Caley Marina Loch Ness Monster Race
by David Morgan 31 Aug 2004 09:24 BST
28 August 2004
Records were set on Loch Ness on Saturday (August 28) when the crew of a Tornado Sport catamaran turned in the fastest time ever set for a non-stop race from the northern end of the 24-mile long loch to the southern end and back again.
Minnis Bay SC crew Chris Fields and Mike Spelling stormed to victory in their Tornado Sport to finish the Caley Marina Loch Ness Monster Race in under four hours and they set a blistering return leg covering 24 miles in just 1hour 19 minutes and 53 seconds. The top-rated pair from Essex completed both legs in 3 hours 47 minutes 49 seconds.
They were one of more than 30 crews from all over the UK and as far afield as Spain who mustered in a strong south-westerly wind at Dores for Scotland’s first long-distance freshwater catamaran race.
"It was one of the most exhilarating events I’ve sailed," said winning helm Chris Fields. "We knew we’d set a fast time because we were hitting 25 knots on the second leg with the wind behind us. It was a great race in one of the most spectacular settings Britain has to offer. Loch Ness is a real challenge to sailors and we had to cope with strong winds between Force 5 and 6, but it’s a fantastic place for competitive sailing."
The event was organised by the Scotland and North of England Catamaran Association and run by officials from Peterhead Sailing Club.
Race secretary, Edinburgh architect Chris Browning, says the spectacular race saw 27 catamarans on the start line. Twenty boats finished the event.
"A few crews decided not to sail because conditions were too lively for some of the cats," the organiser said. "All of the crews said they enjoyed the race and want to come back. The hospitality from villagers at Dores was superb. It’s been such a great event we’re planning to run the race again in two years."
Tornado Sport, Hurricane, Shadow, Spitfire, Stealth and Stealth F18 HT class catamarans took part. Several capsized during the event and at least one broke its mast. But with a flotilla of rescue and safety boats following the competitors, including an HM Coastguard rescue RIB, assistance was always close at hand. Speeds of over 20 knots were achieved by most of the catamarans on a loch well known for its wind-tunnel effect. Crowds of spectators turned out to watch the event which they followed from either side of the steep-banked Loch Ness.
The organisers worked closely with the Loch Ness Partnership and Peterhead Sailing Club to bring this headline-grabbing sailing event to Nessie’s home waters.
Loch Ness Partnership spokesman Willie Cameron said: "It’s been a fantastic success and it’s great to have set some records, We wanted to put Loch Ness on the competitive sailing map and we couldn’t have hoped for a better result."
Alternative Reports from SNECCA:
Loch Ness Monster tamed! (but she put up a good fight!)
The idea of a freshwater long distance catamaran event over 45 miles of Loch Ness (that's all the way there and back again!) caught the imagination of 32 high performance catamarans from all over the UK, with a large contingent from Minnis Bay clocking up the 600 miles each way to the event, and a keen group form Bala. This was knocked for six by Micky Todd, bringing his A Class all the way from Spain!
The boats were rigged at Dores in full view of the course on Friday with a Force 8/9 pummelling the Loch and causing anxious frowns. Saturday dawned a more respectable 6, but still obviously a challenging race.
The Race started following a difficult launch with an onshore breeze, and 27 of the 32 boats headed to Fort Augustus, a three hour beat, twin wiring, fully depowered, and some almighty gusts. The width of the Loch meant that boats crossed tacks throughout the 20+ miles to Fort Augustus, but the Tornado of Chris Field and Mike Speller pulled a convincing lead, following a poor start. Two Hurricane SX's from Minnis Bay, of Turner and Skinner were joined towards the front of the fleet at the windward mark by Mark Homer, lead Scottish crew to the South end for the frightening run back. A downwind swim or two and broken boom put paid to his efforts though. Mid fleet, there was a hot battle upwind between Hurricanes, Spitfires and F18's, with the Loch narrowing, it was fantastic to see so many boats together after over 20 miles beating in harsh conditions.
The downwind leg was the stuff of legends. Field and Spellers Tornado revelled in the high winds and short chop to smash any previous Loch record, held by windsurfers. They managed to complete the downwind leg in one hour nineteen minutes, clocking a maximum 25 knots. Their overall time of just under four hours, equally impressive. In their wake, the rescue crews were kept busy with every type of pitchpole and capsize imaginable, in plain view of the main road, with laybys packed with tourists. Some of the competitors 'air work' put the Olympic gymnasts to shame!
One boat dismasted, a few retirals due to gear failure or rescue, but twenty boats completed the demanding course, with the last boat taking nearly six hours.
Nessie was no where to be seen, but Dave Harcourt did lose ten (yes, ten) Mars bars over the side, so she would have been busy!
The Tornado took a well deserved win, with the lead Scottish boat of David and Ian Kent in fifth.
Many thanks to Caley Marina, the Loch Ness Partnership, Tomatin Distillery, Vizarch, Peterhead Sailing Club and the people of Dores for making this unique event happen.
We will be back!
Overall Results:
1. Chris Field/Mike Speller (Tornado Sport/406) Minnis Bay SC – 3hr.47min.49sec
2. Kevin Turner/Lloyd Turner (Hurricane 5.9 SX/389) Island YC – 4hr.13min.22sec
3. Kevin Skinner/Mandy Cox (Hurricane 5.9 SX/41) Minnis Bay SC – 4hr.14min.36sec
4. Ashley Machin/Julia Machin (Hurricane 5.9 SX/487) Datchet SC – 4hr.18min.41sec
5. David Kent/Iain Kent (Hurricane 5.9 Spin/458) – 4hr.16min.18sec
6. David Lester/Toby Winchester (F18/FRA589) Whitstable SC – 4hr.24min.42sec
7. Nigel Lynn/James Armour (Hurricane 5.9 Sport) Helensburgh SC – 4hr.25min.58sec
8. James Wood/Martin Andrews (Hurricane 5.9/408) Peterhead SC – 4hr.30min.21sec
9. David Smith/Robin Smith (Hurricane 5.9 Spin/400) – 4hr.25min.03sec
10. Mark Homer/Fraser Gray (Hurricane 5.9 SX/455) Helensburgh SC – 4hr.33min.16sec