Solo Traveller at Loch Earn Sailing Club

20 entries for the Loch Earn Solo Traveller © David Lumbard

20 entries for the Loch Earn Solo Traveller © David Lumbard

Last year's traveller at Loch Earn proved to be a very popular and exciting event with viscious squalls coming down the loch, so what about this year? Well, an even bigger turnout of 20 Solos and much the same conditions! Initially the wind seemed to moderate to F4 with some sun shining, but once kitted up the sun disappeared and the wind picked up to F5-6 from the West, and with quite choppy water. Two of the fleet set out with reduced rigs, Derek Braid with a diminutive B plan and Charles Crawford with a Europe sail(!)

Geoff Henstridge had shown an instinctive winning touch in the light airs at Loch Ard, now we were to see how he managed in the opposite extreme. Kevan Gibb in a borrowed Thresher won the first race with Geoff second and Nigel Orkney in his P3 boats Solo 'Oochychacha' third. Interestingly Derek finished ahead of several of the A plan rigs, and Charles was well up the fleet until he came to grief on the last lap. There were several retirements and the competitors were given a break while rescues were completed, before going out for race2.

The wind dropped to a F4 for much of the second race, which Geoff won with Kevan second and Barrie McLean in his newly acquired Thresher 'Refresher' third. Derek was joined in the B plan set by David Lumbard who swapped to a B plan after race1. Another short break and back out for race3, which was won again by Geoff with Nigel second and Kevan third. By the end of this race the wind was a full F6 and the warm clubhouse beckoned!

The event was most efficiently run both ashore and afloat, with the rescue crews given plenty to do. This rounded off the 2006 travellers series with Kevan the overall winner for the second year running, Nigel second and Barrie third in his 'rookie' year.

Overall Results: