2001

The Soling National Championships were held at the Blackpool and Fleetwood Yacht club over the weekend of 2^nd and 3^rd June. There were Solings from the home fleet plus teams from Scotland and from the south of England making 12 boats in all.

The first race was held in the River Wyre estuary as winds of 25 knots plus were being reported out in Morecambe Bay. The course was of windward/leward format (as were all of the courses used in the Championship). GBR 143 (Cockatoo 2) won the first race. The wind then eased and the race officer was able to set a course out in Morecambe Bay. GBR 164 (Spank) won both of the races in the bay before the competetors had to retreat to the River Wyre due to adverse weather conditions. The race officer then set a course in the River Wyre channel which provided a very challenging course and some impromptu entertainment for the locals of Fleetwood almost in touching distance on the beach. The 2 races in the channel were won by GBR 47 (Chinook).

Sunday brought slightly better conditions with wind speeds of 15 to 20 knots, so 4 races were held in Morecambe Bay. GBR 164 won the first race, GBR 47 won the second race and the last 2 races were won by GBR 155 (Buzz Lightyear).