East Lothian Yacht Club Regatta

East Lothian Yacht Club in North Berwick held its' annual regatta on 10 & 11 June 2000 with kind support from The Bank of Scotland. The event attracted a record turnout of 215 boats, made up of 210 dinghies and 5 keelboats. The event included the Laser, Laser Radial and Catamaran Scottish Championships and Travellers Trophy events for Optimists, Toppers, Solos, Enterprises, Albacores, Fireballs, RS400s, RS200s, Laser 4000s, Laser EPSs and International 14s.

Racing took place on two courses, roughly split into the quicker boats and the slower boats. Optimists, Toppers, Solos, Enterprises, Laser Radials and Albacores joined the handicap fleet on the west bay course with the rest racing in the East bay. Although the wind was up and down during the early part of the afternoon, race one was sailed in around 15 knots of South Westerly wind. The wind remained at 15 knots for the start of the second race but started to build as the race progressed. By the time the later finishers were approaching the line the wind was above 25 knots with 30 knots gusts wreaking havoc, particularly the bigger boats. The rescue team handled the day perfectly and no-one had any cause for concern. The third race was cancelled and boats from both courses were sent ashore.

The early finish on the water meant an early start in the bar. The catering team coped manfully with the early arrival of the hungry hordes and fed around 500 people in under an hour. With a band in the marquee behind the clubhouse and hundreds of competitors determined to enjoy themselves, a great night was had by all.

Sunday morning dawned with the wind blowing even harder than at the point of abandonment the previous afternoon. With over 30 knots on the race areas, many competitors were relieved to see the abandonment flag hoisted at 10.00am. People were given time to de-rig and pack up and were then fed and watered in time for the prize giving. Many thanks go to all those who help make the event such a success and to those from outside the club who offered their support, particularly those who bolstered the rescue boat fleet.

Overall Results:

Cat Scottish:
1. Tornado, Ed Bisset & Jackie Miles, Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC
2. Hurricane 5.9, Hamish Ramsay & Stewart Buchan, Royal Tay YC
3. Nacra 6.0, Peter Russell & Dave Harcourt

Laser Scottish:
1 Peter Malcolm, ASYC
2. Mark Goalen, East Lothian YC
3. John Colegrave, ASYC

Laser Radial Scottish:
1. Charles Frize, Clyde Cruising Club
2. Murray Whyte, St Andrews SC
3. Ian MacLean, Royal Forth YC

Optimist:
1. Luke Patience, Royal Northern & Clyde YC
2. Charlotte Dobson, RNCYC
3. Andrew Conn Derwent Water SC

Topper:
1. John Garth, West Kirby YC
2. David Garth, WKYC
3. Campbell Davidson, Largs SC

Enterprise:
1. Charles Willoughby & Ross McKeffachal, St Marys Loch SC
2. Lawrence Young & Ian Brown, Forfar SC
3. Annie & Kirsty McSeveney, StMLSC

Fireball:
1. Peter Hay & Euan Sellars, RTYC
2. Donald Smith & Margaret Ponsonby, ASYC
3. Matt Summers & Liam Sullivan, Wormit BC

RS400:
1. Gavin Fleming & Barry McNichol, Dalgety Bay SC
2. Ian Ellis & Claire Buchan, Royal Findhorn YC
3. Robbie Wilson & Jenny Dick, DBSC

RS200:
1. Steve Dunn & Ben Robertson, Stewertby Water SC
2. Katie Masterson & Jo Foulkes, StMLSC
3. Mike & Walker Wares, Largo Bay YC

Laser 4000:
1. Sandy McPhail & Andrew Marshall, DBSC
2. Ronald Miller & Gillian Hooter, DBSC
3. David &  Jackie Gebhard, DWSC

Laser EPS:
1. Peter Taylor
2. Peter Burnett, DBSC
3. Ian McGonigal, ELYC

Solo:
1. Craig Moffat, Montrose SC
2. Ian McCullough, Loch Venacher SC
3. David Lumbard, ELYC

International 14:
1. Rob Storrar & Nick Kincaid, Tynemouth SC
2. Howard Stevenson & Ian Turnbull, TSC
3. Tony Lewis & Alistair McKay, TSC.

Albacore:
1. Crawford Reid & Martin, Strathclyde Loch SC

Handicap:
1. RS300, Andy Hutchison, DBSC
2. RS600, Richard Cumming, LVSC
3. Wayfarer, Peter & Alison Bolt, ELYC

Cruiser:
1. Hakuna Matata, George Day, ELYC
2. Baloo, Gerry Hughes, ELYC
3. Meltemi, Alistair Anderson, ELYC