SNECCA Travellers at Prestwick Sailing Club
by Mark Homer 21 May 2012 14:23 BST
19-20 May 2012
Stealth SXL chasing a Tornado during the SNECCA travellers at Prestwick © Alan Henderson /
www.fotoboat.com
SNECCA (Scotland and Northern England Catamaran Class Association) held their 2nd travellers event at Prestwick SC over the weekend of 19/20th May.
Despite a poor turnout, which seems to be a sign of the times combined with less than seasonal temperatures, excellent racing was enjoyed with near perfect conditions.
A frisky force three was order of the day on Saturday which rose to praps the top of a perky force 4 by the end of the day giving an exiting ride to the winter weary catmen still dusting off cobwebs.
Behemoth Homer of Helensburgh Sc in his super sized Stealth Sxl took the first race from Disco Dave Parker and Scott Cleary of Dalgetty Bay in their Tornado , though Scott taking time off for a wee swim up the first beat probably didn't help, whilst locals Colin Rawson and Ian Hay quickly getting used to their Tornado followed closely in third.
Team Disco Dave and Aqua Buoy then got their act together forsaking break dancing and swimming antics to stay on board and take the victory in the two following races, portly Homer huffed and puffed enjoying the rising wind in a most spectacular location took two seconds whilst the local Rawson and Hay another couple of thirds.
The weary sailors retired ashore exuberant after a days great sailing, none could disagree with Scott's claim that the the water temp "was no like the Caribbean!" but the sun did shine. Dave s ever present smile reflected on his overnight leaders status.
The intrepid catmen reassembled on Sunday morn to blue skies, 7 degrees C (it was getting warmer!) and a dying offshore breeze, after a wee while the RO's prayers were answered, the wind shifted thro 180 and came back as a healthy steady breeze, Parker and Scott shot from the start, hotly persued by Homer and the local Tornado, Homers spinnaker refused to come down timeously at the first leeward gate allowing Disco Dave to stretch his lead which he carried on to a third win, Homer second, Rawson and Hay third.
With the wind now apparently dying and forecast to do so the cat fleet by common agreement curtailed their sailing in an act of selfless self sacrifice to the wind gods, the Gods who accepting this gesture waited till the cats returned to shore and blessed the skiff fleet with a further two races in idyllic conditions.
Dave Parker Grinning like a Cheshire cat and crew Scott graciously accepted 1st overall, Homer Second and up an coming Colin Rawson and Ian Hay Third.
A great event held at a very friendly club, who even serve chips and chilly, what more can a sailor ask for?