The Bala Solo Open shared their venue with seven visiting Solutions from five clubs for a Solution open event. Following an initial dead calm the first race finally got under way in light SW winds around a trapezoidal course. The competitors were faced with various obstructions called long distance swimmers who were swimming the length of the lake. Dave Butler led the way followed by Kevin Clark and Kathryn Hayfield. Kevin and Kathryn were then passed by Wendy Pickstock, Duncan Tarry and Patrick Manning. Patrick eventually losing out to Kathryn
During lunch the wind picked up in strength but also became more variable. The race officer Don Muir set an Olympic course for the second and third races. Kevin took the lead followed by Kathryn, Dave and Wendy. Kevin held on to his lead to be followed home by Dave and Patrick who was only just in front of Wendy.
For the last race with the wind starting to die the length of the first beat was halved and the number of laps reduced to one. Kathryn led the way followed by Kevin, Dave and Patrick. At the end however it was Kevin leading from Dave, Kathryn and Patrick. Duncan did not compete in this last race – the strain of the long beats taking their toll. Well the course was set well down the lake where the marks are set most widely apart.
Bala’s first Solution Open was enjoyed by all the competitors and although there are no Solution sailors at the club it is proposed to hold a similar event next year.

1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th

Kevin Clark
Dave Butler
Wendy Joy Pickstock
Kathryn Hayfield
Patrick Manning
Duncan Tarry
Gavin Steven

Seafeares
North Staff's
Rudyard Lake
Delph
Delph
Rudyard Lake
Rippon S C

2pts
3pts
6pts
7pts
7pts
8pts
11pts

Solutions At Bala