Scottish Solos Travellers' Series at Clyde Cruising Club's Bardowie Loch

Scottish Solo Traveller at CCC Bardowie prizewinners © Hugh McLean

Coast to Coast's Kevan Gibb presenting Nigel Ford with a new sail after the Scottish Solo Traveller at CCC Bardowie © Hugh McLean

The Scottish Solos gathered at the Clyde Cruising Club's Bardowie Loch for the first of the HD Sails sponsored Travellers' Series.

The event started with Coast to Coast Riggings Kevan Gibb presenting Nigel Ford of St Andrews SC with a brand new HD sail, Nigel won the sail at last years AGM, his name being draw from those who took part in four or more events during the 2017 season.

After a short postponement, the 22 boats sailed out to a sunny south westerly breeze which as the Loch runs east to west made it difficult for Race Officer Jenny Kirk to set a course with a true beat.

Race one got under way with the expected large wind shifts and gusts, this caused many place changes which was to be the order of the day, after four laps David Sword of the home club took first from Hamish Whyte of the RYA who was followed by Fergus Duncanson again of the CCC.

Race two once again got away to a clean start, this was one again a game of snakes and ladders with Hamish taking the win from Largo Bays Kevan Gibb in his brand new Winder with Ali Gordon of the home club in third.

There was a slight delay in starting race three as the wind swung to the south and the course had to be reset, during this operation the rescue boats were called into action as the assistant race officer fell off the committee boat, Martin who does not want to be mentioned, finished resetting the course before going ashore to dry out. Once again the race got off to a clean start with again a lot of place changing as the wind varied in speed and direction, Kevan took first to win the event on the countback, Kevan was followed home by team Davies, Alison taking second and father Richard in third, both sailing at their home club and both sailing the oldest boats in the fleet.

The fleet retired ashore to consume some of William Swords fine pies and attend the prizegiving where winner Kevan was presented with a bottle of Bardowie Gin by Alison Hazell of the distillers. Hamish Whyte took second from David Sword, Alison Davies winning the prize for first lady Thanks goes to Hazell and Hazell for the donating first prize, David Sword for the soup and pies and Andy and Jim at HD for the series sponsorship.

Overall Results: