My greatest thanks, however, must go to the people working behind the scenes. The Committee, Area representatives, membership and results teams, event organisers and numerous club volunteers have given many hours of their time to keep the Association running. Paul Davies did a tremendous amount of work securing championship sponsorship, while Graham Cranford Smith provided invaluable assistance with results, trophies and keeping the President in line. Andrew Liddington and John Steels have performed outstanding work as Treasurer and Membership Secretary, Nigel maintaining the website, while Maria, Ross, Nick, Godfrey, Vernon, Ian, Jonathan x2, Mark, Steve x2, Charlie, Andy, Chris and many others have each made significant contributions during their time on the Committee and the class in general. The 70 th anniversary has an opportunity to celebrate everyone who has contributed to the Solo over those seven decades: designers, builders, sailmakers, class officers, volunteers and, above all, the sailors. Please look out for the big celebration coming at the Inland Championships Sept 5/6 th at Grafham. It is also an opportunity to look forward. The Solo has endured because it has evolved carefully while retaining the essential qualities that made it successful in the first place. As President, I hope we have helped maintain the class in a healthy position: respecting the history of the class while supporting training, promotion, international competition and an ambitious programme of racing. Not everything has been perfect, and there will always be more that can be done, but I know the class continues in safe hands. Personally, it has been a privilege to serve as President. I have enjoyed representing the class, working with the Committee and meeting sailors at clubs and events throughout the country and beyond. I have also enjoyed competing alongside you—even on the occasions involving broken equipment, bent masts, bruised ribs and disappearing sunglasses! I thought my own high was to win the EOS at Draycote in 2024, but it seems you can get lucky twice as President, so I was delighted to be able to add the 2026 Nations Cup to my own list of wins (have I mentioned before I won that?). As a little challenge, I’ll throw a gauntlet down for Paul or any future Solo class President to win the Nations Cup at 60 years old ;-) A beer and one of Dawn’s homemade cakes is on offer if you achieve it! Thank you to everyone who has offered encouragement, advice, assistance, transported boats or trophies, or simply shared a drink and a story after racing. The Solo class is successful because of its people, and I am grateful to have played a small part in its continuing story. I know Paul and the Committee will continue to keep the Solo class at the forefront of the UK (and Dutch) dinghy racing scene, and wish them every success, and the 70 year old design will be giving sailors some of the best, most competitive racing for years to come. I hope all our members continue to race, travel, learn, volunteer and enjoy this remarkable little boat. Sail fast, sail smart. Guy Mayger President, National Solo Class Association
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