Scottish Skiff Grand Prix at Kielder Water Sailing Club
by Ian Renilson 25 Apr 2006 09:04 BST
22-23 April 2006
Ross McKerracher & Stuart Gardiner in their RS800 during the Scottish Skiff event at Kielder Water © Alan Henderson /
www.fotoboat.com
The first event of the 2006 Trident-UK Scottish Skiff Grand Prix Series got off to a cracking start at Kielder Water on 22/23 April, with an excellent turnout of 32 entries from 10 different skiff classes, ranging from an ISO to an 18 foot skiff, and including 15 Musto Skiffs.
In a wide range of conditions the overall results had 4 different classes in the top 6 with no one class dominating, which proves the value of drawing together all the similar skiff classes.
Saturday was cold & gusty, and the wind grew during the day to be a good force 6 by the end - which was a bit much for some this early in the season! 4 races were scheduled each day, but on Sunday the wind dropped off and only one could be sailed.
In the stronger winds the Musto Skiffs and Vortexes were tussling at the front, both represented by current and recent National Champions, but in the lighter winds the Vortexes fell away and the International 14 came into contention.
After a poor 7th place in the first race, Richard Stenhouse (Musto Skiff, Rutland) woke up and dominated the remaining races, scoring 3 firsts and a second on handicap in a wide range of conditions.
The Vortexes of Phil Whitehead & Keith Escritt fought it out for 2nd & 3rd overall, with Whitehead just coming out ahead.
4th place went to the Musto Skiff of Ian Trotter (Derwent), who won one race, but was black flagged in the last race of Saturday.
5th place was the sole RS800 of Ross McKercher & Stuart Gardiner from Dalgety Bay, and 6th place went to Gavins Homer & Mackinnon in the leading International 14 (Dalgety Bay).
Perhaps the most unfortunate competitor was Ian Renilson (Musto Skiff, Dalgety Bay), who scored a first and two seconds, but also had a last place due to gear failure whilst leading the race - which he had to count through also getting a Black Flag in the last race of Saturday.
Overall Results:
1. Richard Stenhouse (Musto Skiff, Rutland) 7; 1; 2; 1; 1 (5)
2. Phil Whitehead, (Vortex, Yorkshire Dales) 2; 4; 3; 3; 9 (12)
3. Keith Escritt (Vortex, Yorkshire Dales) 4; 3; 4; 2; 8 (13)
4. Ian Trotter (Musto Skiff, Derwent) 3; 6; 1; BFD; 5 (15)
5. Ross McKercher & Stuart Gardiner (RS800, Dalgety Bay) 8; 5; 5; 4; 7 (21)
6. Gavins Homer & Mackinnon (International 14, Dalgety Bay) 5; 7; 7; BFD; 3 (22)
First Lady: Kit Stenhouse (Musto Skiff, Rutland) - 7th
First Junior: Fergus & Tom Holland (29er, Kielder) - 10th