President’s Final Report Guy Mayger
Dear Solo sailors, As my time as President of the National Solo Class Association draws to a close, it seems appropriate to look back over the past few years and reflect on what has been a busy, rewarding and thoroughly enjoyable period. When I began writing these reports, the intention was always to keep members informed about what was happening across the class. Looking back, they tell a wider story: one of a class that remains strong, competitive and welcoming, supported by an extraordinary amount of voluntary effort both on and off the water. Throughout 2024, 2025 and 2026, Solo racing continued at every level, from regular club fleets through to open meetings, Area series, the Super Series, National Championships and Nations Cups. The weather did not always cooperate, with some events postponed, racing curtailed, but as sailors we know and understand this element of our fantastic sport… even if my wife thinks we are all slightly mad! Dawn may have a point having joined me at a storm reduced Salcombe weekend and a no sailing day at Whitstable due to fog. Despite this though, our enthusiasm for sailing, and specifically Solo sailing, remained undiminished. Across the country club racing continues to be the foundation of the class. Salcombe and Hayling Island regularly produced weekend fleets approaching or exceeding twenty boats, while Draycote, Grafham, Shustoke, South Staffs and the Scottish clubs are among the many other centres providing strong and competitive class racing. There are, of course, many more clubs I could mention. Together they demonstrate that the Solo remains one of the best choices for anyone wanting proper fleet racing in the UK. The open meeting and Area programme has been equally impressive. More than fifty events were organised during the 2025 season alone. Delivering such an extensive calendar requires a huge amount of work from our Area representatives, host clubs, race teams and volunteers. Their efforts have provided members with opportunities to race at every level and at a wonderful variety of venues. To all the Area reps who have served on the Committee, I am hugely grateful for all the hard work you’ve put into pulling the class calendar. Our major championships have produced some memorable racing. The 2024 National Championship and Nations Cup at Brightlingsea was a tremendous success. Although we narrowly missed the target of one hundred boats, the entry still placed the Solo among the best-supported dinghy classes in the country. Brightlingsea Sailing Club provided a fantastic welcome, excellent race management and an efficient and friendly shore operation. On the water, the championship delivered a genuine clash of the titans. Pim van Vugt led a strong Dutch contingent and became the first Dutch winner for many years, claiming both the Nations Cup and UK National titles on countback from Oliver Davenport. Charlie Cumbley finished only a few points behind, while Fergus Barnham’s fourth place suggested that a new generation was beginning to challenge the established names. The strength of the competition has been a recurring theme throughout my presidency. Our leading sailors have demonstrated an exceptionally high standard, but the depth of the fleet has also meant that a change in conditions can bring a completely different group to the front. That makes Solo racing both demanding and exciting, regardless of where an individual competitor sits within the fleet.
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