Please select your home edition
Edition
Ovington 2021 - ILCA 3 - LEADERBOARD

Scottish Oppie Traveller 1 at Annandale Sailing Club

by Alec Logan 6 Apr 2009 07:48 BST 4-5 April 2009
18 Oppies assembled for the first Scottish Oppie traveller of the season © Alec Logan

18 Oppies assembled for the first Scottish Oppie traveller of the season. Heady times for Scottish junior racing, especially for Oppies, where numbers have quadrupled over the winter to over 40 boats at 16 clubs. Our rock-stars were on their AngloDutchItalian GBR tour, but new shiny helms and boats debuted.

Annandale a perfect early season venue, a ruined Robert the Bruce castle in a copse at one end of the loch, and a Bronze Age crannog at the other. A club pulling out all the stops, and everyone joining in.

Saturday, Races 1 to 3, NW 3-4 and blustery, grey and occasionally moist. Jamie Calder (Loch Tummel SC) nailed all three starts, sailing with lovely balance, like Anna Burrnett in her Oppie prime, and won three opening races. Jack Gillespie (Royal Gourock YC) a solid second. Angus Johnstone (Annandale) pushing hard for third podium place against Scottish Squad sailors Rachel Mawer and Sophie Taylor (both Clyde Cruising Club). Some big squalls latterly with several sailors in the reed beds which were wet but soft.

On Sunday, champagne sailing (or Irn Bru sailing as we call it in these parts). Westerly force 2-3, glorious spring sunshine. In Race 4, Jamie led from start to finish, pushed hard all the way by Angus. Race 5 Jamie port tacked the fleet at the start then went too far right, allowing Angus, then Sophie into the lead. Jamie rallied by the windward mark and led to the finish, Angus second, Jack easing past Sophie for third. Jack second in Race 6 to pip Sophie into third overall.

What of the regatta fleet? Saturday challenging, though one race completed and won by Alasdair Ireland (Toward SC). On Sunday regatta fleet had the broadest smiles on the water. Alasdair-One-To-Watch won all three races, closely pursued by Nicolo Vetta (Annandale), second overall. Hamish Taylor (CCC), first event, racing the far-famed Tickety Boo, took third. Well done to Christopher Crokett (Loch Lomond SC), narrowly pipped for third, Rebecca Bryant (Annandale) who completed her first race, as did Drew Mitchell (Annandale), sailing a borrowed fibreglass racing Oppie for the first time. The Oppie, Drew, is the junior racing platform of choice, nest ce pas? Great weekend all round and roll on Trav 2 at Venacher, APR 24-25.

Thanks again to Annandale Sailing Club, and to RYAS junior racing coaches Lynn Crichton and James Logan who coached the regatta fleet and spent some time covered in slime.

No thanks to Scottish Oppie Official Pointer Puppy, Sally, who chased oystercatchers all day, which is fine, but who chewed through the camcorder charging lead, not so good. Regatta sailors are invited to suggest ways in which Sally can be both chastised and re-educated!

Overall Results:

Main Fleet
1 Jamie Calder, GBR 4647 (Loch Tummel SC)
2 Jack Gillespie, GBR 4974 (Royal Gourock Yacht Club)
3 Sophie Taylor, GBR tbc (Clyde Cruising Club)

Regatta Fleet
1 Alasdair Ireland, GBR 5708 (Toward SC)
2 Nicolo Vetto, GBR 5878 (Annandale SC)
3 Hamish Taylor, GBR 4130 (Clyde Cruising Club)

Full results and more information about Scottish Oppie Racing at www.scottish-optimists.org.uk

Related Articles

Red Ribbon Regatta at Hayling Island
After a course designed to gently introduce young sailors to the world of racing Led by expert Race Coach Melvyn Cooper, the programme prioritises building children's self-confidence and sailing ability, offering a positive, encouraging route into competitive sailing. Posted on 27 Jul
Angola hosts International Optimist Team Racing
Regatta in Celebration of 50 Years of Independence Luanda recently hosted the Angola Optimist Team Racing International Regatta, a premier youth sailing event celebrating the 50th anniversary of Angola's independence. Posted on 25 Jul
Angola Optimist International Team Racing Regatta
Officially setting sail today in Luanda The Angola Optimist International Team Racing Regatta officially set sail today in Luanda, marking the start of an exciting competition that brings together young sailors from Angola, Portugal, and Mozambique. Posted on 19 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
KSSA Mid Season Training Camp & Regatta at Downs
Testing conditions and top talent in Kent Downs Sailing Club, nestled on the exposed coastline of Deal, Kent, delivered a weekend of demanding conditions, standout performances, and high-energy racing as it hosted the latest round of the Kent Schools Sailing Association Mid-Summer Regatta. Posted on 14 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted on 11 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 overall
A weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais The 6th edition of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy came to a close this Sunday after a weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais. Posted on 7 Jul
Cambs Youth League at Ely Sailing Club
Breaking from the past few years' precedent, it was a breezy day! On Saturday 5 July, it was Ely's turn to host a round of the Cambs Youth League. The league is a collaboration between 5 local clubs to promote friendly sailing for cadets up to 19. Posted on 7 Jul
Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open Preview
Registration is open and visitors are very welcome Registration is open for this year's Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open on Sunday the 13th of July. Visitors are very welcome to come and enjoy the clubs facilities while watching the racing from CYC's lawns. Posted on 3 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun