RYA Scotland Champions Club and Windward Mark Trophies

Christine Wood on her way to taking the prize for first novice in the Topper Class during the RYA Scotland Champions Club and Windward Mark Trophies © Matt Toynbee

Topper start during the RYA Scotland Champions Club and Windward Mark Trophies © Matt Toynbee

Undeterred by a forecast of strong winds and heavy rain over thirty hardy sailors arrived at Loch Lomond Sailing Club for the RYA Scotland Champions Club Trophy. Sailors came from a range of champion clubs across of Scotland to compete for the converted Trophy, with the strong Clyde Cruising Club team keen to retain their title and take the trophy back to Bardowie Loch where they will host next year's event.

This event serves as an excellent introduction for sailors taking the first steps towards travelling to events and competing outside of their home club. The day is very much focused on these sailors with an emphasis on the fun and coaching side of the day as well as the competition itself. Once registration was completed the sailors where split into two groups with the RYA Scotland Coaches leading a morning of race training out on the water. With a gusty and increasing wind forecast sailors enjoyed a short session on the water before the approach of a nasty looking squall caused the coaches send sailors for an early lunch. This rapid increase in breeze gave an exhilarating ride for many of the sailors as they blasted back towards the slipway.

The afternoon looked set to continue with a similar pattern of breeze so the fleets were split to race out on the course in two separate groups. Those optimists who launched for the afternoon made the sailing look easy during one of the bigger lulls of the day with Henry leading the fleet home but a freshening breeze as the toppers and fevas launched proved the squally conditions had certainly not gone away. Battling through the squall and it's torrential rain gave the toppers and fevas a great chance to apply some of the skills learnt in the morning. With Calum in the toppers showing that a reefed boat sailed in control can pay dividends taking the race. In the feva class Emma and Robbie were determined to use their kite and opening up a considerable lead had enough of a cushion for a brief hull inspection at the final leeward mark.

A big congratulations to all of the sailors for demonstrating some great sailing in very challenging conditions, and to Clyde Cruising Club (Dinghy Section) for winning the overall trophy for the second year in a row. Thank you to all of the volunteers at Loch Lomond Sailing Club for making it a great event and in particular to Jamie Crocket for arranging the event and Iain Hill for taking on the role of Race Officer and for generously donating the trophy for the Feva Class.

Clyde Cruising Club (Dinghy Section) with the Champions Club Trophy at the RYA Scotland Champions Club and Windward Mark Trophies - photo © Matt Toynbee

Overall Results: