A windy forecast kept a number of visiting soloists away but there were 8 visitors and 15 club boats entered for this the fifth Vintage Championship at this club, again well supported by Rooster Sailing. They were greeted with plenty of sunshine and a brisk northeasterly offshore wind.

After the usual bacon butties , coffee and tea, and a briefing by the Race Officer Steve Corbet the fleet launched sped away to the committee boat. A brief respite whilst the trapezoid shaped course was laid the first race got underway. A 3 minute count down confused many boats on a shortish line all returned and as the wind shifted the pin end was favoured. Rodger Smith got the jump at the start and led by a good distance at the first windward buoy. Current champion Ewan Birkin-Wallis and past champion Dave Goudie were hot on his heels. Smith lost his way after the leeward mark which led to Birkin-Wallis gaining the lead which he extended and held until the finish. Cass Monk worked his way through the fleet but couldn’t catch Goudie who kept second place. The wind gradually increased throughout the race and all boats held together and all finished.

The second race was started in a similar fashion and past champion Jonny Wells led around the windward mark followed closely by Nigel Pybus, Birkin-Wall, Goudie, Monk. Pybus gained the lead, however hardening up after the last leeward mark his starboard stay broke leaving Birkin-Wallis to take another win followed closely by Wells and Monk.

The tide had just turned at the start of the third and final race with the wind further increasing saw many having a taste of the Thames estuary. A lumpy seaway couldn’t stop Wells again and led away down the first broad reach. Followed very closely by a gaggle of five boats. Goudie got caught out by a vicious gust on the run and then there were four. The wind increased yet again which saw many retirements and the race was shortened to two rounds. Monk worked his way to the top and got his first win in an event. Ewan Birkin-Wallis was second and Wells third.

Sparkling conditions which most enjoyed and all returned safely to the clubhouse for food and drinks and the prizegiving.

The prizegiving was introduced by Class Captain, Russel Trudgett who thanked everyone for coming and enjoying the racing. The NSCA provided the first three winners prizes and Rooster Sailing provided the other valuable prizes which were handed out by the current Commodore, Robin Tothill who sailed in Solo 3958 to the following :-

Oldest boat : 3552 Phil Dowsett LSC

Furthest traveled: 3847 Mike Barnes , Lagos YC, Kenya (RYA)

5th Overall : 3787 Mike Izatt, Blackwater SC, 10 points

4th Overall : 4040 Dave Goudie, Grafham SC, 6 points

3rd Overall : 3903 Jonny Wells, Essex YC, 5 points

2nd Overall : 3983 Cass Monk, Essex YC, 4 points

1st Overall and the NSCA Championship Trophy : 4206 Ewan Birkin-Wallis, Grafham SC, 2 points

Ewan Birkin-Wallis again thanked the club for holding the event and all the members who made it possible and hoped to see many more next year.

Colin Walker (4023)

LSC Solo Vintage Championship 2023 Results.pdf

A breezy but brilliantly sunny morning greeted all 19 entries to this years Solo Class open meeting which forms part of the Eastern Area travelers events. The prizes were supported by Rooster Sailing.

Local entries were down from Saturdays Vintage Championship, after many had aching legs, backs and so forth. However, 10 visitors were welcomed. After the customary bacon butties, tea & coffee and a briefing by the Race Officer, Steve Corbet the fleet set off in perfect conditions. A trapezoidal course was set similar to the previous days racing and a keen northeasterly breeze kept the sailors on their toes, (so to speak). Again, many testing the taste of the Thames estuary!

All the new boats quickly showed their speed and drew away from the older ones in race 1 .  Jonny Wells (5597) led at the top mark first time, however such is the competitiveness of the fleet by the end of round one Jonathan Swain (6055) had established a close lead. Steve Ede (6045) and Jarvis Simpson (6016) both old hands were close in second and third spot respectively.

In the second race again Swain took the lead and was ahead until the bottom mark when his halyard broke ending his days racing. Tim Lewis (6010) showed his class in his newly acquired boat and after some very close racing in the increasingly shifting breeze led home the fleet. Ede managed second place with Wells in third position. Fourth place went to Cass Monk (3983), in a 20 + year old boat.

All to play for in the final race of the day as the breeze now kicked up a good chop as the tide had turned. A committee boat start was won by Ede. With the increasing offshore wind now shifting back and forth, 30 degrees at times, the top boats had a close thrilling race, especially on the downwind legs. At the end of the shortened course, it was Ede who led home followed by Lewis and Simpson to take home the Open Meeting trophy for the second time.

The fleet returned to the shore exhausted but had a great day racing in fabulous conditions.

After racing food was provided courtesy of the club following the prizegiving as one or two visitors had to get away quickly.

The prizegiving was introduced by Class Captain Russel Tredgett (3886) who thanked all the visitors for their support in coming to the LSC and Rooster Sailing for their prize support. He handed over the presentation to Commodore Robin Tothill (3958). The results being :-

3^rd Place : Jarvis Simpson, Brightlingsea SC, (6016), 6 points

2^nd Place : Tim Lewis, RYA, (6010), 3 points

1^st Overall and the Open Meeting Trophy winner, Steve Ede, Ardleigh SC, (6045) 3 points [last race]

Steve Ede thanked all the members involved in the management of the event and looked forward to returning next year.

Colin Walker (4023)

Solo Open 2023_results.pdf

 LSC Programme and Rotas 2023 Rev B.pdf

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John Charles
Hon. Treasurer
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The cruiser lift in will take place on Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd April starting at 9am. (Sunday 23rd as the backstop). Regrettably, the prom. will have to be closed for parking on both days until all operations are finished.

The Leigh on Sea SC Brass Monkey Trophy – 3 Brass Monkeys mounted on a polished wooden base dates back to the early 1950’s. The race is traditionally sailed on Boxing Day when the tide and weather allow. This year the weather and tide were as good as it ever gets, sunshine, a steady force 4 West Southwest wind and an early afternoon spring tide, some might have liked it a bit warmer but after the extreme cold earlier in December 10°C was warm. 24 home boats from LSC and our neighbours the Essex YC were joined by 12 visitors from Thorpe Bay, Benfleet, Wembley and Warash.

Read more: Brass Monkey Race Report 26th December 2022