Patience proves a virtue at Dell Quay
The Dell Quay Sailing Club Solo Open has always been a firm favourite among the solo fleet–and this year was no exception.
The forecasters had been predicting a decent breeze, but come the morning of the race there was barely anything, and what breeze there was included substantial rain.
Race one was delayed a little, but race officer Martin Jones got the fleet away as soon as possible in a five-knot south westerly breeze.
The fleet split up, with half heading up the left of the course with the other half heading out to the right.
Sue Taylor from Silver Wing showed the rest how to get to the wind ward mark efficiently in the light conditions.
The win eventually went to Tim lewis with roger bennett close on his heels. Andy Hyland was third and Guy Mayger fourth.
With the wind dropping and changing direction, the committee boat had their work cut out to set a course forracetwo. Forashortwhile, there was no air at all, then it came in from the north, then nothingagain. Justtwodozen Solos drifting in the October sunshine.
Race two eventually got going and racing was close with places changing hands.
Roger Bennett took the line chased by Tim Lewis, Nigel Thomas and Andy Highland. Those four took the first four overall spots.
The wind appeared for race three and the sun came out. Bennett took his second win of the day and the overall victory. Local sailor Ian Barnett took second, Fraser Haydn third, Thomas fourth and dell quay’ s roger put to ck fifth.