Stewart Brewing RS400 2022 Scottish Tour story so far...

RS400s at Largs © Marc Turner

Andy Marshall & Peter Taylor at Largs © Marc Turner

Largs' annual One Design Regatta Weekend included the RS400 for the first event of the hugely competitive Stewart Brewing Scottish Tour.

21 May 2022 - Saturday

Greeted with traditional west coast weather (rain, sprinkled with some more rain), the fleet headed out to a stable south-westerly and a scheduled 4 races. The PRO set a lengthy course to test everyone's fitness. Each race produced a different winner. In race 1 which was 1 hour and 15 minutes long the first 7 boats finished within a minute of each other. Race 1 winners were Stewart and Sarah Robertson. Race 2 winners were Jamie Calder and the Silver Fox (aka Keith Bedborough). Race 3 winners were Neil McLellan and Hannah Robertson. Race 4 winners were Andy Marshall and Peter Taylor.

22 May 2022 - Sunday

With all to play for and another 4 scheduled races, the fleet was given a master class by Jamie Calder and the Silver Fox with three 1st places to win the event overall. Comfortable 2nd place to ex-National champs Stewart and Sarah Robertson. 3rd place was close and was only decided on the last downwind leg of the regatta. The battle was between Jon Gay with Amanda Henderson and new helm Andy Marshall helming Peter Taylor's boat who switched to the crewing position. Both competitors were tied on 23 points however with Marshall/Taylor having the better last race they were awarded 3rd place.

A massive thank you to Largs Sailing Club and their teams for running another fantastic event, and congratulations to Jamie and Keith for putting together a championship performance to take the win.

Royal Tay Yacht Club hosted the RS400 Scottish Championships for the second event of Stewart Brewing Scottish Tour.

18 June 2022 - Saturday

The four boat fleet had a smaller than expected turnout, with many regulars being tied up elsewhere. The weather was unfortunately 30+ knot gusts and correctly the PRO decided to abandon the racing for the day. The club kindly provided free pizza for all competitors which was accompanied by cold IPA from Stewart Brewing, our class sponsors.

19 June 2022 - Sunday

Greeted with a shifty offshore north-westerly, the PRO set the best course possible from this difficult wind direction. With a strong tide the tactics were to sail up the shoreline which became a tacking duel between all 4 boats then blast to the channel downwind.

All 4 boats had a shot of leading races however it was Neil McLellan with Hannah Robertson and Jon Gay with Amanda Henderson who produced better consistency. Tied on points at the end of the regatta the 1st place was decided on the results of the last race, with Neil and Hannah winning that race and the Scottish Championships.

Thank you to our hosts, Royal Tay YC and everyone involved with the regatta. Thank you to Stewart Brewing for their continued sponsorship for the Scottish Tour and to Rooster for its support of the National Tour.

Next event for the Stewart Brewing Scottish Tour is Aberdeen and Stonehaven YC on 16/17 July, last event before the UK National Championships at North Berwick in August.

Scottish Tour overall

After two events, Jon Gay and Amanda Henderson are leading the series with 6 points, closely followed by the new Scottish Champs Neil McLellan and Hannah Robertson on 7 points and Angus Marshall on 9 points. The series is the best of 4 out of 7 events.