And now the wind has gone away, although the sun is lovely.

For the race on Saturday, Tim Randall (race officer) took the fleet out to Hayling Bay east. The breeze was from the south and fairly steady, but the tide was ebbing from the harbour, going south. 24 solos started the race after one general recall. Ian Pinnell, in a new boat just measured the night before, soon took the lead and proceeded to sail away from the rest of the fleet to be at least half a leg ahead by the end of the race. Stuart Godwin missed the gate at the end of one of the laps, leaving Nick Peters to take second away from Greg Lamb and Chris Powles, both of whom had held second for a bit.

It was obvious on Sunday that things were not going to be straight forward. The tide was exiting the harbour at speed, the wind was from the north-east and it was hot! Tim decided that it was too unpredictable to go out into the bay, never mind the tennis. He got the fleet, now up to 26, away on a harbour course in the light breeze that might die at any moment. The fleet slowly rounded the course with trouble at some marks as those behind caught up with becalmed boats ahead. No problems for Ian P who clocked up another win with Stuart Godwin second and Nick Peters third. A number of sailors decided they had done enough drifting and did not stay for the last race which Tim managed to get away on the same course. Some took so long to get to the windward mark that the leaders were round the gybe mark before they made it. Then the sea breeze arrived! Ross Harvey finished first from Greg Lamb.

At last a decent weekend that enabled all the fleet to get out. A close reaching start in tricky tide conditions was a challenge for the fleet but after one general recall we got away. More cross tide on the first mark, SW Pilsey, also caught some out. However Ian Pinnell was soon well clear with Chris Powles in pursuit. There was a sort of beat back from Channel, pinch against the tide or foot off and have to tack. New fleet member Ben Swann was having a good day up there with the leaders as was Dave Moody in his new ship. The run down to East Head was Ian's undoing as he was seen approaching the mark on a beat instead of the run; the penalty for getting to big a lead. Chris was now the clear leader from Greg Lamb, with Ian third and Nick Rawlings up to fourth.

Tim reports that on Sunday the Race Officer laid a perfect low tide windward/leeward course off the Club.  With 26 solos on the line with the forthcoming Championship on their minds, the first start was recalled and the line re-laid for the Solos after the others fleets had gone.  On the gun Tim Randall tacked immediately for the Winner bank and took the windward running swell to establish a good lead by the windward mark tucked close in under the Club.  David Mitchell was second around and these two had the battle for first.  Tim stayed ahead as the wind switched just before the finish.  With David crossing in second Pete Mitchell, Ian Pinnell and David Mcgregor were the next to finish, followed by Nick Rawlings and then new to the fleet a youthful Sam Mettam finishing strongly in seventh.

Another really windy Saturday and no-one thought about going out.

Sunday was a bit better, just. The wind was never below 20 knots, gusting 25 and made it to thirty knots at times. Only 5 intrepid Solo Sailors took to the water. As they reached towards Sandy for the first time Nick Rawlings was leading from David McGregor, followed by Andrew Voysey. By the windward mark David was through Nick and the fun of the run begun. It is unclear what happened on the run to the sailors and watchers alike!; however Andrew appeared next in the lead. However once again by the windward mark, David’s weight powered him through. Robin, fortunately still in his old boat, drove himself to near exhaustion with many a swim.

With gusts on Saturday of over 35 knots, quite a few Solos turned up to view the scence but none showed any inclination to go out. The race was postponed so we had 3 races on Sunday.

Conditions were entirely different and the course was set in Hayling bay East. The light southwesterly breeze was very light at times with shifts and holes to keep everyone concentrating. We had a couple of visitors join us for the first two races, but the presence of Charlie Cumbley did not deter Stuart Godwin from taking first spot with Pete Mitchell second in the first race. Nick Peters was out for Race 2 and 3, both of which he won. Stuart has a second in Race 2 but did not compete in race 3.

With 26 HISC Solos on the water plus the two visitors, this was a days racing to be remembered. Another Pennant win for Nick Peters

In was good to see Nick Peters back in action in his solo on Saturday. However the wind was still blustering from the northeast and the fleet turnout left many ashore. Simon Childs rounded the windward mark in th lead, but as soon as the first broad reach started, Nick was straight past him and was then never challenged through the short race. Chris Powles made steady progress through the fleet to finish third.

On Sunday the conditions were much the same and 7 HISC solos took part in the Mengeham Rythe Rowans Charity Slow Handicap fleet. Nick Rawlins took th lead at the windward mark, but Robin Gadd, trying out a Pinnell boat, came through to the lead after the two reaches. Nick powered up for the beat and was back in the lead for the remaining laps until the journey back to Mengeham club line. Surely he knows the route by now! Nick missed the double cross letting Jerome Bakker through to be first Solo home.

In contrast with recent years we had great weather for our two day open meeting. However the blustery northerlies made for difficult sailing, particularly on Saturday when it was blowing over 20 knots one minute and then the fleet was wallowing the next. As for all those shifts! On Sunday, when checking out the start, the windward mark could be laid on port. Checking again a bit later it could be laid on starboard!

We had a great entry of 56 boats over the weekend, 26 of them being club members. Many of the stars of the national Solo scene were present, with Matt Howard,  Charlie Cumbley, Tim Law and Michael Sims all in action. HISC boats, performed well particularly the younger element. Ross Harvey was always up with the leaders and finished third overall (nearly second!). Pete Mitchell was sixth and Stuart Godwin ninth. It was great to see Geoff Carveth back in a Solo finishing seventh just ahead of Ian Pinnell in eighth.

Everything looks set up for a great Nationals next month. Surely the home fleet can win some trophies!

At last a decent weekend and a bank holiday too! First off we had the first of our four race sprint series on Saturday morning. Nick Rawlings and Cliff Wiles were ready to crack off the first race at 1100, the course have been set by Paul Carpenter. The wind was light, from the north and very shifty. David Sayce won the first race from Sarah Mitchell and David Moseley. By race 2, Ross Harvey and David McGregor had joined the event and things were hotting up. Ross won races 2 and 3 while David S had a second and a third, Sarah a fifth and second and David McG clocked up two fourths. The final race was the decider. David S was clear by the windward mark and held the first slot to the finish and thus win the sprint series from Ross second and Sarah third.
Many thanks to Nick and team for giving up their sailing and running a great event that was much enjoyed by the 18 Solos that took part. The next Sprint Series is on 22 June.

The morning event finished just in time for a number of the participants to sail straight to the next committee boat for the Saturday Series start. Here they were joined by Ian Pinnell and others who had not been able to sail in the morning. Wind and current were not so kind. By the time those who had come ashore from the Sprint series had a chance to look, Ross and David S were just finishing on a shortened course while the rest, including visitor Charlie Cumley, were caught on the ebb near Dunes and some were disappearing fast. A few more eventually finished, some just made it to the club shore and had quite a walk, while Frank towed back at least two.

Sunday was another sunny day with a good breeze from the west and a start courtesy MRSC at 1200. Unfortunately the wind died just at the start then backed 30 degrees. This muddled the fleet up quire a bit but there was plenty of opportunity over the 3 laps to sort things out. Ross Harvey once again mastered the conditions to win from Chris Powles. Rob Hack seems to have sorted out his new boat at last to take third, while Dave Sanders change of mast got him up to fourth. Good news, we have another lady in the fleet. A warm welcome to Brenda Hoult who was one of the 18 Solos that enjoyed the outing.

Lighter winds this weekend with occasional sunshine, but the air was still cold unless the sun burned through. Chris Powles made the most of the conditions to record a win on both days. We also had general recalls on both days.

After a recall, postponement and a shift of course, the race finally got underway on Saturday. The beat was still very onesided against the flood to Sandy. There was a narrow track to be found which allowed for a lee bow against the current before being blanketed under the club when trying to round Sandy. Those that did not pick the track were out of the race. Why do RO’s continue to use Sandy under these conditions? An inflatable would have let the RO get out of his problems and enabled us to have a much better race. Chris found the right track on the first beat and there was much place changing on the second beat by those who found the magic route including Sarah Mitchell who came from nowhere to second. However by the finish, Robert Hack was through to second and Nick Peters third.

On Sunday the wind was round to the NE, so the start was at Dunes with a great beat up the harbour. The start line was short and crowded for the 18 Solos. Once again finding the lifts off the Thorney shore proved to be the key. Jerome Bakker had an early lead, but once again the day belonged to Chris Powles and he was soon past. Next there were runs and reaches all the way back up the harbour, round the sand banks and back to the gate near Dunes where we were amazed to find the course shortened after just one lap.

Saturday was the Glynn Charles Pursuit Race. Unfortunately the weather was poor with winds gusting over 25 knots at the start with promise of more to come. Solo sailors were very scare on the ground and it was only Nick Peters who sailed the course to finish 9th out of the 24 finishers.

On Sunday the weather was a bit better, but still plenty of wind from the west. There were some big shifts up the first beat that caught some out. Not so for Jerome Bakker who rounded the first mark in the lead and held the top spot until the finish. The second beat from Ellanore against the tide, through the gate and on to the windward mark near Freddie Brooks required much work. Just after the gate the forestay on James Gaskell’s boat broke causing a retirement. Once again the change in start time on a Sunday caught out many of the fleet.

Well what do you expect for a Bank Holiday weekend. After several days of splendid weather, Saturday dawned with grey skies threatening rain. The wind, at Camber, was blowing 20 to 25 knots and kept it up all afternoon. The start was delayed until 3.00 to see what the wind would do, but the Solo fleet slowly leaked away. In the end our turnout was very poor compared to other fleets, the sun did come out, and the two that went out had a great sail.
Nick Rawlings and Greg Lamb had a great race with the lead swooping between them. Starting beyond East Head they worked their way up wind and arrived at the visitors mooring with very little between them. Nick lead the way down the reaches past N Pilsey and back, before running down the harbour again. At the lee mark Greg was back in the lead before the long slog back to windward began. As they arrived at the windward mark, the course was shortened and Nick’s extra weight had enabled him to get back past Greg.
Sunday was a different day altogether. The wind was down to a light southerly and the sun soon came out. 18 Solos set out to enjoy the conditions in Hayling Bay E. Greg showed a determination to win the trophy by taking an early lead and holding off challenges from Chris Powles and Ross Harvey. The light wind had calm patches and noticeable shifts making the beats interesting and the off wind legs frustrating at times as the boats behind always seem to have a better breeze. Greg won the race, while yesterday's winner Nick. was in the middle of the fleet having chosen a poor course for the first beat. The breeze had picked up a little by the start of the second race. Nick was in the lead again at the first mark closely followed by Greg. The fight for the trophy was on. Greg bettered Nick at times, but as the three laps unfolded, Stuart Godwin sailed past the pair to take first place. Meanwhile Ross, who had been late returning for the start, was sailing all the way through the fleet to finish third. So Nick finished second and Greg, following a diversion with an RS200 had to settle for fourth. The final result calculation brought all the rules into play to break the tie in Nick's favour.

After a bit of warmth, the weather was cold again this weekend and all the clothing layers were once again dug out.

A strong and blustery northerly augmented the cold on Saturday and a number of covers stayed on in the park. Nevertheless 10 Solos took to the water. Ominous black clouds built up during the count down to the start and the wind picked up strongly as the fleet started on the first beat. The downwind leg was a slalom with 3 gybes. Some of the fleet could not spot SW Pilsey amid the waves, while others found bearing off and getting down wind enough of a challenge, let alone all those gybes. Anyway at the end of the slalom three boats rounded Smithy together, Nick Peters just leading from Ross Harvey and David McGregor. By the end of the next loop the order had reversed with David in the lead from Ross. On the next beat David had over-stood the gate and lost the lead. As the three raced on Ross took his turn in the lead but the other two snapped at his heels. By the finish Nick was back in the lead from Ross and David. Behind them there were lots of incidents. Four boats entered the gybe at SW Pilsey together, but only two, Nick Rawlins (having already completed some 3 penalty turns) and Shaun Clatworthy came out upright, Greg Lamb and Steve Chiverton took a swim. in the end there were 7 finishers.

Sunday was one of those days when the start was delayed for an hour, although many forgot. The wind was somewhere between South and West with the race officer tearing up his course sheets as he tried to get it right. Eventually we started with a tricky beat against the tide from Stocker Lake to near Calvert against the flood. Four boats picked the best route up the beat and rounded well clear of the rest of the 15 strong fleet. Two long reaches followed to Channel and then to Dunes, before a sausage and another triangle, giving a race lasting the best part of two hours. Greg Lamb had rounded the first mark  in the lead ahead of Ross Harvey and these two slogged it out for the entire race with Ross being the eventually winner. Jerome Bakker followed them around observing their moves but well clear of the remainder of the fleet. The windward mark was too close to the club house for some and 4 dropped out of the long race.

What a great weekend’s racing, definitely the best of the season so far, The wind was around south west on both days blowing a modest 6 to 10 knots on Saturday for a race in the harbour. and 10 to 15 knots on Sunday when the racing was out in Hayling Bay east.

The first mark on Saturday was Calvert with Nick Peters rounding just ahead of David Sayce, while Chris Powles worked the Hayling shore before crossing the tide to round third. Reaches followed to Gardner and back to SW Pilsey and a run past the CB near N Pilsey. All the time David was on Nick’s transom but could not get past. These two seemed to be joined by elastic as they sailed the next beat and run. As they approached the leeward mark they were well off of course and Chris wondered if they had forgotten him in third. In the end they ceased their scrap to hold their positions to the finish. Nick Rawlings came out best of the following pack and Barry B followed in fifth. 18 starters and 18 finishers.

On Sunday we 15 starters and 15 finishers, but out in the bay. The wind shifted 30 degrees just before the start, and after the postponement the fleet was too keen to be away on the strongly port bias line, hence our first general recall of the year. Off at last, the fleet enjoyed the great conditions. Nick Peters once again, rounded the windward mark in the lead closely followed by Steve Chiverton with Barry B a bit behind. The reaches were broad but the waves made them interesting. The leading pair pulled away from the pack despite the constant challenges from Steve. It was on the second triangle that the drama took place. Steve had finally managed to pass Nick but was under pressure. So he tried too hard working the waves and CAPSISED! Nick sailed on to win the race while Steve quickly recovered to finish second. Nick Rawlings had worked his way up to third ahead of Chris Powles in fourth.

The weather on Saturday was, once again, far from inducive for sailing. The wind was 20 knots from the south east with challenging gusts, the rain poured down and visibility was terrible. However 7 Solos went onto the water to start but two did not make it across the start line. A short beat from the club line to Calvert gave Nicks Peters and Rawlings and David McGregor a chance to show their paces to the rest of the fleet huddled in the bar. On the run back to SW Pilsey, David timed his gybe to perfection and immediately accelerated into the lead. After a close fetch to Pivot and a beat to Dunes he was well clear of the two Nicks. (The bar watchers could see little of this through the pouring rain). David held his lead for the two laps while the Nicks battled it out. Nick P end second from Nick R while Nick Webb also sailed a steady race to finish in style.

The start of racing was delayed for two hours on Sunday so that there was more water in the harbour. The tide was still flooding hard at the start at N Pilsey with a beat to Sandy. This meant there was only one way to go which mean’t the beat was without tactical interest. Having said that, Robin Gadd did try the alternative route, but arrived at Sandy by the time the leaders were finishing the first lap. Ian Barnett had sailed up from CYC to race and the practice had set him up for the start. He was first to reach the Hayling shore after the beat was was two hundred yards clear as he approached Sandy. Rounding Sandy against the tide in the lee of the club proved to be the usual lottery, (why do we do it?). Nick Peters had caught Ian as they eventually rounded and there were many other place changes as the fleet struggled to round amongst boats such as Int 14’s  Anyway, Nick was able to hold off Ian for the two laps to the shorten finish and Tim Randall worked up to third ahead of Nick Rawlings and Andrew Voysey.

At last we had a weekend that was not freezing cold. The wind was still from the East, at least most of the time, with big variations on both days.
Saturday was a real roller coaster with a start at Dunes and a beat to Thorney. 17 Solos were out to enjoy the improved conditions. The leaders overstood and played catch up as the fleet rounded Ellanore and ran back to near Dunes. Now the wind completely died away before flicking back from somewhere southerly. The leaders drifted round the mark and began to go back to Thorney. The pack were now beating to round the leeward mark and eventually began to chase the leaders who they could not even see. Now some of the tail enders made their move stealing up the East Head shore in the new breeze. The drift towards Thorney continued and it was Nick Peters who was just out in front of the pack. David Moseley just made his inside overlap at the mark. It was now a tight fetch back towards Dunes and the finish. Nick kept the lead in the, now, reasonably steady wind and Greg Swift followed David M home in third.
There was another good turnout on Sunday with 17 again competing on the line. Nick Peters and Steve Chiverton were immediately in the lead on the tricky beat from N Pilsey to Gardner. For four 4 laps, these two pulled further away from the rest of the fleet although Steve could not get close enough to Nick to challenge him. David Sayce, yes a new boat, sucumbed to the ‘Cumbley’ factor, forgetting to release his kicking strap before tacking. Tim Randall, reveling in the tricky conditions made it up to third, while Nick Rawlings settled for fourth. Robert Hack was also out in his new boat, but had failed to learn which bit of string pulled down his centre-board before reaching the leeward mark.

The Vice Commodore’s Trophy handicap was held on Friday. 4 Solos were out in the 13 boat fleet. First place was Nick Peters with Ross Harvey third; a good day for Solos.

A cold 10-15 knot north easter greeted the 8 Soloists for the first day of the Easter Pennant on Saturday, but once the race was away it didn't seem that cold! The HISC Solo Youth Squad were out en masse but it was the experienced Nick P. who nailed the favoured pin end to lead up the first beat to Pivot. As we approached Pivot there was a lot of overstanding going on from the majority on the port tack approach but this didn't stop Nick rounding first followed in quick succession by Ross, Stuart Godwin, Pete Mitchell, Greg L, Ian B., Shaun and Trevor C.
A reach now over to Mill Rythe and the first 4 went high with Nick gamely hanging on in front. Greg and Ian were able to sail lower and make up some ground. Gybe at Mill Rythe and another reach down to Sandy and some nice wavelets to plane off. By Sandy the front 5 had compressed to within a few boat lengths with Greg L and Shaun a short way back.
Round Sandy and there was now a lovely long beat up to Pivot with enough shifts to make life interesting. Stuart G. sailed a blinder to round first followed closely by 4 more. On the run down to Sandy now, Stuart maybe finding his 90 kilos plus a slight disadvantage here as Ross played the waves to best effect to take the lead, Pete and Nick neck and neck, Stuart then Ian just behind. Greg and Shaun were enjoying what was to be a race long tussle and Trevor to follow.
The final beat up to Pivot and the Youth Squad nailed the top end of the beat – Ross still leading - to pull clear of Nick and Ian. The final two reaches to a club line finish and the Youth Squad took 1,2,3 with Nick holding off Ian by a few boat lengths and then Greg and Shaun – fast upwind but not happy downwind - and Trevor. Some great racing today in what promises to be a fantastic season of club racing. (Report thanks to Ian Barnett)

Nick Rawlings reports that on Sunday a feature of the day was the variety of wind directions on offer at any one time.We had 135 on the box ; Zeb in Lady G ( doing starts) had 110 and the sailing wind for the competotors was 95..all explicable if you do the maths and factor in the tide but quite strange if you are trying run races , or compete in them.
So race 1 started with a big port hand bias , all boats tacking on the gun. A short race , Pete Mitchell should have won but stopped short of the finish line after Sandy , gifting the race ( and the weekend it transpired ) to Nick Peters with Ross Harvey in second. Pete recovered to get third.
Having stretched out the beat ; race 2 was a bit longer.Chris Powles was in the lead in his new boat, tastefully colourful and named "Black Flag Cannon Fodder" I believe. Ted was in second following a major shift with the race team declining the opportunity to abandon the race and doing it again. well it is a club race. Stuart Godwin Jnr was in third , and he pulled through to win when Chris took "Black Flag Cannon Fodder" for it's bouyancy test.. Nick was second and Ross third.

That gave Nick P the weekend from Ross and Stuart , with Pete promising to read the course next time.

We had an awful weekend with bitterly cold northeasterlies on both days. Only the foolhardy or totally bad ventured out.

On Saturday it was Nick Rawlings and Nick Webb who followed up from last weekend and completed the course.

On Sunday is was colder and windier. Surprisingly Nick R was only to be seen tucked into the bar, still looking cold. Jerome Bakker and Robin Gadd ventured out. The balcony watchers held their breadth as Robin made a number of maneuvers to round Sandy to finish. His final gybe looked like being his un-doing but somehow he got out of it.

Well done the four of you for going out.

The wind blew, the rain lashed down but this did not stop Charlie Cumbley starting his training session outside the scrutineering shed in front of a great fleet turnout. Charlie, supported by others from the North team took us through all the aspects of setting up a Solo. A sail was then hoisted in the swirling wind and Charlie took us through every control and how to make best use of it. At last, a full explanation as to how to use an inhaul! While Charlie talked and pulled the strings, Will Loy was all around with his video camera. Will has now produced a couple of great videos, there are links to these from the Members Area of the HISC site.
When the talk had finished, the wind had eased and the rain stopped. Despite the cold, 10+ HISC sailors and four from the North team, rigged up and got out there to practice on the water. Afterwards, Charlie gave a debrief in the bar while the sailors warmed up with their soup.
Meanwhile, Nicks Rawlings and Webb, who could not make the training, stormed round the club race.
On Sunday, the weather was again horrid for the Club Race. Nevertheless 8 Solos sailed the race. This was more a test of short tacking skills from Mill Rythe to Sandy than a chance to put into practice all the skills just learnt. Nick Peters took an early lead closely followed by Nick Rawlings, Steve Chiverton starting badly. By the finish Steve was through to second and closing on Nick P who had held the lead throughout. Nick R had spent some time on the mud, so Jerome Bakker was through to third.