Solo National Champs starts tomorrow

Solo National Championship Promo

There is no let-up for the poor blighters in Torbados, having just delivered an epic Fireball Worlds, the Royal Torbay Yacht Club is this week hosting the Solo National Championship and with around 80 pre-entries, it should be a marvellous event.

The fleets from north of the border are here with a crack squad, only Charlie Brecknell, who’s van died last week is missing while Stuart Gibson is my pick as their best hope of wrestling the Old Jug away from English domination. More importantly, with a forecast of generally light winds for the four days, Patrick Burns is tipped to complete all ten races.

The Northern fleet are thick in talent but they tend to speak with actions rather than words, Martin Honnor, who had a stand out performance in Quiberon my pick for a surprise podium. Dave Winder is also pretty handy and has just acclimatised to the Torbay weather and tidal patterns after a week of Fireballing so possibly a marker to follow if you have not got a clue, he is in the grey Winder. Special mention to Andrew Wilde who has shown the sort of race craft required to reach the top, possibly podium material right there.

Bryan Moran and Chris Bunn are the chosen Champions of the East, both have shown glimpses of BS (boat speed) and I would not rule out a race win for either of them if they nail the start and sail perfectly while factoring in excellent tactics.

The South has the largest contingent of competitors and HISC in particular has some strong talent with current Nation’s Cup Champion Guy Mayger and recently crowned Nigel Pusinelli winner Alex Butler my stand out picks. That said, if you sail at HISC you are, will be or have been bloody good.

The West have some talent, Steve Roberts tells a good joke and Nigel Bird has a Devonian accent which will fit right in down here but both have the habit of turning success into failure. Still, every dog has his/her day and please prove me wrong guys. Charlie Nunn has acquired Paul Davis’s super quick Boatyard at Beer 5914 while Paul himself will be racing his own build. Could be awkward should Nunn deliver the top ten he has promised. I understand, given the huge high expected over Devon on Friday, the incoming class President has been organising the acquisition of industrial sized fans which are about to be positioned along Goodrington Beach.

The Midlands have more big hitters than the West Indies batting team of the 80’s, Davenport, reigning National Champion, Jamie Cuxsan and former Inland Champion Chris Brown to name just three. Nigel Davies will relish the light forecast and therefore he is in my top twenty.

I have deliberately omitted Salcombe from the Western area, they are pretty much their own principality and like Monaco the parking is diabolical unless you’re second home there has a drive. Their Champion and mine is Tim Law, a beacon of talent, resolve and hunger, yet despite some significant set backs he is still reaching for the glory. Almost wants to make me get winched back into a Solo. Lets not forget Mike Hicks, equally skilled and dare I say better looking, certainly his demeanour is warmer than Law’s ice blue death stare, fortunately there are no gate starts this week Tim!

Yachty (Simon Yates) doesn’t say much but seems to defy the laws of aging, I cannot decide if he is ever youthful or looked old when he was a teenager but his technique is smooth as a hot knife through butter. I great example to the lake sailors here who may think bludgeoning their Solo bows through the sea state is the right way to do it.

Ian McGregor is here and after some signs of improved form at the Pusinelli Trophy will be keen to tear up the course. Fortunately for him the top mark will probably be close to shore so the corner hitter will have to tack at some point or end up on the beach.

There are of course 70 other sailors here this week and everyone has a chance, to beat their friend, to win a race, to win the event but if they can just learn one thing, achieve one goal, however small, it will be a win.

There are two female entries, Maria E Franco is the NSCA Hon. Secretary and she has shown remarkable progress in her boat handling skills while Elaine Turner (NED 673) is no stranger to top ranked events having competed since the early 2000’s. It will be fascinating to see these two battle it out though to be fair, Elaine will be my pick and could sneak a race win!

North Sails have sent the very best to Torbay, Charlie Cumbley, multiple Champion and exceptional ambassador for the company is here. No words needed.

Now I have to mention Vernon Perkins, the Western Area Representative had an unfortunate collision with a central reservation a few weeks ago which smashed up his brand new Winder. Incredibly, Dave Winder was able to squeeze in a new build and Vernon is ready for the event. Sadly, I do believe Mr Perkins suffered some sort of head injury as just today he was shooting his mouth off with claims of incredible speed and improved results. No doubt Davenport and Cumbley will be keeping a close eye on this dark horse.

Andy Hyland's new Davis build.

The South have some solid performers and I do not mean Karaoke. Vice President Paul Davis is in his new build and he took so long to finish it he managed to build a second for Andy Hyland.

Davis had an outstanding 2025, can he emulate it in 26?

Mark Lee and Nigel Thomas are the guys you wheel out when it’s light and you want results so these two are in my top fifteen, no pressure. Richard Goodenough sails out of Lymington who have strength in depth. He won the Inlands in 1985, his bright orange Lovett (Vindaloo) an unforgettable memory, kudos for keeping so fit my friend.

Our Dutch fleet are here with 5 entries and a great effort from Elaine, Jean Smit (629), Edwin Burggraff (677), Robert Wit (6780 and Sijbrand Jongejans, the latter, despite his height is super fast in light conditions.

Jean races the distinctive red Firebird Solo and will be giving Mike Barnes something to worry about in the wooden boat category. Pretty sure I saw Firebird lead a race in Como a few years ago and that is what I love about the Solo, you just need a little luck and skill and before you know it you are mixing with the Nation’s Champions.

The most uplifting thing I have seen here is the youthful element of the competitors, Harry Marlow (4315) along with Cuxsan (5704), Cameron Norris (4448), Sam Bailey (5927), Alec Savitsky (6142) and Winder apprentice Harry Fox are just a few of the new guard who are finding the Solo fleet hard to resist. These are the future.

This Championship is sponsored by P+B and although Tom Lonsdale, one of their established jockey’s is unable to compete due to loft commitments, he did pop down to deliver prizes which will be very warmly welcomed. CB Coverstore are one of our race day sponsors and Chris Brown has promised some boom protectors among other items. Working with Patrick Ward, the team have developed a really cool watch holder which sits within the standard jammer housing, I predict these will sell globally so please tell me you have the copywrite.

I will be providing media while NSCA On-Water-Jury Steve Watson will be officiating and he has been told to be strict with any transgression. I only hope the 4 metre rib we are both on will be equipped with a bucket. Someone once remarked that what was the point of having a jury boat as he never got anyone, my reply, it was because he was there that nobody cheated.

The fleet are ready, Solos lining the breakwater, the breeze is currently from the West and is expected to track South a bit and drop overnight. The 1pm start time should give enough time for the wind to materialise and stabilise before the starting gun.

The club are ready, they were not born ready, years of dedication, practice, behind the scenes effort and more practice has refined the catering and race management to Championship level

Let the games begin.