Sonar Nationals at Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club
by Ewan Mackay 2 Sep 2009 08:08 BST
29-30 August 2009
The Sonar UK nationals are held on the Clyde © David Denholm
With 11 boats entered for the National championships, it was promising to be a good weekend racing, all be it the weather forecast was for some strong winds for the whole weekend.
Saturday dawned to a good strong breeze blowing steadily over 20 knots, which was definitely enough to blow the cobwebs away. Thanks to an efficient race management team the racing got under way on time, and with a clean start, the fleet was off and racing. It was defending champions Simon
Barter and his crew of Bertie that were to carry on their winning ways, showing us the way round the course and taking the first race, with Colin Burnett and the crew of Carpe Diem showing early form in second and John Robertson and his crew on Chimera in Third. The race was however not without its victims, as some heavy squalls came through topping 35 knots, taking out a spinnaker on Grouse and a boom on Prelude. Who managed to finish the race under jib only (well done guys).
After one general recall the next race got under way, this time it was Chimera who was to lead the way round with Bertie in second and Carpe Diem in third. However, again with some heavy squalls coming through, there was a series of minor breakages which forced 5 boats to retire, at this
point the Race Officer decided that enough was enough and all further racing for the day was cancelled (back to the bar for lunch).
Sunday dawned with some much better weather, the front had blown through and we had some sunshine and a good breeze.
The racing was good and close with 4 races completed in the day. At the end of the weekend it was John Robertson and the crew of Chimera showing the best form scoring 3 firsts, 2 seconds and a third to take the overall victory. They were followed closely by Simon Barter and the crew of Bertie and in third Ewan Mackay and the crew of Haggis.
The Clyde Sonar Association would like to thank the Royal Northern and Clyde YC, DRB Marine and all of the helpers for organising, sponsoring and running the event.
Overall Results:
1st Chimera – J.Robertson
2nd Bertie – S.Barter
3rd Haggis – E.Mackay
4th Grouse – S.Pender
5th Carpe Diem – C.Burnett