MYA Scottish District IOM Travellers 3 at Aberdeen Model Yacht Club
by John Owens 15 Sep 2015 12:40 BST
12 September 2015
The third and final Scottish District IOM Travellers event of 2015 was held at Knockburn Sports Loch hosted by Aberdeen Model Yacht Club. With both the individual event and overall 2015 Scottish Travellers results at stake, there was much to play for.
Nine skippers from six Scottish clubs were greeted with a brisk south-south easterly wind calling for #2 rigs. The course was a windward-leeward with a windward spreader mark (all taken to port) and a leeward gate. The key challenges were picking the most advantageous end of the start line to get into the wind channels and then to efficiently round the distant (and optically challenging!) windward mark. To add a twist and keep the skippers on their toes, the course required three course roundings rather than the usual two.
In addition, despite the sterling weed management efforts of Aberdeen Model Yacht Club and Knockburn Sports Loch over several months, some weed was present on the course. During the day all skippers suffered the occasional frustration of being well placed in a race and then being affected by weed.
The combination of wind, course and number of roundings provided the desired interest, challenge and competitive racing for the single fleet. Skippers had to watch for shifts and hope the lifts paid rather than provide false hope. In addition, downwind gust management became more important as the wind strength grew.
By halfway through the morning session, the forecast heavy rain arrived accompanied by a further wind increase. This combination necessitated a change in attire for the skippers and race team alike as well as a change down to the smaller #3 rig. For some skippers, the use of their #3 rig was a novelty and took a few races to sort-out and optimal set-up whilst still coping with the challenging conditions. Nevertheless, there was excellent competitive racing and throughout the morning five different skippers recorded a first place.
Following a badly needed restorative lunch, the afternoon was characterised as battling the challenging wind and rain conditions. Inevitably there were gear failures and Tich Summers, Steve Taylor and Ian Thompson were unfortunately forced to retire. Throughout, David Stewart was putting in a steady string of consistent results and Richard Ennos with his own designed and constructed wooden boat continued to be competitive. Steve Herridge and Sandy Mackay kept on grafting away and never gave up. However, the Ian Dundas attraction to weed declined as the day continued and he was able to collect a string of bullets while Richard Rowan seemed to take on the mantle of weed gatherer.
By late afternoon the wind had become more easterly resulting in a changed course with spreaders at both the windward and leeward mark (all taken to port), three roundings but finishing on the run. Two races were run on this course before racing came to an end (with a sigh of relief in some cases!). The skippers then retired to pack away their equipment and wring out their waterproofs. It was noteworthy that nearly every skipper recorded at least one result in the top three.
Race Officer John Owens gave a vote of thanks on behalf of Aberdeen Model Yacht Club and the Scottish District skippers to Knockburn Sports Loch for their support in running the event. Scorer David Smith then announced the event results with prizes being presented by Mr Tom Wilson from Knockburn Sports Loch.
Thanks to the Race Team: John Owens, David Smith, Cathy Reid and Steve Taylor.
Top 6 placings:
1. I Dundas, Aberdeen, Britpop, 14pts
2. R Rowan, Greenock, Cheinz, 35pts
3. D Stewart, Tayside, Viper, 42pts
4. R Ennos, Levenhall, Classic II, 46pts
5. B Summers, Tayside, Buzz II, 49pts
6. S Mackay, Kinghorn, Pikanto, 60pts