Scottish Optimist Travellers at Annandale Sailing Club
by Alec Logan 4 May 2011 07:45 BST
14-15 April 2011
35 Oppies from 14 Scottish sailing clubs came together for our first traveller of the season. Let’s say that again. 35 from 14! Our junior racing fleet grows remorselessly.
Annandale at spring time. Light W breeze, perfect conditions for Day One. Great competitive racing, with three different winners in four races. Jamie Calder, Alasdair Ireland, then Alasdair Logan who wins two to lead overnight. Day 2 and Jamie rockets off to win the event with two bullets. Rachel Mawer sails consistently to grab second overall. Alasdairs manage overnight arrangements less effectively.
Main fleet message of the weekend however is how challenging the front of the Scottish Oppie fleet has now become. First sailor round windward mark Race 1 was Rory Rose (A&SYC), new Scotttish North Squad sailor. Nicolo Vetta (Annandale) and Fiona Mackay (Toward SC) posted 3rds on Day 2. Well done them!
But, of course, it’s the Regatta Fleet that makes the real difference to Scottish Oppie Racing, Now That We Are Sentient. Fifteen at Annandale, carefully coached by Lynn and James. After 6 closely fought and supported races winners were Claire, Grace and Sandy. Watch out for these names.
Photos can be found on flickr.
Overall Results:
Main Fleet
1st Jamie Calder (Loch Tummel SC/Royal Forth YC)
2nd Rachel Mawer (Clyde Cruising Club)
3rd Alasdair Logan (Largs SC/Strathclyde Loch SC)
Regatta Fleet
1st Claire Holliday (Loch Tummel/Nairn SC)
2nd Grace Laverty (Helensburgh SC)
3rd Sandy Simpson (Annandale SC)
Next up:
IOCA Scotland Traveller 2, May 21-22, Dalgety Bay SC
IOCA Scotland Traveller 3, June 4-5, East Lothian YC, North Berwick
Scottish Team Championships, June 25-26, Strathclyde Loch
Scottish Nationals, July 23-24, Helensburgh
Full coach support for regatta fleet. Oppies now available in Scotland for charter and borrowing. Book that cheap flight now!
For full details Scottish Optimist Racing see www.scottish-optimists.org.uk/
Come and join us in 2011. Great racing at some of the best sailing venues in the UK.