Scottish Junior Optimist Travellers at Bardowie Loch

Scottish Junior Optimist Travellers at Bardowie Loch © Andrew Russell

Clyde Cruising Club (Dinghy Section) were the generous hosts for the first Traveller event of the 2021/22 series, providing not only the wonderful setting of Bardowie Loch but also brilliant sunshine and more wind than expected.

The Optimist Main Fleet consisted of nine sailors, with a further three sailors making up the coached Regatta Fleet. Race 1 set the scene for the weekend with a closely contested battle between Scott Xu, Cara Russell, Andrew Perratt and Finlay Davidson seeing multiple lead changes which eventually gave rise to a first of two wins for Scott, followed by Cara, with Andrew in third and Finlay D fourth.

The second race resulted in a reversing of positions with Finlay leading over the line, Andrew coming second, Cara third, and Scott fourth....all square overall with 5 points each.

In race 3 Andrew took the win, followed by Scott with Finlay taking the last podium position.

The day ended as it started with a skilful win for Scott. An unfortunate late capsize from Andrew saw Finlay D move into 2nd and Logan Brown take 3rd. Dougal Jackson took 4th, Cara 5th & Clementine Perratt 6th. Andrew bailed valiantly to cross the line in 7th, with Blythe Brown 8th and Finlay Ritchie in 9th.

The Regatta Fleet had also completed four races with Hector Jackson dominating until the last race where Cameron Ritchie led across the line. Scarlett O'Donnell consistently sailed into 2nd place for each race.

The cooler temperatures of the next day brought lighter and shiftier conditions. The 180 degree change in wind direction led to a reversal of the previous day's course, with all marks to be rounded to starboard rather than the usual port. The Regatta Fleet showed their enthusiasm by being first to launch and Finlay D kicked off the day's racing with a first, followed by Scott and Cara.

In Race 6 Andrew expertly seized the win, with Scott a consistent second and Clementine fending off a late challenge from Finlay D.

A strong comeback from Finlay D saw him lead across the line in race 7, after a shifty wind on the second upwind beat. Scott came in second with Andrew in third.

The three leading sailors were neck and neck in the overall standings leading into a tightly competitive final race. With the wind dying further during the race, conditions were tricky, initially favouring Finlay until the downwind leg where Andrew inched in front with Scott subsequently passing Finlay who had a costly penalty turn after hitting the mark. A final push by all sailors in the last beat to the finish saw multiple lead changes however Andrew came out victorious by a narrow margin over Scott with Finlay finishing third.

Finalising of the overall result was delayed until protests were resolved, however the final result stood with Scott taking the weekend's accolades, Andrew a worthy second, Finlay D third and Cara leading the ladies and fourth overall. Logan was close in 5th, Dougal 6th, Clementine 7th. Finlay R narrowly took 8th and Blythe 9th.

Meanwhile, the Regatta Fleet's improved racing skills, thanks to coach Jennifer Wesley, were on display with Scarlett taking first in 3 of the races and Hector winning the other. Cameron stayed focussed in frustrating conditions taking third. The overall results were again very close with Hector winning, Scarlett second and Cameron third.

Thank you to Sailingfast for supplying the prizes, Clyde Cruising Club (Dinghy Section) for hosting and the parents for organising this event. See everyone at Round 2 at Loch Tummel 24/25th Sept and before that at Helensburgh for the Optimist Collective on 18/19th Sept.

Overall Results: