SOLO OPEN MEETING 2026 - REPORT
Published 09:45 on 20 Apr 2026
Solo Open Meeting Burghfield Sailing Club
Burghfield Sailing Club hosted its Solo Open Meeting with 14 helms on the water, including six visitors. With several noticeable absences from the home fleet, the title of top Burghfield boat was very much up for grabs.
Race 1
The day started in a light and shifty breeze, swinging around enough to keep the whole fleet guessing. Two boats broke clear at the windward mark, with Nicholas Charles (Warsash) holding off Nigel Bird (RYA) to take the first win and start a trend for the day.
Behind them, the pack remained tightly grouped. Andy Jones took 3rd overall and was the first Burghfield boat home, followed closely by Richard Willetts (BSC) in 4th and Mike Dray (Hawley) in 5th.
With the wind continuing to oscillate, the race team made the call to send the fleet ashore for lunch.
Race 2
The afternoon session began with a building breeze. Three Burghfield boats — Willetts, Jones and Marc Sollars — were first round the windward mark and initially broke away from the fleet.
However, despite everyone being perfectly comfortable with numbered buoys, the sudden introduction of letters proved a step too far, with the leading three boats confidently setting off towards BuoyC instead of BuoyA.
It was visitor Nicholas Charles who spotted the mistake. Although Willetts initially retained the lead, he was eventually passed by Charles and Jones, who finished in that order. A returning Stephen Dickinson (BSC) finished 4th, followed by Dray in 5th. Sollars slipped back to finish 8th.
Race 3
After Race 2, it was widely noted on the water that the heavier sailors were hoping for more wind — which duly arrived.
Mike Dray and Marc Sollars got away cleanly and rounded the windward mark 12. Dray steadily stretched away, while the everquick Nicholas Charles powered past Sollars downwind to claim 2nd.
Sollars and Dickinson tussled hard for 3rd, with Dickinson crossing the line ahead only to be called OCS, promoting Sollars. The consistently solid Willetts finished 4th.
By this point, Charles had effectively sewn up the overall win, but the remaining podium places were still very much alive.
Race 4
The first attempt resulted in a general recall, followed by a restart under the Black Flag. Dray again came off the line well from a congested pin end, followed by Charles, while Sollars and Dickinson emerged midline on port.
With plenty of hiking pressure up the beat, Dray extended his lead, followed by Charles, with Sollars, Willetts and Dickinson locked in a close contest for 3rd.
At the finish, drama ensued: no finishing signal was sounded for either Dray or Charles, and both were subsequently scored OCS. This handed Sollars a surprise win. Willetts, crossing second, was also OCS, promoting Dickinson to 2nd, Steve Jones (Littleton) to 3rd, and Anthony Newton (Reading) to 4th.
Final Results
With Nicholas Charles (Warsash) secure at the top, the remaining places were exceptionally tight, with 2nd through 5th all finishing on 11 points, decided on countback:
- 2nd Marc Sollars (BSC): 7, 3, 1
- 3rd Mike Dray (Hawley): 5, 5, 1
- 4th Andy Jones (BSC): 3, 2, 6
- 5th Richard Willetts (BSC): 4, 3, 4
A great event at Burghfield Sailing Club, featuring close racing, changing conditions, plenty of onwater humour, and a competitive mix of visiting and home sailors. Thanks go to the race team and all competitors for making it an enjoyable and closely fought Solo Open Meeting.
