Sailability Scotland SCIO T5 Challenger Regatta 2019 at Bardowie Loch
by Dorothy Bennett 20 Aug 2019 21:08 BST
17-18 August 2019
Sailability Scotland SCIO T5 Regatta at Bardowie Loch © Bob Balmer
Regatta five of six in the Challenger Traveller Series took place at Bardowie Loch, near Milngavie which is the home of Clyde Cruising Club (Dinghy Section) on the 17th and 18th August 2019. The event was supported by Duncan's Yacht Chandlers in Glasgow.
Eight Challenger boats started on Saturday, with six Challengers competing in the Scottish Traveller series and two Challengers were sailed by club cadets. The racing started on Saturday with blustery Force 4 - 5 onshore winds making even launching difficult. At times the wind succeeded in blowing a couple of competitors to the side of the loch but as usual the Challenger trimaran rose to the occasion and really performed at its best in the strong wind.
The six competitors Duncan Greenhalgh, Alex Hodge, Ronnie Cameron, Dorothy Bennett, Jim Donaldson and Stephen Laycock all approached the start in absolutely ideal conditions, plenty of wind no rain and relatively little chop on the water for the first race. Bardowie Loch is compact and consequently the markers were close to the corners of the Loch making for exciting jostling when more than one boat approached a marker at the same time.
All competitors pushed hard in all the races, and the Challengers ability to stay upright in even extreme conditions meant some very fast racing with positions changing frequently.
With two races back to back before lunch and one afterwards before the weather closed in, it appeared Duncan Greenhalgh had done enough to be favourite for first place but the positions for the rest of the fleet could go to anyone, leaving all to play for on the Sunday.
The evening saw all competitors and a few club members getting together at a local restaurant for a lovely meal and a lively conversation around the days sailing.
On Sunday the Challengers were joined by the Hansa 303s using the same course with just 5 minute delay on the start line. The weather was just as exciting with the SW winds gusting 18 - 22 knots only slightly down for the first race. The very changeable and blustery conditions favoured the more experienced sailors with the young pretenders struggling to compete as well on the 2nd day. It was great to see two classes of boats racing.
Winners were presented with trophies and T Shirts by Club stalwart Hugh McLean. In first place was Duncan Greenhalgh (Bassenthwaite SC), second Alex Hodge (CCC) and third place Ronnie Cameron (CCC)
Sailability Scotland SCIO would like to thank Clyde Cruising Club for hosting the event and extend thanks to the launch crew and catering team without whose help the races could not have taken place. We would also like to thank Mr Boyd Tunnock MBE for his continued support of disabled sailing.
For more information on disabled sailing in Scotland please visit www.sailabilityscotland.org.uk or email