Scottish IOM Travellers Event at Brechin Model Yacht Club

A Topiko design racing in the Scottish Travellers event at Brechin © Colin McGinnis

A Widget design racing in the Scottish Travellers event at Brechin © Colin McGinnis

The steady increase in participation at IOM Scottish Travellers continued with 22 skippers from all of the 6 clubs in the Scottish District turning up to sail at Brechin in the third event of the series.

Boyd Baird who was a late substitute for Race Officer had his work cut out to contend with organising the large entry into heats and to deal with an awkward wind that was forecast as strong from the north but was in fact shifty and from the south.

Racing started with seeding races using the starting advantage system developed over the past couple of years giving 10 of the less experienced skippers a 20 second advantage at the start.

Richard Costigan sailing his newly acquired Lintel was delighted to win the first seeding race and Steve Taylor sailing his self built Zig Zag continued his recent form to win the other.

Racing continued over the morning with skippers gradually getting to grips with the wind and the topography of the Brechin lake. Racing was very competitive which meant there were often close calls or bumps at the start and at the windward marks. Scratch sailors were finding it hard to catch those with starting advantages.

Hugh Shields sailing his own Wee McShee design got off to a good start with enough top three finishes to lose his starting advantage. He went into the lunch break in the lead followed by Steve Taylor, Colin McGinnis, Ian Dundas, John Matheson and Richard Costigan.

After lunch the wind strengthened and swung back to a Northerly direction requiring the course to be reversed. Like the wind there was a reversal of fortunes as some of the early leaders dropped back and others found their form.

In the end Ian Dundas with his Widget won the event posting a very consistent run of results. John Matheson came second and there was only 2 points separating 3rd to 5th Ali Law, Robert Rooney and Steve Taylor which demonstrated how close the racing had been. Prizes were also awarded to Dick McBride and Jimmy Rodgers for their improved performance combined with good sportsmanship.

Overall Results: