Allen Solo Class National Championship and Nation’s Cup 2024 at Brightlingsea Sailing Club – Day 2

by Will Loy August 24, 10:14 UTC
22-25 August 2024

The noise outside my room last night clearly showed that my analysis of the situation in the UK was wrong. The karaoke machine was pushed to the limits of its musical ethics and although X Factor has indeed discovered some Essex talent over the years, Brightlingsea was empty last night.

I rose from my comfortably firm double bed and stumbled to the window. The wooden frame looked as unkempt as the decks of that abandoned hulk that lies at the end of every sailing club. The sky was grey and had I been a wild animal I would probably have succumbed to hibernation again, but the weather forecast looked promising so I threw on some comfortable clothes and made my way to the club.

The race team, who are obviously part of the Nationals WhatsApp group, must have read my previous comments on the state of the flags, which were now off the mast; either that or they were blown away.

Some of the group camped, presumably to test their equipment for an assault on Everest, and since there were no casualties or tent losses, I can only assume they had set up camp in the lee of the clubhouse.

The canteen was bustling as usual. A bacon and egg roll was my personal choice for carb/protein intake, but other fillings are available. After eating breakfast, I took a moment in between editing videos to look at the view that would hopefully be our playground in a few hours.

The sun had started to break through, lighting up the dark green water, while eyebrows of white filled the river mouth, confirming that it was still pretty damn windy.

The PRO had wisely postponed it given the conditions. The launch from a sheltered bank into a narrow strip of water is a little tricky, but will make for a great video.

We sat and waited, some leisurely sipping coffee and perhaps pondering their lack of gym attendance, while others were out at the boat park checking the torque of Phillips head screws or just patting the old lady on the deck on the arm to reassure herself that all was well.

At 12 noon, Ernesto had made it and was on his way to Europe, so we could finally start this championship with the publication of the results.

Brightlingsea’s shore team moved with the confidence of a proper border force, driving the long line of sailors into the water and giving them an extra nudge to ensure they didn’t come back.

Inness Armstrong was the first out and the assembled crowds watched with great interest as he fought his solo against the stormy tide, easily sailing around the narrow strip of the river mouth and then turning left and completely merging into the plain.

I had positioned deck cameras on the solos of several competitors and, after pressing the “on” and “record” buttons, made my way to the jury/media rib, a 6-metre ribeye boat with seating for 8 or considerably more if you load from Calais.

The breeze had now settled at a comfortable 14-16 knots, with choppy seas, the sun had returned and was doing its best to make the water look inviting, and judge Steve Watson added his own touch of colour for good measure.

Our driver, Steve Kirby, had suggested that I sit up front, toward the bow, to have an unobstructed platform for filming. I’m not sure if he didn’t like me or if, sensing my back problems, he thought the brutal therapy offered only by short chops and vicious Thai masseurs would put it back in the right position.

After 5 minutes I excused myself and left the foredeck. It wasn’t a happy ending, but it did loosen my molar.

As the launch sequence began, we positioned ourselves behind the fleet. Steve Watson, like a driving instructor, gave his student firm but calm instructions and stood close to him so he could take over the wheel at any time, while further down his rubber-booted brake foot unconsciously twitched in anticipation.

Race 1

Clean start and kudos to the PRO for setting a straight line, the fleet spread out like a clothesline with that natural slack you always have on a clothesline. Paul Davis had seen it and was a couple of boat lengths prouder than the pack but not beyond and this tactic would earn him fourth place at the first mark but it was Charlie Cumbley who rounded the lap first, pursued by Pim van Vugt and Oliver Davenport. Hans Duetz, whose daughter recently won gold in the FX 49er, took fifth ahead of Ted Bakker, Simon Potts and Fergus Barnham. The triangular lap was full of spray and sunshine, Cumbley unsurprisingly retaining his lead but on the second beat Pim took the lead by hooking further to the right of Davenport and these two gained a good lead at the front. Davenport has improved exponentially over the last two years, holding on to the front of the fleet until the end of lap three, while aboard the dinghy I was struggling with my trusty Nikon P950. A tussle with the steel mount resulted in a fatal blow that abruptly ended our relationship. My eyes met the judges/driving instructor. This accident could certainly have been prevented. Most importantly, Patrick Burns, my assistant for the day, was still on board. There are other, more subtle ways to make him disappear.

For the rest of the day at least, I had to rely on my “reliable” top-of-the-line Samsung S5. However, due to the screen size and my failing eyesight, this affected my memory of the subsequent races.

The finishing order of the first race was Davenport, van Vugt, Cumbley, Taxi and Duetz.

Race 2

The wind had dropped by a few knots, but with the seas resembling a mogul slope without snow, getting through or around the waves was critical to success.

Top mark and Vince Horey sneaks past Mark Lee for a bragging right now. He’s not one to be shy about chatting at the bar. He’ll be gushing about this achievement for weeks to come. Thankfully, his North London team’s poor performances usually bring him back down to earth when his own performance doesn’t. Martin Honnor, Cumbley, Andy Davis, Davenport, Dave Winder and Paul Davis completed the top eight and after the spread mark was passed, the fleet spread out across the bay for a gruelling run. The PRO opted for the sausage/triangle for this race.

Cumbley was just ahead at the Leeward gate and extended his lead over the next few laps to secure the win, with Davenport, Horey, Huisman and Davis completing the top five.

I gathered my thoughts and since my P950 was high on my priority list, I fiddled with the lens and gave the long zoom a few frantic rubbings. My crew, not knowing I had pulled out my gear, looked away, the jury man shook his head while our driver pretended to do something in the front locker.

Race 3

Fortunately we were soon able to start Race 3 which, I might add, was just as hectic as my rubbing and ultimately just as unsuccessful as there was more going on at the pin end than any other day of the week in Hanger Lane if you recall.

The restart was almost as frantic as the fleet struggled to counter the oncoming current. This scenario continued at the top mark which, not unlike the list of names that produces prize winners, picked a few random names to lead the way. Jarvis Simpson, the local man who had spent most of the second race upside down, made up for it in dramatic fashion, leading ahead of Graham Cranford Smith, Horey, Chris Aston and Chris Mayhew, who, I might add, is riding a wooden solo built over 16 years ago. Davenport was back in the mix, Davis was way back but the biggest surprise was Cumbley coming in from the left, with about 60 solos ahead of him.

There were snakes and ladders, but if you asked some of those present, the comments would be less angelic.

Horey took charge and with Aston in his rear-view mirror he looked ready for the shot, but the winner of more Wally of the Day jackets than anyone else messed up again, rounding the Lee goal in the wrong direction. Aston, clearly unaware of the Spurs fans’ propensity to make mistakes, followed him and both lost valuable positions and any validity to their tactical sense.

At the start, Barnham, Davenport, Mayhew, Horey and Aston completed the top five, while Cumbley bravely overtook about 50 competitors to finish eighth.

The fleet headed towards me as I clung desperately to the safety bars of the dinghy. It must have looked funny from a participant’s perspective, but the words I was whispering to myself were indecipherable.

Last night’s leader is Oliver Davenport, with Cumbley, Barnham, Davis and van Vugt completing the talented top 5.

The forecast for day 3 initially calls for wet winds with slightly variable winds. This should calm down by 2 p.m., making at least two races possible, although four are provisionally planned.

The evening’s entertainment continued with an exciting annual general meeting. The association thanks you for your sacrifice.

The awards ceremony was sponsored by CF by LandL, who provided a beautiful, colorful carbon extension, as well as Noble Marine, title sponsor Allen, KLG and CB Coverstore. Cranford Smith was particularly excited to win the 25% voucher towards a new CB Coverstore Solo Combi.

I had the opportunity to interview CF by LandL earlier during the event. A video with a full explanation of the brand name follows.

Many thanks to all our sponsors.

Flickr album at www.flickr.com/photos/194924056@N05/albums/72177720319753614

It is now Day 3, the participants are once again gathered in the clubhouse awaiting instructions from PRO Sarah Conlon who has posted an open-ended AP.

Hopefully we can resume the fight for the solo national championship and the Nations Cup later.