JP Watersports RS400 Scottish Tour Round 1 at Port Edgar Yacht Club

An early start for most for the first racing event on the 2018 JP Watersports Scottish RS400 tour of the year, and a good turn out of eleven boats over the weekend, despite the poor forecast for wind. With a few of the top boats missing, it was the chance for some of the rest of the fleet to shine.

Race 1 started 2 hours late due to the wind. Some say it was to even allow Angus an opportunity to come racing, but for once he declined. The wind being very light, and only allowing slow progress against the tide, it was a day for snakes and ladders. First to fall foul were Dave and Fraser, who had sailed a cracking first beat, to only be let down with a port starboard incident with Neil and Sarah. Neil went onto win the race, and the boys slipped back to 10th.

Another hour later, and the promised sea breeze started to kick in from under the Forth Bridge. This allowed the fleet to get some hiking in for the first time of the day. The tight race was again won by Neil and Sarah, with Jamie and Neil making waves through the fleet to finish second.

Race 3 was similar to the previous one, with the pin end of the startline being favoured leading to several boats ending up in a stramash. Jon and Amanda sailed well out of the chaos to come home in first, leading Neil and Sarah in 2nd.

A few boats headed in before the 4th race, which started in the dying breeze and increasing tide. Jon and Amanda continued their good form and took the race from the other lightweight crew of Hester and Richard.

After 6 hours on the water the fleet sailed ashore, and made their way to the local curry house for food, plenty of beer, and some Eurovision dancing.

Sunday dawned with a similar to Saturday, and with colder temperatures, the threat of a see breeze did not look likely.

Race 5 started in very little wind again, and the usual snakes and ladders started again. John and Andy had decided to join for the day, and had wished they had read the Sis. Leading round the first lap, they forgot to pass through the upwind gate. Despite losing ground, they recovered well to finish 3rd. Neil and Sarah carried on their good form to win from Jon and Amanda.

Following a delay, race 6 started in the lightest of all zephyrs, but the top two switched places this time with Jon and Amanda crossing the line ahead of Neil and Sarah.

With not much wind on the horizon, the race officer called it a day to allow the boats to make it in against the tide. In the end, the winner of the weekend was decided by a single point, with Neil and Sarah pipping Jon and Amanda for the win, with Bob and Nadia rounding out the podium positions.

The next event in Scotland is the nationals at East Lothian Yacht Club on the 2nd and 3rd of June.

Overall Results: