Gael Force Marine Findhorn Week
by Ian Ellis 23 Jul 2014 08:45 BST
14-18 July 2014
Gael Force Marine Findhorn Week 2014 © Colin Johnston
After a successful regatta weekend Findhorn week sponsored by Gael Force Marine started on Monday the 14th July with a good turn out of 58 boats. The boats were split into Fast, medium and slow handicap, RS Feva and RS400 classes, with all classes sailing on the same course in the sheltered waters of Findhorn Bay.
The week is a great mixture of fun on and off the water with racing Monday, Tuesday and Thursday to decide class winners with a championship decider on Friday. Interspersed with the sailing are activities and events for all of the family.
Monday started with the crabbing competition with entries from all age groups. The crabs did not know what had hit them with 82 crabs caught in 20 minutes. After a short break for lunch and a change everybody was back for the first 2 races in a brisk Force 3-4 which slowly dropped throughout the races. With tight racing in all of the classes and a quick turn around between the races the 2 races were completed in good time with the front runners in each class being established. After a quick shower everybody was back to the sailing club for the commodores reception with drinks and nibbles and a chance to meet up with competitors and families both new and old.
Tuesday morning dawned dry and warm and saw games on the beach with over 100 people either competing or spectating. Teams of 5 of all ages competed in a range of events from football to welly wanging. Again a quick change and lunch before Tuesdays reaching in a tricky westerly wind. Not the favoured direction as the wind comes over the Culbin forest and leads to large wind shifts and gusts. This lead to a few capsizes as a gentle potter turned into a full on plane or swim at the flick of a switch. After a change and quick tea everybody was back in the club house for the quiz which saw the club house packed to the rafters with again more than 100 entrants.
Wednesday is the so called "rest day". There was no regatta race planned but it seems to be far from a day of rest with a golf competition in the morning a fun sail race a triathlon for kids, youths and adults, a duck race and a games night in the evening.
Thursday was sunny and with a lighter wind would have been a great day to relax but serious competition was to be had on the beach with the sandcastle competition. With a commonwealth theme the competition was hot with lions and stadium, sculptures and castles. The sailing was run in a beautiful force 2, perfect conditions for everybody to enjoy. The tide in the first race made it tricky particularly for the slower boats but the final series races were completed ready for the division into the 2 fleets for Friday. After racing was the much anticipated Findhorn's got Talent with entries from young to old, truly talented to wishful. A great night was had by all.
Friday dawned with beautiful sunshine and a building breeze. This did not put of Captain Blue and his band of young treasure hunters from hunting the shores of Findhorn bay for their treasure, or the youth orienteers who raced around the village looking for way-points. After lunch the final races of the week were scheduled. With 2 classes, the Four Seasons trophy race competed for by the top few from each class during the week and the best of the rest race. By this time the wind had reached a Force 4-5 and with wind against tide there was a large chop in the bay. There was many a capsize and plenty of retirements but the 2 RS400's showed the rest of the fleet a clean pair of heels to finish 1st and 2nd.
The week finished with prize giving in the sunshine for all of the events during the week including the sailing and last chance to see friends both old and new.
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