark, Copyhold, while Ted headed slightly south in the hope of, perhaps, gaining a bit of tidal assistance, it being just after low water. Ted gybed back onto port in the vicinity of Mid Winner and came back to cross behind Greg by about half a boat-length - a slight gain .
Greg remained on starboard gybe heading in the direction of Dunes whilst Ted followed the rhumb line to Copyhold. Ted arrived at Copyhold about five boat-lengths ahead of Greg and was able to maintain this lead up the ensuing beat to the Visitor's mooring windward mark. By now the wind had eased considerably and the run to Stocker seemed interminable. Ted rounded Stocker slightly further ahead of Greg.
What proved to be the final beat was sailed in steadily decreasing wind preventing Greg from making up lost distance, so Ted rounded the Visitor's mooring with a comfortable lead and when the course was shortened from Sandy had an easy but agonisingly slow light-wind reach to the line to win.
Sunday -30 + so off - again!

Weekend 14th -15th
Saturday - due to the 100 mph winds across the IoW - was off. Although the odd windsurfer did venture out and had to be dragged back by Frank. Cliff kindly went and checked the boat park - in the middle of a downpour.
Prize-giving in the evening - click - http://www.blaydes.plus.com/solos/html/social_events_09.html
Sunday was expected to be reasonable but  the fleet of 12 was soaked by a sharp squall on the way to the start by Lowles The course was then Dunes to East Head and  Astra - which wasn’t there - much to the consternation of the preceding 15s. So back to the start! Tim and David Sayce arrived much together at the first mark but David pulled ahead on the run whilst the rest of the pack had to manoeuvre around a flailing cruiser, allowing Nick into third place - which is where he finished - although he dropped this result in the overalls. On the second lap, Tim and David were still close but as the wind dropped, David surfed away downwind over the waves
Overall  - Nick, Chris, David, Barry Trevor

Weekend November 7th - 8th
Report from Tony:-
Saturday. A pleasant, if cool, day with a nice Force 4, brought out a baker's dozen of Solos to enjoy a big high tide. A wind shift before the start caused a rapid adjustment to the course, turning it from a triangle/sausage nearer to a windward/leeward. It was good to see George out again after a long break due to fitness issues. Up the first beat David Sayce and Chris Powles made the running with Robert Hack on their heels. Robert, alas, missed the gate at the end of the first lap and lost a lot of places. Up the second beat, Barry  and Tony  took a long tack onto the Winner bank thinking to find some early ebb, and were rewarded with a super wind shift in their favour, taking them from half way down the pack into a considerable lead. They fought it out to the end, but so closely that the Race officer had to award a tie for first place, with Chris and George following in 3rd and 4th.
Sunday. A cold and rainy day with an extra force in the wind reduced the entry to 8, with a start on the club line and a largely reaching course round the harbour. Nick Rawlings led from start to finish, pursued for a while by David Sayce and Chris Powles until David went for a long swim and dropped to last place. With wind over tide, the chop made conditions quite tricky on the broad reaches and runs. David made up a lot of ground, passing Robin and Ted Gadd, but not quite catching Barry and Tony, who finished 3rd and 4th.

Overall Saturday:- Chris, Tim, Tony, Barry, David S
Click here:-   http://www.hisc.co.uk/openresults09/autumn_sat_slow09.htm

Overall Sunday:- Nick, Chris, Barry, David s, Greg
Click here:-  http://www.hisc.co.uk/openresults09/autumn_sun_Solo09.htm

View from the box October 24th and 25th - From George:-
No sailing for me for 12 weeks, due to a bad back and holidays, and them I’m consigned to the race box!
But I’m not unhappy on Saturday, as the weather was awful - 22 mph winds, gusting to 30 and driving rain. No wonder that there were only two takers for the Solo race, and one solitary RS700 in the shape of Nick Rawlings; there were 10 members doing their race duty!!!
At the start, Chris Powles and Greg Swift were playing cat and mouse, with Chris just getting on top of Greg’s wind, and that’s the way it stayed for the whole race, with Chris pulling out a healthy lead at the finish. Greg wasn’t unhappy though - he was just glad to get round the course!
Sunday dawned much brighter, and the wind had dropped quite a bit, but the fleet still didn’t want to sail down to Astra where the rest of the classes were being sent, so prevailed upon me, Fiona and Anthony Penfold to run a race from the box. The start from the box saw a reach down to the first mark and, initially, it looked like Mark Allerston was going to be ahead, but he admitted he couldn’t sit out as hard as Nick Rawlings so he dropped in behind Nick. Behind them there was a battle between Tim Randall, David Sayce and Chris Powles for the next three places.
On the beat to Sandy, Tim retired with what looked like a broken outhaul, and Mark Allerston tacked with too much kicker on and the mainsheet cleated with the inevitable result! His ‘Tom & Jerry’ style slide to the stern of his boat gave much amusement to the Soloists watching from the balcony! About the same time, Robin Gadd fell in, while father Ted ran aground on the Winner bank and Barry Blaydes was seen testing the water temperature too!
Approaching Sandy for the final time, Nick was well ahead, while David Sayce called starboard on Chris Powles - more in hope than anger (from my view in the box), and Chris sailed past David but was then sailed over by David right on the mark and had to settle for third. Greg Swift sailed a very steady race for fourth, with Mark Allerston sailing very well to recover to fifth, having been right at the back after his capsize.

Report from Tim
Saturday 17 October – Wind force 2-3, strong ebb tide.  This race was to prove to be similar to last Saturdays in that Tim R and David S were again battling it out for the win, followed by Tony C.  This time Tim got the pin end start on the East Club Line and took the middle route up the first beat against the strong ebb playing the shifts on the north easterly wind.  The windward mark was an inflatable laid near NW Pilsey buoy.  David was boxed in at the start but was second at the windward mark 40 to 50 yards behind Tim.  Peter Best was next with new Soloist Steve Harvey fourth.  On the long reach against the ebb to Easthead, David edged past Tim.  The beat to Astra required a track over to and along the Eleanor shore. David put a close cover on Tim and then picked his way carefully through the Itchenor boats waiting en mass to start on the lay-line of the crossing to Astra.  On this leg, Tony came through to third and Cliff Wiles showed everyone the correct way by going much further along the shore before crossing.  Cliff made a big gain to ensure fourth position. There was a tide gate at Astra with big gaps opening up between boats as they rounded.  It was back to the west with the ebb via Dunes and then Sandy.  The tide gate at Sandy brought the boats back closer together.  The Race Officer shortened the course at Sandy with the finish on the Club Line North (ie between the race box on the clubhouse roof and NW Pilsey).  David took first, Tim second, Tony third and Clifford fourth.  There was confusion amongst those who were not familiar with the shortened course procedure at Sandy which resulted in some going to the East Line and having to battle back against the ebb on realising their mistake.  

After two races David and Tim have a first and second each and Tony has two third places.

Summer Series

Weekend 19th-20th September
This was supposed to be a great weekend’s sailing for the final Pennant Series and the Autumn Trophy! In the event on Saturday, the calm to flukey wind caused by the gradient NE and an insipid seabrezze coupled with the treat of a roaring ebb, meant that there was no real prospect of a race. On Sunday morning things looked more promising as the NE breeze was still intact but the pessimists forecasted a repeat of yesterday. Finally  underway, and the wind died. As we went onto the second leg from an inflatable near Pivot to round N Pilsey to port, we could see the FFs, who had started 15 minutes before us, drifting backwards towards Emsworth in the strong flood.. The Solos approached, with various prepared rounding strategies, each failing in turn as the tide took its grip. Some then drifted over to the Hayling shore while others hung back from N Pilsey for about 30 minutes. Eventually a small puff enabled a gaggle to round. These then set off to East Head, but made little progress apart from being swept up the harbour. Eventually a RIB showed up telling some of the fleet that the race was abandoned; The message was then changed to that of the race being shortened at Dunes. However,when Nick Rawlings eventually reached East Head, he was greeted by a RIB with an S flag, and the ordeal was finally over!

Thanks to all the people who arrived for the Garden Party  on Saturday, brought lots of lovely food and duly admired the garden!  A very pleasant evening.

Weekend 12th-13th September
On Saturday, Tim turned up with a new version of his P&B sail. (Actually it was the one used by Ian Pinnell at the Nationals) As Tim always seems to win when he uses a borrowed sail, there was interest to see what would happen. With a start at Dunes, things got tricky as Astra was approached. The wind began to shift considerably with some noticable gusts. Also, all the Itchenor keels boats were preparing to start right in the way. Chris P was first round, followed by Peter H, Tim, David Sayce and Nick.While the other 4 engaged in a close battle for the remainder of the race, Tim managed to seperate himself and cruise off into the lead; the legend is preserved.
On Sunday, it looked at first as though there would be less wind, tempting out just under 20 boats. Conditions were similar to the previous day. As we lined up on a short line at Dunes, the wind was picking up, giving a tough beat to Astra. Andrew Vosey rounded first and then pulled out the harbour chart he had just received to navigate round a series of different reaches. (Dunes, SWPilsey, N Pilsey, F Brookes then an inflatable near Dunes). A number of the fleet were tempted ashore when the club was back in sight and Bill Shepherd had to pull up when his kicker exploded. Meanwhile, Robert H, Barry and James G chased after Andrew but could not catch him. James ended up best of the followers.

Weekend 5th - 6th September
Saturday was a reaching race. There was a short beat from the start to SW Pilsey with a strong tide pushing the fleet to the mark. Most arrived at the same time and with the mark rounding to starboard, chaos reigned. Then we were off on a reach to channel, then another one down to Lowles. Each lap the wind got stronger and on the third trip down to Lowles and the finish the boats were flying. Nick was caught up in the melee at the first mark, but then proceeded to career past everyone except David Sayce who had got clear away on the first reach..
Sunday was a mass of confusion. Robert Hack, on the shore for some reason, reported seeing Solos sail 3 different courses. The sequence started in a flat calm near Thorney with a strong flood sweeping all the fleets up the harbour. It was impossible to get anywhere near the Committee Boat. Those with good eyesight spotted the change of course flag flying, but finding out what the change was proved virtually impossible. All but one FF drift back away from the line, but during the next 10 minutes the breeze filled in from the left side of the course enabling some of the Solos to make a start. Those that had determined the new course arrived at Dunes before all but one FF. Goodness knows whether any result was achieved. None have been published so far.

Weekend 29th -  30th August   Report from Tim
Saturday’s report is a bit sketchy as your correspondent was not near the front at any point in the race!  The wind was around force four from just south of west.  The Club Race Officer did not turn up and racing was only possible when a last minute volunteer was found.  The start was on the Club line with two reaches and a run before the first short windward leg.  David Sayce and Chris Powles had a good lead at the first mark (Treloar) followed by Melvyn Cooper and Peter Hickson.  At the leeward mark (East Head) David S still led from Chris, Melvyn and Peter.  Most of the fleet tacked under East Head, while late arrivals at the mark, Nick R and Barry B, went over Stocker Sands and made big gains. At the windward mark (Dunes) David just led from Nick, Chris and Melvyn.  On the next two reaches and a run David and Nick battled it out and Greg Swift was a big mover getting up to fifth for the windward leg.  This time it paid to go under East Head which Greg realised before the leaders did.  He made a further big gain and by the finish got through to third, right on the heels of winner David Sayce and second placed Nick Rawlings.  Chris Powles was fourth, Peter Hickson fifth and Melvyn Cooper sixth.
Sunday was a windier day with many of the gusts reaching force 6.  Our thanks went to Nick Rawlings who volunteered to stand in for the absent Race Officer to enable the rest of us to race.  Many thanks Nick.  Nick had only a skeleton staff and used the Club Line to get the fleets away.  This time Tim R lead off the line closely followed on the reach all the way to the first mark (Channel) by Tony C.  The following reach to the leeward mark (Lowles) was hairy as the ebb was well underway leaving the leg a bit shallow in places.  At Lowles, Tim led from Robert H and Chris Powles.  On the beat back to Sandy, Chris P tacked further out into the ebb and passed Robert and closed on Tim.  The next leg was a run back to Lowles in increasing wind.  Tim still led from Chris Powles and slightly extended his lead over Chris on the beat back to Sandy.    Nathon Rushin was showing good pace all round the course and moving through.  On the ensuing reach to Channel, Tim further extended his lead with the help of some big gusts.  The second reach from Channel to Lowles needed a hitch towards North Pilsey because of the state of the tide, and Chris regained some of his loss by bringing some of the gusts to Tim.  However, Tim arrived at Lowles for the beat to the finishing line with a good lead and a big gust.  He rounded up and tugged out the foot of his mainsail which was followed by a very loud bang as his mainsail outhaul exploded.  That was the end of Tim’s race with his mainsail resembling a spinnaker and cracking and banging so loudly in the gusts it was frightening the seals!  Chris took over the lead which he held comfortably to the finish.  Nathan pulled through to take second ahead of Robert in third.  Greg Swift completed a solid weekend with a fourth, Tony was fifth and Barry sixth.    

 From Melvyn :- At the Mengham Solo / Laser open last month my mate Adam was trying his hand at photos of sailing dinghies as he was down for the weekend from sunny Windsor.
I have persuaded him to put them on his website as I thought some of them were very good, despite the very light winds.
If anyone at the open from HISC or Mengham Rythe sailing club would like to get in touch with Adam via his website, here is the address.

www.adamtrewartha.com Go to Events and then Mengham open

Weekend August 15th - 16th
Sunday - Report from Tim:-
Wind force 2-3, ebb tide.  Tim got the pin end start, took the middle route up the first beat and crossed those that went right. A group went left off the start led by Gerry Hack, Anthony Penfold and Barry Blaydes.  The wind went left and the leading boats that went that way passed Tim on the cross, but at the Windward mark Anthony was first, Tim second and Gerry third.  Anthony led the bulk of the fleet high on the reach to Channel against the ebb on the Mengham shore.  Tim went low on the Pilsey shore and had a good lead at channel followed by Bill Ingram and Ted G who took the same route.  After a reach and run with the tide to the leeward mark – Johns Folly – Tim still led with Bill second.  Barry got the inside berth in the main group with Dave Sanders next followed by Nick.  Nick got through to second on the ensuing beat.  On the final reach of a shortened course things hotted up behind Tim who was well clear and kept low.  Nick looked safe in second for most of the reach but Gerry Hack zoomed through and un-noticed by Nick and Dave Sanders, picked the favoured end of the finishing line to snatch second only feet ahead of Nick and Dave in third and fourth.

Federation Week 10th - 14th August
Monday. The week started with a good blow gusting up to 25 knots. The first mark was ‘Bank’ in the turbulent water over the Winner. Chris Powles was in the lead and screamed off down the two long reaches, with the rest of the fleet chasing hard. The subsequent three beats were back to SW Pilsey, each one seeming longer than before as muscles ached and energy sapped away. As the wind picked up, the final triangle was a couple of not-to-be-forgotten reaches, but the last beat to the finish, mercifully, had some tide to help. Nick Rawlings and Tim Randall could not rein in Chris and Ray Collins showed his blistering reaching speed to keep close behind them in fourth place. Over a dozen of the fleet fell by the wayside and did not finish, but Sarah Mitchell, in practically her first Solo outing of the year, finished a very creditable 8th.
Tuesday. At first it looked like there might not be any racing as we hung around watching the fitful breeze flick around and frequently die out. But just in time, before racing was binned for the day, the sea breeze came in and things rapidly got underway. It was back to Bank again but a port hand, much more compact, course. This led to fearful problems with other fleets; after gybing round East Head and onto a tightly packed planing port reach we found ourselves scrapping across the front of the Flying Fifteen start. And then, there were packs of RS200s hunting down the leeward marks oblivious to other fleets. On the beats back to Bank there were panics as out of control asymmetric careered up from behind in the misguided hope that one could do something to avoid them. A further hazard of the day was that we started under a one minute round the ends rule which seemed to have missed the attention of the stars in our fleet. Tim Randall, who had lead the race throughout, Melvyn Cooper and Robert Hack all finished to find they were out. This left Nick Rawlings with a win followed by Tony Catchpole who had spent the afternoon, after going badly wrong on the first beat, serenely cruising past all boats except one.
Wednesday. Another SW wind so it was back to Monday’s course but with the wind at 10 to 15 knots this time. This was a fairly incident free day and Simon Notley soon established the lead followed by Nick Rawlings and Tim Randall. As the wind was fairly steady and the tide modest,  there was little chance for tactical moves and so there was little place changing among the leaders. However, on the final reach, Tim became embroiled with some lasers and overlooked Ray Collins with his reaching speed powering through to leeward.
Thursday. The wind was round to the south and light too, so we went off to Channel for the start. The RS200s had a general recall so we watched in fear to see if they would be put behind us in the starting order in accordance with the SIs. The starting pinn was dragged an unbelievable distance up wind, then we saw, with relief, that the 200s were having another go. Finally, it came to our turn, with a black flag from the onset. The pin was the place to be, but we could only just cross the line on starboard, so not surprisingly the first three boats at the windward mark were in the order they were lined up at at the pin But there were many who made awful starts, including Robert Hack, who for some inexplicable reason  was in irons going backwards when the gun went. Seemingly, there were no black flag penalties. Although he had an early good lead, Nick Rawlings came under pressure as the followers closed him on the run, but he managed to hold off Simon Notley and Ray Collins. On the last beat, Chris Powles put his foot down and rushed up on the leaders, narrowly missing out on second place.
Friday. Nick Rawlings entered the final day in a good position to win the event, however,  Simon Notley, if he won the last race would overtake him. Also Chris Powles was equal on points with Simon and would be striving to get ahead.. Due to the state of the tides, Series 2 races were held earlier in the day on a low water course, giving us a start at Rookwood ,with Dunes as the windward mark. The fleet was well spread down the line and were clean away under the black flag. It took some time to see how the leaders would emerge, but as the long port tack along the Pilsey side continued, the three leaders gradually showed. Nick, round Dunes first, was not troubled by the others for the rest of the race and Chris took the second place that he needed. Elsewhere, there were various incidents with the other fleets. For example, Peter Hickson was seen to disappear among  a group of converging RS200s and others had  Laser moments. Each beat back to Dunes was tricky because those who pointed high lifted up into the tide and lost ground against those that footed up the edge of the channel. All, except for Sarah ignored the East Head option; a big mistake as Sarah gained many places over the last two laps going from last to tenth!.

Overall results. http://www.chifed.org/fedresults/results2009/2009-12-soloos.html

Regatta 8th August
It was perfect weather  for Regatta day although the breeze was light - 6 to 8 knots with not that many boats taking part; perhaps this was because it was a Saturday. Visiting Solos quickly showed their skills in these conditions, pushing the home fleet, other than leader Tim Randall, off the podium.

Weekend 1st - 2nd August
Saturday was rather miserable with the rain coming down but there was a good breeze for those that ventured out. Peter H rounded Sandy in the lead, but on the long reach down to East Head, David M planed through everybody’s lee to become number 1. However later on David planed away towards Emsworth on a course of his own making, leaving Peter with the honours.
Sunday was a perfect start, the sun was out and the wind F3. 23 boats logged out, although the RO wrote down more as the Mengham boats went through out start line!. Was this why we had a general recall? Tim excelled in the shifty conditions picking out a good lead after the first couple of tacks. The rest had many changes of place as the wind kept up its tricks, resulting in Chris second and George third.

Weekend July 25th - 26th
Another windy weekend with gusts up to 20 knots on both days. Strong currents and waves caused by the spring tides added to the fun. A number of capsizes and retirements were seen on both days but many turned out to have a go in the exhilarating conditions. On both days it was Nick and Tim fighting for the honours at the front. Nick had the lead on Saturday, while Tim pressed him until he just could not hike anymore on the last lap. The order was reversed on Sunday, Tim had let one hole off his forestay. Nick tried to grind him down but to no avail. Chris cruised round on both days to get two thirds. Too many capsized at least once over the weekend to be listed here!

Weekend July 18th - 19th
Saturday was the now usual squally race but the evening Garden Party was again well attended by the usual crowd and a very pleasant, relaxing evening enjoyed by all. Many thanks to the Penfolds for their hospitality.
Sunday and the Rear Commodore House rumoured that the lack of enthusiasm for racing in 40 knots was due to the drunken orgy the night before! Robin and Ted Gadd did attempt to sail but neither made the start line and Robin was towed back submerged. The RS OM had a very lively time

Tuesday July 7th DELL QUAY DASH
Not very well supported this year due to unsettled forecast which did not, in fact, materialise except for the odd, but quite exciting, squall. The first of these, during the starting procedure, had Peter Best rapidly changing down to his Plan B and Jane and Keith huddling behind a pillar on the pontoon for the flag waving performance - which went off immaculately.
Bill Ingram set off first followed belatedly by Peter, then Barry and Bill Shepherd and finally Mark Allerston and Melvyn. Bill I got away in the last of the planing puffs as the squall passed over. The rest of the sail was quite a gentle reach and run with only a very few planing puffs and limited place changing, Dell Quay was reached first by - Bill Ingram, who takes the trophy this year,  followed by  Melvyn.  Jean (John) Sagues was kind enough to do the finishing for us and Liz provided the usual filling Ploughmans lunch followed by strawberries and cream and coffee in their very cozy Clubhouse - filled comfortably by their 37 visitors. The fiver per head produced sufficient funds for a donation to the Chichester Harbour Trust and Doreen, from the Social Sailing fleet which had arrived in three boats and several cars (one of the latter bringing Nicole and Frances for us), presented Jean and Liz with a bottle and a box of choccies.
Mark had to leave early - to work - but the rest of the fleet set off - in another vicious short squall which prompted Bill Ingram to claim his pre-ordered tow from the rib manned by Jane and Keith. The usual tricky beat through Itchenor, with Melvyn and Bill Shepherd having a good fun battle was, fortunately, completed before the next squall which was accompanied by spectacular lightening over Easthead, several overhead starling claps of thunder and horizontal hail. Melvyn hove to for a bit and Bill completely disappeared into the spray for a few minutes. Frank appeared out of no-where looking for trouble and  happily found none, but it was nice to know he was around as usual! At 15:15 the final squall wetted the trolley dollies, Nicole being shown the ropes by Frances. The fleet thought they would make it back before this one hit, but it crashed in as they were by Fishery, one minute virtually becalmed, the next in unsailable conditions.
A good day out made possible by everyone joining in to help with the running and organisation of it

We wish all the best to Keith who was going into hospital next day to have a pacemaker fitted;  we hope keeping busy took his mind off things!

Weekend July 4th - 5th  PENNANT SERIES 3
                                         QE 2 GOLDEN JUBILEE HANDICAP
Saturday Report from Rob Hack ;_CRO Nick Rawlings took all the fleets out into the bay for the Saturday Pennant race.  The trip to the start line was something of a voyage for the Solos, but well worth the effort.  Around 20 Solos started in a south-easterly F2 – 3 which was very shifty and patchy, and dropped during the race.  Tony C led a group out to sea in search of better breeze, but it was Rob H, Tim R and Melvyn C who led round the first mark, having tacked on the shifts up the middle.  These there remained at the front, with Tim and Melvyn swapping places a couple of times but Rob extended his lead only to cross the finish line to a deafening silence, having led about half the fleet round the wrong leeward mark (the orange one instead of the black one) on the first lap.  Wise owls  Ken T, and Greg S led those who sailed the right course and deservedly ended up in the chocolates. 
Sunday  Congratulations to Greg Swift who won the personal handicap event over the weekend. It was a close thing with Bob Smith who was winning after the first race on Sunday, but who then stopped for some R&R.
The full results are at http://www.blaydes.plus.com/solos/html/qe11_handicap.html
Many thanks to Anthony Penfold who stepped in on Sunday morning to be our Race Officer.
A warm welcome to Andrew Vosey 4441, who has joined HISC and was out on the water this weekend.

Weekend of 27th - 28th June
Code Flag L displayed afloat means come within hail. Those that did so on Saturday discovered the course had been changed. The first mark was no longer Treloar, but Sandy. Half the fleet opted for each option so half were disappointed on coming ashore. Robert Hack was first home from those who were paying attention.
Sunday’s race had a couple of premature starters. Tim Randall thought he had won and Doug Sanders thought he was in the money too. “No” said the RO and binned them. This left Ken Tomlins with a well deserved win after sailing up though the fleet after a poor first leg.

Weekend of June 20th - 21st   Summer Series starts
There was not much weather about for the first of the summer series although on Saturday the fleet of 18 or so did enjoy one planing reach.  Nick won this race and David Sayce was victorious on Sunday.
The Garden Party at the Wiles’ house on Saturday evening - a very pleasant evening - was well attended, as usual, and the gorgeous and quite exotic roses, inside as well as in the garden, were much admired.
Meanwhile, two of our more adventurous sailors attended the pre-national Championships at Weymouth where there was a turnout of 48 Solos - not an awful lot more than that of our Open Meeting, in fact. George came 20th and Dave Sanders 33rd;  the competition was obviously very strong.

Weekend June 13th - 14th Last of the Spring Series
Saturday and 18 starters went off to Stocker Lake with a course set near the top of the tide in a light Southerly wind. The first mark was Treloar which was a bit of a mistake and RO Barry - assisted by Jane and Rob Hack - realised belatedly that it would have been better to put an inflatable on the edge of the bank as the tide was still sluicing in. It depended entirely how many goes one had as to who got around first!  Apparently Ted arrived 2nd but didn’t make it. Nathan, however, did and was well away on the first lap.
Report from Tim:- Nathan made a perfect port end start and was only passed by me in the beat against the tide into Treloar. He rounded second about five boat lengths behind me and passed me going very fast on the run to East Head. I passed him on the next beat back to Treloar only for Nathan to pass me again on the run to Astra. He held on well in in spite of the best efforts of myself and Tony to pass him on the close port tack fetch to Johns Folly in increasing wind and then  the short beat to the finishing line.  Tony  sailed a brilliant leg on the second beat to Treloar; on the long port tack from the Gate to the Beacon on the Treloar bank, he passed to leeward of several boats to take up a close third position by the windward mark. Chris was 4th followed by Nick
Overall Results:- Nick, Tony, Barry, Chris Powles, Ted Gad
Sunday and 17 Solos waited out a postponement while the wind lazily twirled about before settling in the SW - ish and then eventually blowing quite hard. The start was on the edge of the Stocker bank going to an inflatable south of Sandy.  Robin Gad was seen going right - which had paid for the 15s leader - and it looked as if he was going to get a good lee-bow on the flood until his luck changed - with a massive header! The wind then switched back so whilst the fleets were all down at Astra the windward mark was moved North - and Flag c was hoisted - much to the consternation of some sailors. Although the wind then shifted back the increasing flood kept a good beat and Nick,  followed by Tim, was in his element. Unfortunately, both of these elected to sail the shorter Slow Handicap Course  - to the worry of the RO!  However, the rest of the fleet had copied down the course correctly and David Moseley shortly took the lead from Chris. Tony, after a terrible first leg, was up to 3rd followed by Greg Swift and Jerry Hack who also came up the fleet rather well. Bill Ingram, in 6th place, complained bitterly about the pain incurred on the one-sided fetch  from Astra to Dunes - a result of the wind shift.
Overall Results:-Nick, Tony, Chris Powles, Jerry Hack, Bill Ingram

Weekend June 6th - 7th        Pennant Series 3                  Dell Quay and Chi OM
David Sayce and Mark Allerston went to Dell Quay for the Open Meeting on Saturday. David was 3rd Overall and Mark was 4th. Next day, David was our sole representative at the CYC Open, but he did us proud by winning. Congratulations David.

Saturday and back at the ranch, the Pennant Race was a real challenge with a massive ebb on the start line and a crowded harbour. David Moseley had a horrid time with the CB anchor chain locked round his rudder; he eventually sailed back to HISC rudderless. Great stuff David, you were able to leave the rescue boats to look after the holed FF and Wayfarers  and at least one other dismasted boat . The Solo fleet even survived the full onslaught of the Itchenor keel boats which  seemed to have a particular grudge against Trevor. Even his mildly sarcastic “Thank you very much”,  when they tacked on him yet again, nearly resulted in a protest for use of foul language! Nick was fairly untroubled and went on to win the race, followed by Chris and George. Barry found the gybe at Sandy rather over challenging.
Sunday started with some disbelief as it transpired that only one CB team had turned up and all racing was outside. Beating out against a strong flood, the prospect of a long wait between races and a return over the bar in full ebb, and with a dodgy forecast, did not appeal. So we did our own thing, thanks to Tessa Lancaster agreeing to run our races from the box. We had two great races on the top of the tide with the shortest possible turn round time between races. Nick was literally caught short and Tony was having a leisurely drink in the trots as the second race started. Both races were a massive triangle, Treloar - John’s Folly - Mill Rythe - Sandy. The reach across the Winner Bank from Treloar was fantastic with some decent size waves and no breakers. Furthermore, we had the entire area to ourselves, not a HISC or Itchenor keel boat in sight. Also, in both races the beat back from Mill Rythe was very tactical in the shifty winds and virtually tide free conditions. In the first race, Dave Sanders showed us how a pond sailor deals with waves, to beat Nick by a few seconds, with Rob Eastwood third. In the second race  David Moseley (with rudder today), Nick and Chris broke away and kept clear of the bunch with Nick taking line honours to give him the weekend Pennant result.
Overall results with 19 starters:- Nick, Chris, Dave Sanders, David Moseley

Weekend May 30th -31st   Tyler Trophy Open Meeting
On Saturday, the first three races were held in Hayling Bay in ideal conditions. The wind was a steady SE F 4-5 and Race Officer Adrian Simpson gave the fleet some 4 hours of perfect racing. The pattern in each race was similar. The leaders started near the committee boat and made their way inshore on the beats. Charlie Cumbley emerged as the early leader in every race. Andrew Bonsey displayed spectacular downwind speed to collect three 2^nd s. David McGregor and Steve Ede, with different upwind and down wind speeds, shared the 3^rd s.
On Sunday the wind was NE F 2-3 and very shifty; the racing was much more tactical. As general rule, it paid to point as high as possible in these conditions to get wind clear of the fleet and not be tempted to bear away for the shifts. In Race 4 Cumbley won again and Ian Barnett, who was not out on Saturday, was 2^nd. Nick Rawlings worked his way through to 3^rd.
In Race 5, Will Loy, last year’s Trophy winner,  shortly before the first mark  appeared to tack, all jammed, with the usual consequences! So, it was Cumbley and Tim Randall who rounded the first mark together. Bonsey’s downwind speed soon gained him another 2^nd .
For Race 6, the wind dropped and Charlie Cumbley, with five 1^st s under his belt and the rather weird, three-handled Tyler Trophy safely in his pocket, bowed out gracefully. Randall arrived at the first mark 1^st with Barnett close behind. Barnett went on to win, followed by Bonsey, Ede and McGregor, who all benefitted in the shifty conditions.
Before the prize giving, the usual Solo HISC tea was enjoyed by all of the large entry of 41 competitors.

HISC member Greg Swift had his best result of series in the 5th race, ending up 9^th ,  despite breaking his tiller extension half way round and embedding a long sliver of carbon in his hand. Race end, he pulled out the carbon but, with the resulting agony, decided to call it a day!
Another trophy was also up for grabs in the last race.  On the second reach, Nick Rawlings lost out to David McGregor, battling for the privilege of picking up a rather fine black and yellow spotted football, the loss of which some child on the beach upwind was undoubtedly lamenting!

Points Racing still happened inside the Harbour and for those not participating in the Open Meeting, a much stronger, though funneling ,wind made for some interesting sailing
Saturday - Tony, Ted and Nick Webb
Sunday - Tony, Ted, Robin, and Fred, who has spent time floating around the Eddystone Lighthouse preparing for the Fastnet Race later on

Weekend May 23rd - 24th.   Points Series and Mini Olympics
Saturday This was a bit of a float-about up to Astra with lots of place changing depending on where you were in the sluiceway  when the puffs came. Nick had a bit of a controversy with Mid winner after the race - he didn’t see it coming in time and had to leap onto the bow to fend off. Whereupon boat promptly fell in - fortunately missing the buoy! Finishing order - David Sayce, David Moseley, Trevor, Cliffs, and Nick.
Overall. Nick, Barry, George, Chris Ted
Sunday Mini Olympics. A course, consisting of a triangle and a  sausage with the finish round the leeward mark to a pin to port of the CB, was laid on the top of the tide in the Stocker lake. A light wind from the E died just as people were desperately trying to get back over the start line and then, quite unbelievably and just in time, arrived a mild and fairly steady, sea-breeze. Roy Barnes, RO on his big new CB Kusi, immediately ordered a turn around of the course which kept Jane and Mike O’Connor busy  in the rib and Nicole, Sheila and Tony occupied with flags  and wind indicators etc. The new buoys, made by Bill Ingram, were well and truly tested and found to be in need, perhaps, of a few strengthening dowels! but very easy to handle - apart from when being lifted out of the Sargasso sea.!
 After the first race, won by Nick, with Nathan close on his tail, Nick suggested that the fist mark needed to be moved to the left. This was done, together with the wing mark and the course stayed good for the remaining races, the pin being moved back a bit for the last race only. The second race was won by Nick, with Nathan close on his tail. However, for the third race David Moseley led until the last run when  he, unhappily, did a very awkward gybe to clear his wind and let David McGregor through into first place. The last race went to David Sayce, with Nathan close on his tail. There were quite a number of OCSs, the fleet being, of course, very keen and Nathan lost one of his 2nds. This left Nick well in the lead overall,  David Sayce, 2nd and Nathan beating David Moseley for 3rd place with his better position in the last race.
For complete results, click here:- http://www.hisc.co.uk/clubresults09/spring/sunsolo_olympic.htm

Weekend May 16th - 17th   8th Spring Point Series
SATURDAY was blowing 30 knots so Club racing was off.
The overall results stand as for May 9th:- Nick, Barry, Chris Powles, Ted and Tony
However, there was a good gathering for the Catchpoles’ Garden Party in the evening and about 30 regulars enjoyed an exceedingly pleasant supper in very relaxing surroundings!
 (Back views eminently recognisable)

SUNDAY.  The 50 knot spike in Chimet, and heavy rain, obviously deterred many sailors from even visiting the Club. However, there was a lull for the start and 7 Solos went out in a SW of 15 knots which, unhappily, gradually rose to 30 knots by the end of the race. This was probably all rather exciting but, in fact, only half the fleet finished i.e, Nick, Mark Allerston, Robin and David Moseley in that order
Mark Allerston says:-You all missed a very interesting sail yesterday; I passed Nick on the down-winds and he passed me on the up-winds - until I fell in. Very high freeboard and slippery fingers!
Overall results:- Nick, David Sayce, Tony, Chris Powles and Jerry Hack

Weekend May 9th - 10th   7th Spring Points Series
A rather cold and not very bright weekend that did not, however, deter the Solos
SATURDAY  A SW and very variable wind  sent 22 starters to a line over the which they were pushed by the ebb. On the beat to Sandy, our peripatetic Rock Star, David McGregor emerged as leader. He and Nick rounded Sandy in a flat calm but then sailed off at great speed leaving the rest of the fleet tacking back and forth. Ken Tomlins was next round in 3rd place. As we proceeded around the harbour via Astra, Nick passed David on the reaches but lost him again on the beats. As the back of the fleet attempted to round the becalmed Sandy for the second time, the Solos closed up and some boats were actually swept passed and so over-stood badly. After rounding Sandy, David Moseley decided that the best way to the next mark against the tide was to go in a straight line - whilst everybody else scattered over the harbour.  He was right! At the finish it was David Mc followed by Nick and then Tim.
SUNDAY. The wind had gone to the SE but it was another chaotic start for the 24 Solos with the tide again pushing them over. It was a small triangle - sausage course  with all the fleets doing the same thing! George, starting from the pin end, rounded the mark 1st and with Barry 2nd,  set off on a planing reach in a stiff breeze. On the second reach the wind died and it was a slow progress to the leeward mark where there was more chaos with all the fleets piling up; FFs slopping about dropping kites, 14s careering around on the outside and a Merlin calling for ‘Water’ from way back!. With a defiant cry of’ ‘No water for anyone’ George rounded, maintaining his lead but promptly forgetting to sail through the gate. Tim ramped up the beat, making the most of the shifts and some surprising tidal effects and rounded the mark with a commanding lead. There was lots of place changing round the remaining laps and David Moseley made it up to 2nd place with David Sayce in 3rd position.  Bob Smith, on a high, declaimed that he had had the best sail of the season, as after an appalling start trying to avoid the Sunbeams, he had sailed up through the back of the fleet.
No published results as yet

Weekend May 2nd - 5th.  2nd PENNANT SERIES AND GERALD BELL TROPHY
Congratulations to Nick Rawlings who won the Gerald Bell Memorial Trophy with 3 straight wins.
Tracy did a very good job of organising fun and games over the weekend and even provided a sufficiency of wind, but for some, a surfeit of waves!
SATURDAY.25 boats boats started out to sea but 8 of the elderly lightweights took objection to the very bumpy conditions on the bar and returned - keeping the Trolley Dollies on their toes. Ken Tomlins managed to struggle home with his extension hanging onto his tiller by a mere carbon thread. Somewhat younger lightweight, Jo, though late to the start, carried on to finish the race in 13th position
SUNDAY and there were more recruits to the scene including Nathan, last year’s Trophy Winner and Sarah, now unrecognisably brunette and more able to cope with waves than her Mum! She made a good start which gave her plenty of space to go backwards without finishing last (her words). Tony came in and also, with some difficulty, Peter Best whose main sheet, very surprisingly, just snapped
Jane asked me ( David Moseley 4746 ) to write a report on the racing as the usual winners are suffering from writers cramp - so here goes.
Saturday was bright but breezy and the prospect of a long sail out to Hayling Bay West and a rumoured Force 5 deterred some solos, but those who slugged it out against the flood tide were rewarded with a great sail in 15 plus knots.
For the first race,  neither end of the line seemed favoured and I found a bit of space in the middle and was able to make a clean start. There was  a pronounced chop and with the boom well out from the transom and  plate well back I seemed to have good boat speed on the boats below me.  I tacked onto port and ducked a couple of boats. Coming up to the mark Nick, who had gone right, was the only boat to cross me. The lay line was difficult to judge with the east going tide but I managed  a couple of quickish tacks coming up to the windward mark, without stuffing the boat head to wind, and was  able to scrap  round second. I managed to keep ahead of the chasing pack, headed by David Sayce, on the two reaches and the next beat was a long tack on port out of the tide. When I finally  tacked onto starboard  I saw I had over-stood the windward mark by a comfortable margin. Fortunately, I was not the only one  but David Sayce got through having tacked below me - so I was third.  The wind had dropped making the run uneventful apart from Peter Best sailing over the top of me - so I was  fourth, Rounding the leeward mark  for that peculiar reaching finish (what is the reason for it ?) Greg Swift and Tony Catchpole began sailing over the top of me. Now, I am not that fast on a reach but not that slow either I thought, and sure enough, a big lump of seaweed was wrapped round the rudder. By then I had dropped to sixth -  Oh dear ! So, it was Nick followed by David. To end the day for those on the sail back who cut the corner at West Pole, there were a couple of big breaking waves  to practice  on. See -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlPqL7IUT6M
Sunday dawned chilly and overcast and not nearly so inviting but at least the sail out benefited from the ebb tide and enough water to cut between the shore and West Pole.
There was a bit more wind than Saturday  but a bit less of a chop. At the start, I was up at the committee boat, which was a bit crowded, but I got clear wind  and enough speed to sail over the boats  below me. I followed Tim Randall out to the left and, for once, had the windward mark clearly in view and I knew I could not  make the same mistake and over-stand. A tack onto port, however, gave me the bad news! -  the sight of  the slow handicap fleet going round another mark – and to leeward. I could see the fleet coming across on starboard headed by Nick (who else) so a long agonising close reach followed. For reasons I don’t quite understand, (maybe we had more wind ) Nick was the only boat to cross me and I was able to get across Chris Powell  with a few feet to spare (I hope that Chris saw it the same way ! ),  tack round the mark and head off down the reach. Second again,  “what’s going on?”  But more surprises were in store On the second reach a nice gust  took me straight past a seemingly stationary Nick and into the lead. Now, being second is one thing; in the lead is quite another and there was no navigator on board for a start. I had to work out where the windward mark was and with my record so far, the prospects did not look too good. However, Nick, obligingly, solved the problem for me  by tacking underneath me on the next beat and getting back into the lead. Tim Randall was now just behind me so I loosely covered him up to the windward mark,  managing to keep him and the seaweed at bay on the downwind legs to finish second.
The second race was started without too much time wasting and although there seemed to be a committee boat bias, by the time of the start it had gone to the pin end. I was well away at the start but it all went down hill after that along with the wind which decided to pay me back for any favours in the previous races. Despite the tricky conditions, Nick got it right and won from David Sayce. I cannot remember where I came. The sail  back was not much fun either.
Congratulations to Nick for an impressive hat trick and a big thanks to the race officer and his team for three well run races Finally, while I know not everyone will agree, it was great to be out in the bay for  some proper sea sailing.
Overall Results. Congratulations to Nick on his spectacular winning of the 2nd Pennant Series and the Gerald Bell Trophy! David Sayce was second followed by Tim, David Moseley and Greg Swift.
Toe in the Water Pursuit Race. About 8 Solos finished in this race with Nick leading them in 8th place

Weekend April 25th -26th  GLYN CHARLES AND 6th POINTS SERIES
SATURDAY
Rain was threatened but it did in fact blow 20 - 25 Knots so only 5 Solos ventured out for the Glyn Charles, with Nick making it to 49th and Mark Allerston and Ted hanging on to 58th and 67th places respectively.

Picture sent in by Rob E
who couldn’t miss the
rare chance to record
Barry in front of Nick!
Rounding Sandy

SUNDAY   Report from Tim: A southerly force 3 and bright sunshine greeted a fleet of 25 Solo’s.  An excellent course on the top of the tide provided the conditions for a great sail.  The first leg was a beat from north of North Pilsey to Sandy against a strong flood tide.  Gregg Wells set an excellent line biased to favour the port side at the pin end but with the right hand side of the beat being the favoured route to the first mark, even though it was necessary to cross the adverse tide to the Mengham bank.  Most of the fleet decided on the port end start.  However, Rob Eastwood led off the line at the Committee boat end but Tim managed to get over the top of him and to the Mengham bank first.  Interestingly, David Sayce, the leading boat from the port end of the line, arrived at the bank to windward and only half a boat length behind Tim.  There were some subtle shifts and tidal eddies on the approach to Sandy which enabled the leaders to open a gap.  At Sandy it was Tim from David and Tony Catchpole (?).  After a reach to Runway there was a beat to Dunes.  Tim was lifted out of Runway and then picked up header that gave him a nice gap by Dunes.  The next legs were a reach to S W Pilsey and a run to an inflatable leeward mark.  Tim was lifted out of the leeward mark towards the gate, but into the adverse tide.  David, in second place had the same wind and Tony, in third, tacked at the mark into slacker waters.  Tony’s manoeuvre enabled him to pass David by the gate and close on Tim.  Tim still led at Sandy from Tony and David with Dave Saunders fourth.  Tim managed to extend his lead by the start of the final reach from Gardner to the inflatable.  Tony and David S had a battle for second place down the reach but Tony held on to take second with David a close third.   Jerry Hack was was fourth.
and Ken Tomlins 5th.
Trevor remarked that his boat was going like a dog and possibly George’s was of the other gender, or did he make up some space after the first lap? - and Rob E retired! Are the new boats taking a bit of  tweaking?
PS Comment from Rob E. There is nothing wrong with my nice new boat  - it just needs a nice new helm - or, at least, one that does not eat stupid pills just before the race!
Overall:- Nick, David S, Tony, Chris, Jerry

Weekend April 17th - 18th.   5th POINTS SERIES
Bit more wind this weekend although from the NE and very cold, although accompanied by brilliant sunshine. The winners have very kindly sent in their accounts:-
SATURDAY. From Rob H:-   18 Solos set off in a light and patchy north-easterly on a course set by race officer Tim Randall, which took us to Astra, Dunes and then a tour of Gardner, Freddie Brooks, Sandy and  Runway.  After a shifty beat with much place changing, made all the more interesting by our friends from Itchenor laying their start line just to leeward of the first mark, Chris Powles led round Astra, followed by Ian Barnett (who was guesting with us in his new boat), David Sayce, Dave Moody and Dave Saunders, Barry, Tony , and Keith , with Rob H bringing up the rear of this leading group.  Cliff  led the second group.  After Gardner, Tony  and Barry  mistakenly headed for Sandy while the rest of us went, correctly, to Freddie Brooks - and lost places.  By Sandy, Chris still led (accompanied by Ian B), with David S, Rob H and Dave S in pursuit.  As the wind went light, David S, Rob H and Chris pulled away from the fleet and that was the order as they rounded Sandy close together for the last time, towards a shortened course finish at Runway.  Rob H picked up the breeze just ahead of Chris and stretched ahead and ,with David S obligingly overstanding  the finish line, went on to steal the win.  Finishing order: Rob H, David S, Chris, Barry, Dave Saunders
Overall results:- Nick, Barry, Rob H, Chris, Ted
SUNDAY.  From Nick:- There was a cool, shifty north easterly with a strength of 14 to 20 knots - according to Cambermet which was in the race area. Tim was race officer and started us down by East Head. The course was a couple of laps of windward - leeward before a tour of ‘Known Space’ by the club and then a reach back for a final windward - leeward.
I led at Astra and also for the first lap, with David Sayce and Mark Allerston just behind. On the second lap a big veer saw the fleet turn inside out .Tony grabbed the lead which he extended down the runny leg to Dunes before encountering a senior moment and enjoying a less than direct route to Gardner. I was behind, with Chris Powles in third. Then down to Sandy for a tricky little beat in lighter winds and tide. I stuck close to Tony ( always wise in these circumstances) and narrowly survived an attack by kamikaze laser radials before the reach back to East Head. That was a good ‘vang on- clew off - legs straight’ blast across the harbour - no tactics required.
I was back in front for the last lap and won, with Tony second and Peter Hickson coming through for third.
Overall - not available yet
Previous Thursday - 11 Solos went out to sea in glorious conditions and sailed as far as Langstone entrance before returning

Easter Weekend April 11th - 12th.   1st PENNANT SERIES.  Flag Officer Anthony Penfold did a good job over this Easter weekend except for  his dismal failure to supply any wind.
SATURDAY  - Straight down drizzle, so no racing - although at least 2 dozen Solos were ready to go - including Sarah who had deployed the babysitter/gardener for the first time this year.
SUNDAY  and a fickle Northerly wind rose slightly and then went again.  The first race was started near Freddie Brooks,  progressed slowly via Channel and then finished at  Freddie Brooks,  On the  run back , those that stayed in the adverse flood (!) had more wind than those who opted for the Thorney shore and there was much place changing. Chris Powles just pipped Nick who was followed by Ted and then Robin, in his newer, obviously much lighter, yellow boat, and then Peter Way out for his 2nd race in a Solo.. About half of the fleet decided - probably wisely - to come home and the second race managed the same half a lap before the RO, again, finished them part way down the first run. Peter Best won his second race! - so he didn’t have to wait another 6 years -  followed, just, by Nick, Keith, David Moody (back from overseas) and Robin.
Overall - Nick, Chris, Peter B, Ted and Robin. George, who has sold his boat and is expecting the arrival of his new one in a couple of weeks (5004!), was 7th in David Sayce’s boat, still trying out the  new Hyde sail.        
23 boats did not really enjoy a  very inauspicious weekend, windwise but the attentions of our Chief, and Assistant Chief, Trolley Dollies, Frances and Julia, were much appreciated.

Weekend April 4th - 5th.    4th POINTS SERIES
SATURDAY  No water and not a lot of wind from the SW so the RO decided to go out. It took ages to get to the start line beating around the corner towards Bay and there was less wind than in the harbour. A few boats were put off by the thought of going outside but 18 undaunted started.
From David Sayce:-As befits the most competitive class on the water, only the Solos merited a general recall. This gave them the opportunity to study the starting tactics of all the other classes. Unfortunately the wind strength and direction had altered considerably by the time we got away. Having made a truly dreadful start, I had no alternative but to tack off behind most of the fleet and take the starboard side of the beat, which always looked favourable. When I eventually tacked on to starboard only Dave Saunders was ahead although Tony Catchpole was close behind. After a few short tacks close to the windward mark I managed to get the lead, which I stretched a little on the first reach while Tony moved up to second.
As the wind continued to veer, the second beat became quite one-sided and resulted in both Tony and me overstanding the windward mark while Nick Rawlings and George Gyngell who tacked sensibly early took large chunks out of the leaders. At the windward mark I remained four or five boats' length ahead of Tony who was by then a little farther ahead of Nick. On the run the increasing wind allowed me to practise sailing around the modest waves at wild angles and dangerous angles of heel which no doubt would have been greatly appreciated by any spectators, had there been any. I found it only mildly irritating that Tony managed to close the gap by sitting still and pointing his boat at the leeward mark.
As the fleet telescoped in the increasing breeze it was a relief to see the shortened course signal, even if the precise method of finishing remained unclear until well after the race.
David Sayce won followed by Tony and then Nick. Our new member, Dave Saunders, was 4th and the latest recruit from the 15s, Mark Allerston, was 5th
Overall - Nick, Barry, Ted, Bill I, George
SUNDAY - From Peter Best
HW 08:57 Wind ESE 10-14 knots easing, Start, N Pilsey area, first mark Easthead.
“Nil desperandum” all fellow Soloists -  it has only taken me 6 years to win a race, I've not even been close before. As I had won, Jane asked me to draft a few notes, placing me in unknown territory, but here goes. The favoured end for the start was the pin; I took the opposite view and tacked onto port on passing the committee boat staying in the tide. Back onto starboard once in line with Freddie Brooks, arriving at Easthead first, followed by Bill Ingram  - both of us well ahead of the rest of the fleet. I lost a good 20 boat lengths lead to B.I on the leg to Astra (as I was unsure where Astra was). During the return leg to Dunes, the main body of the fleet appeared to be closing and at this point I felt it was only a matter of time before I would be overhauled. But my luck held out and I followed B.I round Dunes then round Channel. On the final beat to Freddie Brooks I managed to nose ahead of B.I ,crossing the shortened course first.
Now, with my track record, I will expect another win around 2015, or did my new sail really work
Next placing were:- Tony, Anthony P, Chris Powles
Overall - Nick, Chris Powles, Bill I, Tony, Keith
Previous Tuesday, -Jane and Barry finished laying, and tethering below the water line, the rest of the wooden ramp. Seems to be OK so far. Barry and Ted also Bobcatted away tons of sand from the entrances

Weekend March 28th - 29th.    3rd POINTS SERIES
SATURDAY the wind was rather strong - varying between 35 and 5 knots which put off everyone except Nick, Barry and Ted. Unhappily for Ted, the 5 knots occurred as he was trying to round Sandy in an adverse tide He didn’t make it and went home in disgust! The overall finishing order is the same as above
SUNDAY was a bit different with 2 knots very gradually building to about 8 and the wind veering steadily during the race from S to SW. Whilst waiting around, the fleet were surprised to welcome a  completely new member to the Club, one Dave Sanders from Papercourt, sailing 4679 - come to try some sea sailing.
Rob E very kindly sent in the following report on the race:-
After a postponement of  an hour and a half, we finally drifted sideways on the tide to the committee boat in, frankly, unpromising conditions. 18 boats signed on, and perhaps half a dozen others either couldn't wait or thought it wasn't worth it, but by the time we started we had a pleasant little breeze. The first beat had a gradual right shift which meant those on the left could find themselves on the wrong side of it, while Tony C said those on the right found too much tide. Rob E tacked to the right about half way up the beat to keep on the right side of the shift, and rounded the windward mark a couple of boat lengths clear of Tim, but touched it with his boom and had to do a turn, giving Tim (who was still ‘trying out’ Barry’s very old North sail) a lead that he was not going to give up. There were plenty of opportunities for going slow, and on the second triangle Rob E got in amongst some 700's and Merlins and let David Sayce and Nick catch up. At one point it looked like David would take second until he too had a slow patch and dropped back enough to let Nick past. The last couple of beats had enough breeze to allow us to sit out hard at times and although the beats became very one sided due to the right shift, we actually had quite an enjoyable sail. Finishing order remained Tim, Rob E, Nick, David, and Chris Powles, with another  tightly packed and close fought group behind.
The overall results after this race are:- Nick, David, Rob H, George and Rob E.

Weekend March 21st - 22nd. 2nd POINTS SERIES
SATURDAY A lovely sunny day and a fair sea breeze had set in by the time that the RO - Chris Powles - set the course. This nice breeze however, dropped and went back to the N during the race which allowed a few place changes. Final placings were - Nick, Rob Hack, Barry, Greg Swift amd Keith.
SUNDAY More sun and the wind went, obligingly at 11.00 am, from the North and quivered in the NW. Robert had a good lead on round one but was out-shifted on the second beat. Nick had been well back at first mark; with nowhere to go at the pin end of the start line, he had had to gybe around. It was a slightly odd course with a half mile reach from the leeward mark Sandy, round the end of the Winner bank against the tide, and then  back to the CB gate near Dunes
Chris has taken some pictures from the CB. David Sayce is trying out a new Hyde sail and Trevor was out in the the nearly newest boat on the block

On the previous Tuesday, Jane and Barry with the help of the Bobcat, dug up all the remaining buried chains and on
Thursday - a Solo gang turned out and the old road roll was laid with a roll of green matting alongside. Jane was requested to lay a few more rolls of the new wooden ramps while everyone else went out to sea. There is a problem with this ramp at the moment as the beach at the end of it plunges at an incline of 1 in 2 into the water!

Weekend March 15th -16th 1st POINTS SERIES
SATURDAY Quite a nice day but gusting 15 + which put off a few who thought better of it for a first outing. Still there were 8 Solos on the start at Gardener - but only three other boats.  First mark was N Pilsey and Barry was 1st with Rob Eastwood,in his new Mint Green Beanie - 4997! just failing to get an overlap and hitting the mark. The resultant turn put him back for a short time only and the first 5 boats tussled the whole way round with lots of place changing The eventual lineup was George, Chris Powles, Barry, Rob E and Nick.
Rob E said this is why he had to get back into Solos - great close racing
SUNDAY and the sun and a NW 10 knots enticed out 16 Solos (Still more that the rest of the Club put together) to battle with the strong tide. Zyg was trying out his new hip and a new member, Greg Swift,  was doing quite well in Trevor’s old boat. Trevor’s new boat, 4996, was still on the beach with Trevor and his flu. The course was the same  as yesterday with the first mark of N Pilsey.  The first lap had Nick leading, followed by Rob Hack and Barry but unhappily, on the second lap, the wind wound round to the SW and those who had started well but went well right to keep out of the tide ended up last! Finishing order was Nick, Rob H, Keith, George and Chris Powles
On the previous Thursday, Barry, Jane and Ted  laid a lot of the new wooden roll ramp but eventually ran out of chain. which now has to be dug out before anymore can be laid. The same problem applies to the West matting where it is shortly hoped to continue the ramp with the old road roll  but the chain is about 3ft down!
Jane also finished laying the black interlocking matting behind the last row of Solos starting with Mark Allerston’s boat. This stuff is rather fragile and if moved roughly will loose its lugs.

March 8th  OPENING HANDICAP
Standard weather - 25 knots rising to 40 by lunchtime!  but quite a few entries considering. Two Solos went out with quite a few left dithering on the shore and then watching from the bar. Barry, fairly wisely,  gave up after one lap, but Nick continued and, despite falling in, ended up 2nd overall to the Merlin and followed by a Feva