National Championship Promo

With Additional Raceday Sponsorship from

and the Selden Class Dinner on Tuesday 7pm

The Last Presidents Report from Patrick Burns

I am pleased to report continued growth in the Solo class on various levels during Season 22/23, especially more boats sailing and our Finances in good health. This is evident from the reports tabled for the AGM to be held HISC 7pm Monday 24th July, and Graham our Hon Sec has issued formal Notice of the AGM including a link to attend by Zoom.

On the sailing front, all clubs reported increased racing at local level. Obviously Covid contributed to this, and now increased fuel costs have further re-energized club sailing, which is of course a good thing.

In relation to travelling (and with a view to increasing entries) the Committee agreed to provide each area rep with £500 to be used for free meals and / or reduced entry fees to Area Championships. This appears to have been successful.

We believe keeping the Solo at the front of the dinghy fleet is paramount to maintaining the Class’ pole-position in UK dinghy sailing.

The Committee, together with Will Loy (sporting new Bainbridge foul weather gear ), have invested in new camera / video equipment to showcase the Class and the success of SoloInteractive bears this out .The increased publicity also allows us to thank our Sponsors in jointly promoting the benefits of Solo sailing.

Our second new Winder Southern demo boat was duly presented at the Dinghy Show looking splendid (credit to Dave and Steve for their meticulous preparation and Dinghyshack for providing non slip flooring)) and bedecked in Sponsor’s kit and stickered up accordingly (with thanks to Paul Davis). I was there on both days and with stalwart help from your Committee, I think it is fair to say we had the best Class stand at the Show, which was never without crowds of folk taking an interest and new sales to follow. Will even managed to snag an interview with legend Jim Hunt (see SoloInteractive). There are lots of adverts in SoloInteractive and on the Solo website to chose from, so please continue to support our Sponsors.

Building on that success, a two boat stand is being considered for next year. Keep an eye out for Ginger Boats who have the Rooster and Boatyard at Beer moulds.

Some of you may be reading this at the Selden Solo Nationals (if not before) where circa 100 boats are racing. Given the financial hardships we are living through, this is a remarkable feat. All thanks to the hard work of your Race Committee led by Steve Ede. We truly are becoming an International Class with some 12 boats coming over from Holland for the Nationals, as well as an array of Scottish, English, Irish and Welsh, with numbers also increasing in Portugal and a trickle in France and Italy .Noble Marine (Class Insurer) are providing beers/soft drinks after racing and are keen to further be involved with the Class .

Steve Ede sets up for the gybe at Medemblik

Returning to Club level, congratulations to Lymington Town SC (home of Paul Davis and recent Solo Harken Pusinelli trophy winner Mark Lee) being voted RYA Dinghy Club of the Year, with runners up Brassenthwaite SC and King George SC all centres of solo excellence (Vince Horey KGSC would say that)!

In terms of increased Solo numbers, Torpoint Mosquito SC is up there. Thankfully the mosquito name does not act as a repellent (unlike the Scottish midge!) with so many Solos attending with the enthusiasm. Well done. Northampton (Pitsford) are also flourishing thanks to current Midlands rep Kev Hall who secured the fabulous Allen sponsorship. Kev will be missed greatly when he retires at the EOS. Also thanks to Graham Wilson for proposing the sail flattener (agreed at the last AGM) which is proving popular and keeping boats on the water in blustery conditions. No more chicken gybes!

On the training front, given the success of Oli Davenport (P&B) coaching pre Western and Midland events, we have agreed to repeat the same at at least 4 events next season. Vince Horey will also run 1 or 2 days training. Thanks to Andy Fox for arranging the same with Kev Hall and Vernon Perkins (who has re-introduced Magic Marine to the class )

Chris Brown (CB Coverstores) continues to supply SuperSpar masts (sponsors of the Solo Springs at Brightlingsea) and all things travel related. Thanks Chris.

On the sails front, thanks to both North Sails and HD Sails for providing sails for the demo boats and to Tom Gillard (North)and Andy Davis(HD) for continuing to support the class not forgetting Impact Marine (Andy Tunniclife)for providing demo boat covers and Rich Lovering Hyde for same .

Steve at Goat Marine provides North Super Series prizes and colourful carbon tiller extensions with Charlie Nunn delivering same to Events thanks both.

As outgoing President it only leaves me to say you will be in safe hands with a Committee full of talent and a cool new President . I have spent the last 5 years on the Committee, initially as VP to Doug Latta who instigated the demo boat and kept the Class afloat during Covid. My thanks to all and every Solo sailor whose membership keeps the Class alive.

Finally it beholds me to paraphrase Mr Zimmerman (Dylan) “Gotta Serve Somebody” and if you see me on the water at Hayling just don’t get “Tangled Up In Blue”

That’s all folks. Remember Solos are for life.

Patrick Burns sails off into the sunset

Generously Sponsoring Race Day Wednesday 7pm

“Have a beer at the bar and enjoy some HD Sails action on the

HD Sails

Solo Championship Winning Designs Made By Solo Championship Winning Sailors

Generously Sponsoring Race Day Monday 7pm

“Have a beer at the bar, courtesy of Dave Winder and soak up the AGM.”

COMPETITOR EVENT T SHIRTS

If ever there was a reason to enter this Championship then the event shirt is it. Styled by our event organiser Steve Ede, features include holes for head and arms and the iconic NSCA and title sponsor logo’s. Look cool in the dinghy park, whatever your size.

Tom Gillard is not defending but won the 2022 Nationals with the Selden D+

Competitor Prep and Tips Oliver Davenport

As always I’m looking forward to this years nationals with another great entry list and a great venue.

This year was a bit of a slow start to me after having picked up a back injury at the end of last year meaning I was told not to sail until February, I kicked this off in the RS400 at the Tiger Trophy with fellow Solo sailor Jamie Morgan.

After this I managed to launch my new boat at Northampton at the end of February in preparation for the Winters which were there a couple if weeks later. The Winter Championships was the first event of the year and since then I have concentrated on the Solo events as other events I would have normally done in the Fireball have clashed this year. H

aving had a great start to the Super Series it was great to continue this on to Brightlingsea and Medemblik for the Springs and Nations Cup, after it was Lymington for the Nigel Pusinelli which was a tricky event for me but still an opportunity to get some practice in lighter conditions which I have struggled with in the past. After Lymington it was time for a couple of the Midland Series events to lead me into the Nationals feeling well prepared and hoping for some good racing at Hayling.

As one of the top sailing venues in the UK, Hayling Bay can offer some great sailing conditions, Having done quite a bit of sailing there during my Laser(ILCA) days I always enjoy going back as you can have everything from rolling waves to tricky offshore racing. I look forward to seeing everyone at Hayling.

PROVEN RESULTS.

Generously Sponsoring Race Day Thursday Prize Giving 8pm

“Catch the mast cam action from the P+B boats on the big screen”

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The P&B Sail Loft team have developed + tested these cuts for a number of designs:

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As used by Oli Davenport, Vince Horey + Jamie Morgan in their 2022 campaigns.

Optimum weight 80kg+.

RADIAL AVAILABLE IN FLAT, MEDIUM + FULL CUTS.

#TEAMPB RESULTS WITH RADIAL IN 2021

NIGEL PUSINELLI TROPHY: 1st + 4th.

MIDLAND AREA CHAMPS: 2nd.

SALCOMBE SOLO OPEN: 2nd + 3rd.

HAYLING ISLAND OPEN: 2nd.

SOLO NATIONALS: 4th (with 2 race wins).

SOLO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS’ WEB DISCOUNT FOR 7% OFF * USE CODE SOLO2345

#TEAMPB RESULTS WITH CROSSCUT IN 2022

AREA CHAMPS:

Southern: 1st • Eastern: 1st.

Midland: 1st • Western: 1st.

WINTER CHAMPS: 1st.

INLANDS: 2nd.

END OF SEASONS: 2nd.

SOLO NATIONALS: 4th.

SUPER SERIES: 2nd.

Competitor Prep and Tips Jamie Morgan

For me personally, the prep for the Na2onals started two days a5er Abersoch last year. At 94kg I finally come to the conclusion that I was just too far out of the ballpark to be as quick as I would like, in a range of condi2ons. Having briefly pondered the idea of geGng a phantom, my partner pointed out it may be healthier if I tried geGng fiHer and lose weight to sail a Solo, rather than maintain my lifestyle to stay big enough for a Phantom. I launched into a simple plan of a few ea2ng rules and took every opportunity to either run or cycle, even if that meant no sailing.

By the start of the season, I had managed to get down to my then goal of 82kg and since then I have hovered around there with a brief trip to 84kg when I had a month off exercise prior to the event in holland. Holland was tough with the big Saturday of 4 races in windy condi2ons which forced me into ac2on having ran out of energy in the last race and limped over the line. Since then, I have mostly be doing one of three things in different amounts; I either do 10k runs, turbo trainer sessions on the bike of around an hour and a half to 2 hours or sailing with one rest day per week. None of this is set in stone and is flexible around work, open mee2ngs and my 2-and-a-half-year-old. A typical week is rest day Monday, 10k Tuesday, turbo Wednesday, sail Thursday, run Friday, turbo Saturday and sail Sunday followed by a 10k if it’s been light winds. If I do the ac2vity from home, I also tend to do 100 sit ups a5erwards. In regards to the on the water, I started this year with a new boat which I changed some of the spec so it differed to my last boat, which I think has made some gains. I maybe don’t get as much 2me on the water as people may think, I try and sail Sundays in the club racing and the Thursday night racing is normally done with Anna in our Rs400, so very different to the Solo. The big thing that I think has made the most difference this year has been the camera mounted to the back of my boat. In the early part of this year, I recorded everything I had done, uploaded it to youtube, then Oliver davenport and i tend to watch them back and discuss what we are seeing over the phone in regards to our technique, what we’re doing in the boat and how we could improve this. I think there are a fair few people that think that we train together all the 2me, however in the last 2 years other than open events which we have both entered, we have only actually sailed on the same piece of water as each other 3 2mes and 1 of those was tes2ng different sails. We have found that we can make some significant gains by watching ourselves back and being ultra cri2cal of each other and this in some ways is beHer than just doing more sailing.

Hayling isn’t somewhere I have spent a lot of 2me sailing. I have done two Solo opens there, both fairly early in the year and spent 2 weeks there 9 years ago with the Moth worlds, where we had not much wind and the Moth is a very different boat to the Solo. So I will mostly be reading the guides, talking to people that sail there a bit and keeping half an eye on the locals.

Jamie handling the Medemblik chop, Hayling Bay will hopefully be equally lumpy.

Generously Sponsoring Race Day Monday 8pm with some great prizes.

“Check out the Impact Marine footage on the big screen Monday evening.”

SAILS COVERS RIGGING

Our Sails are designed, developed and tested in-house, to ensure they are compe��ve and at the front of the fleet.

All of our products are me�culously designed by sailors, specifically for your needs. Everything we make is made with the same care and a�en�on to detail, no ma�er how big or small it is.

Andy Tunnicliffe, Impact Marine Ltd, Unit 3/4 Tarnwater, Carnforth, Lancashire, LA5 9RJ.

Andy Tunnicliffe concentrates hard at the Pusinelli Trophy.

He will be racing the new Gingerboats Solo at Hayling and cannot be ruled out to take the title.

Insider Tips on the Venue Courtesy

of the Merlin Rocket Association

Hayling Island’s clubhouse is one of the most impressive dinghy and small keelboat racing venues in the country, there is no problem with boat space and the launching is easy and protected.

Racing Area

The racing area is in the Bay outside the entrance to Chichester Harbour. Leave the beach, turn to starboard and head out down the channel - passing the beacon to starboard, especially at low water springs! The race area is now on your starboard side, head that way and look for the committee boat. The principal area is normally westsouth west of Chichester beacon. Make sure you allow plenty of time when going out to the race area against a flood tide, especially on spring tides. Chichester Harbour is a big piece of water and its all got to get in and out through a narrow channel. The good news is it will take you rather less time if you are going out on the ebb tide. Once you get out there, it is great. This is a superb yachting venue, especially with the onshore winds giving some great waves to play with.

Wind direction

340 - 049 degrees:- Wind from this offshore wind sector is not too bad for shifts, as the land to windward is quite low. That means that the shifts are not that big or frequent; however they are to be had, so know your numbers on the compass, and the high and low headings on both tacks.

040 - 100 degrees:- For the wind, go left up the beat as there is more pressure closer to the shoreline. If the race course is close enough to the shore, you may pick up the header on starboard tack as you go in, with lifts on port along the beach. This is one effect you can check before the start.

100 - 200 degrees:- This is the clear wind sector for the race areanothing to disturb the wind, except the French! The wind is at its most stable in both strength and direction, tide is the major player now.

200 - 250 degrees:- The wind is now coming off the Isle of Wight. In theory, the island will set up a convergence band of stronger wind that will blow downwind towards the race course. This may mean more wind on the right hand side of your course (looking upwind) - but it will depend on exactly where the course is positioned. Certainly, the island will stir up the wind and you can expect it to be more shifty, than when it's blowingfrom the purely onshore direction. You will need to know your numbers on the compass again, as on starboard tack you cannot see France in the background!

250 - 270 degrees:- The wind is now coming to you having been squeezed through the Solent, and is quite stable.

270 degrees:- With the wind parallel to the shoreline, it pays to stay left-of-middle for better breezes, as there will be less wind within half a mile of the shore in the divergence zone.

270 - 340 degrees:- The shifts are back again, now that the wind is coming off the land. Left-of-middle normally pays for the wind as there tends to be slightly less wind near the shore in the divergence zone.

Sea Breeze

A good sea breeze at Hayling provides almost perfect sailing conditions - waves and sunshine, couldn't be better! During your early morning warm-up jog(!) watch out for clear blue sky and a light north-west wind. These are ideal conditions for a sea breeze day. As the cumulus clouds develop over the mainland, the sea breeze fills in close to the shore, as the circulation begins. Then it fills in from seaward at approximately 160 degrees. As the sea breeze fills, it grows in strength and backs slightly, to approximately 150 degrees. The wind will start to veer and follow the sun as the day gets older, fi nishing the day at approximately 240 degrees. In the afternoon, protect the right hand side of the course!

Tide

There is plenty of tide in Hayling Bay, even at neap tides, and you will need to build your race strategy plans around the tidal direction and strength. It is worth buying some charts and obtaining tidal information, you will see that the seabed is very shallow; it's well offshore before it shelves into deeper water. Sometimes the race area straddles that depth change, and it's vital to pin point where it happens. Being the right side will determine whether you will be amongst the chocolates at the windward mark - or not. This is especially true with a cross-shore breeze and a strong flood or ebb tide.

The flood tide flows towards the north-west across the race area, and the ebb tide flows to the south-east. If you are near the main channel going into Chichester Harbour, the tidal direction is more north on the flood, and due south on the ebb. On the tidal change, it rotates in an anti-clockwise direction fairly quickly in the race area. Don't forget to chat to local yachties and fishermen for more detailed info, as you would at any tidal venue.

Class Association Sponsored Reception Sunday 7pm Nibbles, Wine and Beer.

Meet the Committee, gloat about how well you did on Day 1 or reboot for Day 2

Generously Sponsoring Race Day Sunday Prize Giving 8pm.

“Competitors have a chance of winning Aquamarine Jackets and dry bags.”

Competitor Prep and Tips Charlie Cumbley

I’m really looking forward to the upcoming Solo Nationals at HISC. I’ve been sailing on and off at Hayling for 25 years (although a pretty scary thought as I write that � ) and it’s one of my favourite UK venues. A summer sea breeze out in the bay is really hard to beat and well worth a bit of a sail out to enjoy it. Great waves, steady breeze but with enough movement to make gains etc. Once out in the bay the current for the most part is pretty simple and there is usually enough marks in the water in the race area to check it out pre start. Don’t forget your hat and sun cream ready for a glamour week, see you there!

Competitor Prep and Tips Chris Brown

I am obviously looking forward to the Solo 2023 National Championship, it is the biggest regatta of the year.

It's more of a holiday than a serious competition for me. Seeing old friends and having a few drinks with great racing makes it a stellar event.

Hayling can be the best sailing around if the wind is blowing the right way with big waves. I have only experienced this once and it was the best.

blowing offshore can make it like lake sailing, its shifty and can be very ‘snakes and ladders’ racing.

Things to watch out for :

1. if you see Patrick Burns at the bar get your order in fast as it does not happen very often.

2. The bar again

Yes, sailing out can be fun just follow the locals or race committee boat..the waves can pick you up and dump you down very fast, it can be quite concerning but the sail in can be more fun than the racing!

3. Yes, Wally of the Day will be awarded so if you see anything funny, daft or otherwise please do let me know. Let's hope Nick Fisher avoids the bushes on his bike after being in the bar too long!

See you all there.

Welcome and Good Luck to our Dutch competitors

Paul de Geus NED 605 Chairman

Pieter Braam NED 654

Roel Bakker NED 663

Tedd Bakker NED 649

Harold Lensing NED 667

Roel Den Herder NED 668

Rene Sala NED 644

Vincent Speelman NED 648

Hans Duetz NED 637

Barbara Schappers NED 565

Marc Dieben NED 641

Top Drive, owned and driven by former Class President Mike Barnes could win the Wooden Boat Trophy, could it win a race?

Guy Mayger is set to become the new NSCA President on Monday evening at the AGM.

More importantly he will be supplying ‘first to the Windward mark’ beer vouchers.

No matter how badly your regatta is going, there is always the chance to nail that first beat and round the top mark with 90+ losers behind you.

“You might lose the war but you could win the battle to the first mark.”

Will Loy

Get Yourself Race Ready

Archived feature from HD Sails

Lastly, in an idea blatantly stolen from the OK Class World Championship, we give you’

THE COMPETITOR BEER GLASS

Solo National Championship 2023

Hopefully, if Amazon live up to expectations, each competitor will receive one of these beauties at registration.

Guard it with your life as it is the vessel in which you will receive your daily Noble Marine ‘Tally in’ beer and your HD Sails and Winder Boats beer * on their respective days.

*(can also be used for re-hydration purposes when not filled with beer).

Team Salcombe do not usually participate in beer drinking but the allure of the competitor glass already has their attention peaked.

Charlie Cumbley is the two time winner at Hayling Island and will be participating

Sponsor of the North Sails Super Series