RS400 Regatta at Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club

RS400 Regatta at Stonehaven © A&SYC

Twelve boats came to Stonehaven for the weekend's racing. The weather was kind with wind and sunshine supplied. After a quiet regatta last year post-Covid it was great to see a keen and competitive fleet this year with a few new faces to increase the depth of the field.

Saturday's racing got away shortly after 1pm in a fresh southerly on a relatively short course although this was compensated for by having a few more laps. In crewing terms it equalled 15 spinnaker hoists over three races and with some very tight racing this did lead to one or two boats checking the slot gasket now and again, usually at the leeward mark.

The first race saw Jamie Calder and Keith Bedborough show some of their promise and win by healthy margin from Granny and Grandad Robertson with John Mac and Andy Box in third. Brendan Lynch with Fat Toni was a close fourth.

In the second race the Robertsons won although I can't remember the details, other than there was a slight issue with rule 18 at one of the leeward marks which resulted in Jamie and Keith practising a turning manoeuvre and as a result dropped back some way. John Mac and AB were a good second and Brendan third. Expectant Bob and substitute crew Naomi were fourth.

The third race saw Wonder Boy and Silver Fox out in front again with Brendan and Toni in a convincing second. Third were Granny and Grandad who held on despite having lost count of laps / hoists / drops / tacks etc with Peter Taylor and Chris Ness pressing most of the way round.

RS400 Regatta at Stonehaven - photo © A&SYC

Sunday dawned overcast and a bit wet but by the time the race was due to start the rain had cleared. The wind kept us waiting for a short while which was gratefully accepted by a fleet which had enjoyed the sponsor Stewart Brewing's excellent products the night before and generally excelled in the Marine Hotel.

In the first race the fleet got away in a light-moderate which filled in over the course of the race. Places changed multiple times and Brendan and Tony won through followed by Ronnie Millar and Fraser Mulford in second (who generally proved on Sunday that keeping the mast pointing at the sky was quickest).

The second race followed the first with a breeze that was still building and coming slightly more off the shore than Saturday. Again places were changing but Grumpy Grandad won having got a lucky gust downwind after a mediocre start. Ronnie and Fraser were early leaders but slipped back in the later rounds. Brendan was second with JC and KB in third. John and Andy were fourth.

The final race was held in perfect sunshine and warm wind, which the Robdobs enjoyed from the beach, having decided to stop at 10 spinnaker hoists for the day. Jamie and Keith won the race and the regatta from Brendan and Toni in what turned out to be the decider. Bob and Naomi were third and John and Andy fourth.

Many thanks to Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club for another fantastic event. The next event will be the much anticipated nationals at North Berwick on 8th -12th August with the prospect of tight competition between a selection of talented crews significantly under retirement age at one of our favourite venues.

Overall Results: