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

The atmosphere at Brightlingsea was lively, with karaoke echoing from the previous night, although the talent level was questionable. After a good night’s sleep, I ventured to the sailing club despite the overcast skies.

The race team was already on top of things, having taken down the flags after my previous comments. Some competitors were camping as if preparing for a mountain expedition, but they appeared to have chosen a safe spot near the clubhouse.

Breakfast was hearty, consisting of a bacon and egg bap, while I edited some videos and admired the view that would soon be our racing ground. The sun began to break through the clouds, revealing choppy, dark green water.

With the wind strong, the PRO wisely postponed the start until conditions improved. The competitors passed the time, sipping coffee and making last-minute checks on their equipment.

By noon, it was time to get the Championship underway as winds settled to a manageable 14-16 knots. The shore team efficiently ushered sailors into the water, ensuring no one wandered back to the safety of the shore.

As the fleet took to the estuary, Inness Armstrong made an impressive start, deftly navigating against the tide before zooming off on a plane. I had set up deck cameras on several competitors’ boats to capture the excitement from the course.

The conditions stabilized, offering a decent racing environment despite the lumpy sea. The first race kicked off cleanly, with Paul Davis leading a string of boats down the line, although Charlie Cumbley rounded the first mark in first place, closely followed by Pim van Vugt and Oliver Davenport.

The action continued with Davenport improving his position significantly by the top of lap three. Unfortunately, my Nikon P950 camera suffered a malfunction, leaving me to rely on my Samsung S5 for the remainder of the races.

The finishing order for Race 1 concluded with Davenport taking the top spot, followed by van Vugt, Cumbley, Taxi, and Duetz.

In Race 2, the wind had eased slightly, while the sea state presented its own challenges. Vince Horey managed to sneak a lead around Mark Lee, further igniting his confidence. Cumbley led for the majority of the race, ultimately taking the bullet, as Davenport and Horey followed behind.

Race 3 proved to be equally intense, with the adverse tide causing chaos at the start. Local sailor Jarvis Simpson led the charge and made a strong comeback after struggling in race two. In the end, Barnham, Davenport, Mayhew, Horey, and Aston finished atop the leaderboard.

As the day concluded, Oliver Davenport emerged as the overnight leader, closely trailed by Cumbley, Barnham, Davis, and van Vugt.

Day 3 forecasts indicated wet conditions in the morning, with light and variable winds expected to clear by afternoon, allowing for additional races.

The evening’s agenda included a lively AGM, followed by a prize-giving ceremony sponsored by various contributors.

I was fortunate to interview one of the sponsors earlier in the event, and a video will follow, detailing their brand story.

For further updates, you can visit the Flickr album to view highlights from the event.

As Day 3 unfolds, competitors gather in the clubhouse, awaiting instructions from PRO Sarah Conlon, who has posted an indefinite AP. The anticipation for resuming the Solo National Championship and Nation’s Cup continues to build.