RS400 Scottish Tour Round 2 at Loch Tummel Sailing Club

RS400 Scottish Tour at Loch Tummel © LTSC

RS400 Scottish Tour at Loch Tummel © LTSC

RS400 Scottish Tour at Loch Tummel © LTSC

In the early part of the week beforehand, the forecast was apocalyptic. By Thursday it had moderated slightly - but, rather than make a decision, it was decided to defer until Friday.

Friday came, with no material change in the forecast - the 'committee' dithered but ultimately, perhaps unduly under the influence of optimism, made the decision to go ahead.

Saturday dawned and Chris Dowie, camping at the club, was providing reports, and photographic evidence, of surprisingly benign conditions - despite these reassurances, the fleet of 7 boats that assembled was significantly down on the c. dozen anticipated - most surprisingly, was the bailing out of Richard 'Mr Motivator' Bolton - will he ever live this down?

As the boats were rigged and the briefing was held, the wind built and it became clear that the conditions were going to be anything but benign. In the first race, many went for a swim but the Wormit boys (Dave Webley and Fraser Mulford) secured first blood followed by Keith Bedborough and Hannah McCrew Robertson second and Chris Dowie with Ben Gibson, a Hannah procured and delivered Edinburgh Uni SC escapee, in third.

The wind continued to build for the second race and there were more casualties with the first two positions from the 1st race reversed and Phil Britton (wisely electing not to bring his new boat) with Jules 'mk2' Beck, another EUSC escapee, managed to stay upright to finish 3rd. The 3rd race started in conditions which can only be described as bonkers - thankfully, it was sensibly abandoned before anyone got more than halfway up the beat and the fleet, in complete disarray, was called in for lunch and tall story swapping.

Of course the wind duly abated and lulled us into a false sense of security - ever keen, first back out were Keith and Hannah at which point the weather gods decided to turn the big fan back on and as they two sail reach across the loch only the sails and lots of spray could be seen. Once the wind had dropped somewhat, the Wormit boys and Phil and Jules mk2 ventured out to join them. Chris and Ben along with Graham Henry and Fi Grieve opted for an early shower whilst Martin Booth made the switch to a windsurfer.

At the re-start of the 3rd race Phil and Jules mk2 found themselves OCS and went back (on account of being the most visibly over...). Keith and Hannah won again with the Wormit boys in 2nd.

Having secured 3rd overall, Phil and Jules mk2 left the remaining two boats to fight it out between themselves in the 4th and final race in semi-bonkers conditions. Once again, Keith and Hannah prevailed to take the overall win with the Wormit boys snapping at their heels in 2nd overall.

Over the course of the 4 races, the number of RTD or DNC boats went 1, 2, 4, 5 which confirms it was quite hard going. So, the very tired and battered but exhilarated RS400 sailors were happy to have made the trip (apart possibly from John MacKenzie and Any Box who sustained a damaged foredeck and left with a notably banana shaped mast) and were very grateful for the welcoming hospitality, faultless race management and ample rescue cover from LTSC - we'll be back.