T1 Challenger Traveller Series at Galloway Activity Centre, Loch Ken
by Dik Toulson 29 Apr 10:10 BST
27-28 April 2019
The first regatta of the traveller series in Scotland took place at the weekend and was hosted by Richard Herman and the Galloway Activity Centre (GAC) on Loch Ken. Whilst the venue is known to be welcoming and well organised with help from Peter Hammond and Chris Nurney from Solway YC, the weather was always going to play its hand.
And the weather did not disappoint. The good news is, there was no rain on either of the race days, but make no mistake, the wind nearly cancelled Saturday for being too strong. The Challengers are great boats to sail with no risk of capsize and this was demonstrated with some great racing in challenging conditions. Despite the conditions being on the limit for sailing, all six boats took to the water. At the end of the day all the sailors looked exhausted and had been put through the wringer by the wind.
And whilst Sunday also had great racing in challenging conditions it was because there was virtually no wind. The racing was postponed for an hour and the gentlest of breezes came and went.
Regardless of the conditions the cream always rises to the top and it was Duncan Greenhalgh that managed the polar opposite conditions by winning every race over the weekend.
Overall Results:
1st Duncan Greenhalgh
2nd Alex Hodge
3rd Ronnie Cameron
1st Lady Ann Ritchie
The launching and recovery of the boats was undertaken by Ronnie Ritchie, Jean Watson and Julie Callan plus the willing staff at GAC, many thank to all of them.
The next round on 11 & 12 May is being hosted by Castle Semple SC. If you would like more information on the Traveller series please visit www.sailabilityscotland.org.uk. Sailability Scotland SCIO is supported by Boyd Tunnock MBE, Icom and the Bruce Wake Trust.