Largo Bay Sailing Club Summer Regatta
by Martin Gilfoyle 28 Jun 2011 07:19 BST
25-26 June 2011
This weekend was Largo Bay Sailing Club’s annual summer regatta. There were a number of classes competing including: Standard Laser and Radial Laser which was also their Scottish Championship; Laser 2000, RS200 and Skiff Scottish Travellers respectively, the latter was largely composed of Musto Skiffs and foiling Moths with the odd 49er, Cherub, Laser Vortex, and International 14; and finally, a general handicap class which included Solos, Europes and 420s.
Roughly sixty boats registered on the Saturday morning and were greeted by flat calm seas and calm air. Racing was postponed as the forecasted wind failed to materialise as the prevailing wind and the sea breeze were having the effect of cancelling each other out.
A long delay and a wait for wind ensued and the patience of the Race Officer and the fleet was rewarded with the opportunity to get in a single race late on the Saturday afternoon. There was just enough energy expended by the sailors to work up an appetite for the evening’s beach barbecue.
Sunday was less frustrating for the sailors and saw the entire fleet take to the water for the scheduled 11am start. At the start of the first race there was a light breeze blowing from the south but shortly into the race the wind dropped and the fleet drifted to complete a shortened course. The second and third races saw the conditions improve with the wind picking up to a gentle breeze and the sea state becoming more choppy.
The Scottish Laser Championships was dominated by Largo sailors Peter Malcolm and Kevan Gibb taking first and second places respectively with Largo’s Martin Gilfoyle finishing in tenth. The Scottish Radial Championships was won by Helensburgh’s Andrew McGowan who won the last two races on Sunday.
The Scottish Skiff Traveller was dominated by Dalgety Bay sailors, Martin Wilkie and Iain McCafferty in an International 14, and Ian Renilson in a Musto Skiff, in first and second places respectively with Largo’s Alistair Reid performing well to take third place.
The RS200 was again well represented by Dalgety Bay sailors but the winners were Robbie Burns and Jamie Calder of Largs and Loch Tummel sailing clubs. The Laser 2000 Traveller was won by the well travelled Iain and Sarah Yardley from Leigh and Lowton Sailing Club with Largo’s Steve Wood and Coleman Clark finishing in fifth place. The general handicap class was won by Callum and Drew Airlie in a 420.
Some thirty or so onshore and offshore club volunteers worked hard to ensure that Largo hosted another well run event. Special mention of recognition for their efforts is due to Race Officer Jim Blyth, Commodore Lauri Taylor and Sailing Secretary Kevan Gibb. Finally, a special mention of thanks to Graham Kerr for the use of his yacht, Artic Gold, which served as the committee boat.