Solo Traveller at Loch Ard Sailing Club
by David Lumbard 24 Sep 2006 11:33 BST
16 September 2006
An excellent turnout of 18 Solos attended the penultimate event of the 2006 travellers series at Loch Ard. The day started with a light SE air, which held surprisingly steady for races 1 & 2 which were sailed back to back.
Geoff Henstridge who was sailing a Solo for the first time, in Patick Burns' boat 'Zimmerman', won these two races with great aplomb. The Gibb brothers Kevan & Derek provided the main opposition taking a 2nd place each, with close racing and much place changing throughout the fleet.
After a break ashore the fleet relaunched in almost still conditions. The first attempt at a start resulted in a general recall, and on the restart Geoff was early and had to rectify this. However he soon returned to contest the lead with Kevan, and they stretched out quite a distance from the rest, with Kevan finishing first and Geoff second. In the still conditions with cloud hanging low over the loch and the fleet gently drifting, a piper struck up on the banks giving the event a particularly ethereal quality.
As usual this popular event was most enjoyable, efficiently run with friendly hospitality.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club |
|---|
| 1st | 4572 | Geoff Henstridge | Pentland Firth |
| 2nd | 4517 | Kevan Gibb | Largo Bay |
| 3rd | 4524 | Derek Gibb | Largo Bay |
| 4th | 4351 | Graham Keir | Newburgh |
| 5th | 4212 | Gordon Tosh | Montrose |