RBSC Eastern Area Solo Open Meeting Report – 20th April 2024
The freezing cold and strong northerly wind conditions may have deterred some from travelling to the RBSC Solo eastern area travellers open meeting on the 20th April but at least it made the decision about what to wear simple. Spring may be here, but full winter thermals and dry suits were the order of the day. There were 12 entries including 6 visitors.
Four races were scheduled but with wind speeds recorded up to 29 knots and gusting regularly in excess of 23-24 knots and mindful that some competitors would be headed to Hickling the following day, the OOD settled on a 3 race format with a single discard. With the wind direction predominantly in the north to north/west it was possible to set a long upwind/downwind course starting from a committee boat half-way down the broad. However, there were frequent shifts to the west, coming over the trees, which inevitably meant that the beat to No 5 mark would have to be a bit one sided.
Race 1 was won by Mathew Frary from NBYC with Chris Bunn from LYC 2nd and another visitor from NBYC, Duncan Ellis, taking 3rd. In Race 2 the positions were reversed with Chris Bunn taking 1st and Mathew taking 2nd and Steve Ede from Ardleigh SC coming 3rd.
Conditions were taking their toll and many of the competitors, having done enough to qualify already , decided not to push their luck and venture out for the 3rd race after lunch but with Mathew and Chris each recording a 1st and 2nd place, the podium positions were still all to play for. Conditions remained challenging and with Mathew leading Chris Bunn up the 2nd beat, rather than deciding to cover Chris, Mathew split left over towards the trees and was hit by a particularly vicious gust which resulted in a capsize and, alas, the end the race for him, gifting Chris the overall win. Steve Ede finished 2nd which secured him 3rd place overall and Roger Wilson finished 3rd securing him 4th place overall and 1st local club boat. The full set of results can be found here Sailwave results for 2024 RBSC Solo Eastern Area Open Meeting at 2024
At the prize giving Chris Bunn thanked the OOD, Clive Girling and his team of assistants and safety boat crews for their excellent race management in tricky conditions and the competitors travelled home tired but very satisfied with an excellent day’s racing.
