Sail a Soling
THE WORLD'S BEST THREE MAN KEELBOAT
The International Soling Class
The Soling an Idea Conceived at the Olympic Level
Jan Herman Linge, the Norwegian designer, conceived the initial ideal of a new type of racing keelboat whilst he was doing tank test research work for the 1960 Olympic Games.
In his mind it was evident that a lighter displacement hull with a short fin keel and a separated spade rudder would have a far greater speed potential. If mass-produced in fiberglass reinforced polyester at a reasonable cost it was obvious that the type would give a lot more of racing fun to more people.
Soling Sign Story
About the same time Linge was approached by Sverre Olsen, chairman of Holmen Yachtyard, who was prepared to arrange the financial part of the project and it was decided to build a wooden prototype. The name Soling was chosen as a combination of the two names. SO from Sverre Olsen and LING from Linge, and with some imagination everyone can combine the two letters: "O" and "L" to the Soling Sign, which is not an Omega sign!
First Five GRP Solings
This prototype was tested and evaluated by Linge and Finn Ferner (now a Life Member of the ISA) during 1964. A lot of experiments with variations to sailplan, rudder and keel position were carried out before they were satisfied and sure that the project was good and worth the further investments for production tooling. Moulds were made in 1965 and the first five GRP boats were manufactured for the 1966 season.
A Small, Cheap Boat with Lots of Racing Fun
The IYRU had by that time sent out invitations for the international three-man keelboat trial races which were going to take place at Kiel the same autumn. The Soling was entered although she could have no chance of beating the much larger boats. Generally she was about 3 feet shorter, carried about 20% less sail area, and her total displacement was less than the weight of the ballast keel of the other competitors, but Linge wanted to prove his point: "One could have just as much racing fun in a smaller and cheaper boat".
The trial races at Kiel were held in general heavy weather conditions, and to everybody's surprise Soling was steadily hanging on to windward, and was even faster than any of the others down-wind.
A Percentage Slower, But Less than Half the Cost
Although she never won a race, she was the belle of the ball because she was twice second and never disgraced herself. According to a comparison after about 50 miles of racing, Soling turned out to be only about 2 1/2 percent slower than the fastest boats, and somebody's comment was: "They are certainly not 2000 dollars faster!" The jury decided to recommend new trials the following year, and that the jury should take the cost of the boat and road-transport (trail-ability) into consideration.
The Soling Adopted In Scandinavia
During the winter of 1966/67 some 60 boats were built and fleets were started in Scandinavia, United Kingdom and USA. The Soling was also adopted as a one design class by the Scandinavian Yacht Racing Union. Licensed builders were appointed in USA and later in Australia and Canada.
In 1967 the IYRU second trials for a three-man keelboat were arranged at Travemunde. A couple of new boats had entered too, and a dragon and a 5.5 meter took part for the purpose of comparison. The final result was that the Soling was recommended to be adopted as an international class by the IYRU.
Soling International
A launching committee for the International Soling Class Association was formed and during the 1967 IYRU meetings the Soling was formally given status as an international one design class. This of course started the wheels rolling! The growth of the class was very satisfactory and National Class Associations were established in many countries. During the 1968 season about 300 Solings were racing all over the world. The first European Championship was held in Copenhagen with 25 entries. A former ISA President, Mr. Geert Bakker, took part in this first European, and after a series of 6 races he finished as runner up to the Norwegian, Per Spilling. At the 1968 IYRU meetings the International Soling was chosen as an Olympic Class for the 1972 Games. The first Soling World Championship was arranged in Copenhagen in 1969. There were 97 entries from 17 different countries, and Paul Elvstrom from Denmark became the first World Champion of the Class.
The European Championship was arranged in Sandhamn, Sweden, with 46 entries from 11 countries and was won by Arved von Gruenenwald of Sweden. By this time some 600 Soling were registered throughout the world, built by 12 licensed builders. National Soling Associations were established in 20 countries.
