2016 This would be the solo class sixtieth anniversary and there would be a number of events scheduled to celebrate the landmark. A vintage event was organised but the weather gods put a stop to that. It would have been madness to launch into force six winds in a 60 year old boat of any class. Specially printed t shirts were available at £10 with the super series venues emblazoned on the back. These will have some value in a few decades. Membership stood at 870, still an amazing figure. The class travelled to Pwllheli for the national championship, won by Andy Davis who also took the nation’s cup title in medemblik. Vanda Jowett won an unprecedented sixteenth vacher cup with Paul Ballentine taking the junior title back to salcombe. There was much debate on possible Dna changes to the solo and winder boats kindly provided an example with reduced capping for those at the inland championship to view. There had been a coaching day before the main event and in the breeze it was clear that the existing capping plays a major role, both in locking the feet in and providing a hand hold when recovering from capsize so the committee resisted any further exploration. While contentious, the halt of boat sales and the threat to re-sale of existing solos was too big threat to the class. After a number of years Tony thresher stepped down as training co- ordinator, mark and Linda lee stepping up. Paul Dowman spent considerable time and effort refreshing the solo website and, after some confusion with age categories the committee instigated a change so that your age on jan 1 determines your category for the year. Davis won the inland championship and defended the north sails super series title. Away from titles and trophies, The draw for Solo 6000 was the big event and would be won by the luckiest scotsman in the world, Patrick burns.
Made with FlippingBook Digital Proposal Creator