HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Loch Ard Sailing Club

Scottish Solo Travellers at Loch Ard © Robert Signer

Loch Ard was the scene for the last of the HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers for 2021, a venue the class usually end the season at.

This year the loch level was high meaning launching was tricker than normal with the drive to the club partially flooded. The cloud level was very low and it was damp with light winds, not ideal. Whilst the wind was generally from the South there were puffs from every direction over the day.

Race 1 started with a big starboard bias and Keith Milroy came out in front, making a welcome return to the circuit. The very shifty wind meant no lead was secure in these conditions and at the finish Tony King just crossed ahead of Dave Parkin and Keith Milroy.

Race 2 saw a different course set but with the windward mark set near the shore under the trees it looked tricky. The start line had a port bias but seconds before the gun those at the committee boat end got the benefit of a nice lifting gust with Tony King well placed. Downwind the leaders were line abreast down the reach and it was Amanda Henderson sailing the Scottish demo boat in her very first day in a Solo who led round the gybe mark. At the finish it was Tony King in front again with Keith Milroy a place better in second with Charlie Brecknell third.

For race 3 the course was set a little further down the loch in what looked like a more consistent wind. At the start Ross Watson was able to tack onto port and led up the beat. Downwind he pulled out a little and looked in control up the next beat until kindly informed he was going the wrong way! Gary McFarlane had checked the course and led the fleet to the correct mark. Down the next reach he had to head high to defend his position which let Jon Gay slip through to leeward. Jon held this up the next beat and onto the reach. The wind then died off completely and the race was shortened at the next mark with a shouted 'hoot' as each boat crept over the line. Jon Gay won in his first day in a Solo, an excellent start. Robert Signer from the home club was second and Ross Watson recovered to third.

We paddled and pumped our way ashore and after packing up enjoyed a pie and home made soup included in the entry fee.Overall Tony King was the winner and Jon Gay an excellent second, hopefully we will see him back in a Solo next season. Third was the consistent Keith Milroy.

This was the final event of the HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers for 2021. We had nine events scheduled of which eight took place in a good range of sea, inland and river sailing. Over the season Ross Watson was the winner but only just ahead of Tony King and David Sword. A travellers series is nothing without those who put in the miles and support the series. We have a travellers prize to reflect this, and this year it went to a very deserving Charlie Brecknell in his first season in the class who attended every event and was never without a smile.

The Scottish Solo sailors had a quick meeting after sailing to discuss plans for next season and the process of arranging dates has already begun. We are blessed with a wide range of excellent sailing venues in Scotland and next year the HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers will as usual visit a number of them. We hope to see many of you on the water in 2022!

Overall Results: