SailingFast WASZP Scottish Nationals at Loch Lomond Sailing Club
by Rory Hunter 3 Sep 2018 19:58 BST
1-2 September 2018
SailingFast WASZP Scottish Nationals winners © Victoria Payne
On day one, after a wait on shore for breeze to fill in, the fleet launched into six knots of breeze for a couple of low riding races. Both races were highly competitive and a good opportunity for those with less foiling experience to display their racing skills.
The first race was won by Rory after a tight battle around the race course with Jamie in 2nd and Ewan 3rd. Race 2 was an interesting one with some boats briefly finding the foils on the left hand side of the beat but was ultimately won by the boats who stayed centre course and kept it low riding. Duncan came out on top with Ewan continuing his consistently good low riding form in 2nd and Joe 3rd.
A class decision was made to head to the bar after two races with a few boats staying out to practice their light wind take-offs.
Day two began with Duncan, Rory and Ewan all tied on points at the top of the leader board. The breeze filled in strong (at times!) and the fleet launched to go foiling. Both races saw tight battles at the top of the fleet between Rory and Jamie at the front of the fleet with Jamie tending to come out ahead at the top of the first beat. In race one Rory managed to come out on top after a tight gybing battle on the first run followed by the whole fleet having to hang on for lap two as the breeze gusted well over 20 knots.
Race 2 saw very inconsistent breeze and Jamie took full advantage on the first beat opening an enormous lead. Unfortunately he struggled on the first run and the fleet came charging back which shows the unpredictable nature of Waszp racing (and racing on a Loch!). The race committee started a third race where Craig got foiling early and opened up a big lead but unfortunately the breeze shut out and the race was ultimately abandoned.
Overall Results:
1st Rory Hunter
2nd Jamie Calder
3rd Ewan McClellan
Huge shout out to SailingFast for all the work put into the Waszp class and to Joe Pester for letting me cross him on Port during race four (there, I said it Joe).