JP Watersports RS200 Scottish Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club

Thirteen Scottish boats were joined by two northern English boats for the RS200 Scottish Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club on the 7/8 June. The Saturday was unfortunately a let-down, due to high winds preventing the fleet leaving the beach. Thankfully before the rain arrived, but not before a laugh was had by all, a few skiffs ventured out for a play.

Racing was brought forward to 09:55 on the Sunday, and the fleet were greeted with light winds and sunshine. After a short postponement the first race was started in light breeze, after the first lap a shift triggered the committee to abandon the first race.

The second race started with the same light breeze, and the fleet spread out upwind generally taking the left hand side in an attempt to get out of the increasing tide. The downwind leg was dominated by a shift, Bess and Andrew Homer made the most of it with Allan and Amy Lennox in close pursuit.

The third race was subject to the same light and shifty wind, with half the fleet working their way to the windward mark up the middle and the other aiming for breeze on the right hand side. This strategy proved successful and Martin Faulkner and Bill Forsyth were first round the windward mark, the fleet continued downwind until a windshift necessitated dropped of kites and beating to the finish.

With the North-easterly sea breeze battling the gradient South-westerly, the race officer finished racing for the weekend. Allan and Amy Lennox had however done enough to be crowned Scottish Champions for 2014 and walked away with the trophy. Bess and Andrew Homer put in a solid performance to finish second with Phil/Naomi Smith from Bassenthwaite Sailing Club third. With a great turnout from all over the country the Scottish boats are looking forward to the one day event at Prestwick sailing club on 21 June and the Eurocup event at Garda.

Overall Results: