Solo NSCA Western Series at Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club - May 24th 2025

At last!... gone are the fickle and variable north easterly winds to be replaced by a punchy and vigorous westerly and anyone that knows a Chew westerly will be grinding their teeth with thoughts about it’s ability to dunk the unsuspecting. 

A small but select group of home and visitor Solo sailors took to the water with a catalogue of moans about bad backs, arthritis, rigging lash ups and deadlines to be home.

Race 1 saw Roger Guess from Salcombe take an early lead while Chris Goldhawk, Chris Meredith and Spod Olive gave chase. Olive broke past Meredith on the 3rd beat but Guess and Goldhawk remained solidly in 1st and 2nd.

The bad backs were taking their toll and John Steels and Julian Smith retired after race 1…. Others still on the water wished for a valid excuse to also leave the field of battle.

Race 2, and the wind had certainly pepped up it’s gusting game. An even line saw a busy 1st windward mark with Goldhawk then Guess then Meredith leading the bunch. The next downwind sausage saw Guess misjudge a gybe and take a swim leaving the final order Goldhawk, Meredith, Olive and Vernon Perkins (he of occasional hiking fame and enjoying the stronger wind). Guess unfortunately left the field with a dislocated shoulder (apparently, not an infrequent event – hope your sorted Roger).

Race 3 and prayers for a shortened course were answered by the God for the Day (Race Officer Andy Jones). Again a clean start and progress to windward in punchy and unpredictable wind was made with Olive, Meredith, Goldhawk and Perkins close together at the windward mark. The order remained static until Meredith went too early at the last jybe and took the swim this let Goldhawk into 2nd and Perkins the hiker into 3rd.

Race 4 and the remaining 6 racers were treated to a somewhat abated wind; still fickle, but certainly less punchy. Meredith decided that he must make up for his swim in the 3rd race and lead from the front…. and remarkably he did. Or was it that Goldhawk, ever the mathematician was happy to sit on Olive and keep him in 3rd place.

Final top 3 positions, Goldhawk, Meredith, Olive.

Thanks to the travellers from South Cerney, Salcombe, Barnt Green, Shustoke and Starcross and also our NSCA Western Series Sponsors P&B and Dinghy Shack. Next Western Series event is 5th/6th June at Torpoint and Porthpean.

Chris Meredith

Chew Valley Lake SC – Rear Commodore

Solo NSCA Western Series at Chew Valley Lake © Vernon Perkins