HD Sails Scottish Solo Traveller at Largo Bay Sailing Club

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Largo Bay © Donald Aitken

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Largo Bay © Donald Aitken

The Scottish Solo fleet returned to Largo Bay for the second of this seasons HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers events. Normally we sail on a Saturday, but the Coronation meant it was to be Sunday this time.

Largo is a small club situated right on the beach - the clubhouse leads directly onto the beach. The wind had been firmly in the east for some days and the forecast did not look very promising, with light winds expected in the morning, only strengthening as the afternoon progressed.

On arrival we found the usual car park already full. Apparently some rare flying visitor from Finland had brought out all the local birdwatchers! It was obvious that we were not going to be able to start at the scheduled 11.00 and the experienced race team led by Pete Malcolm put up an early postponement. This gave the chance for plenty of chat on the beach. It was good to see John Colegrave back after he moved south a few years ago. We also welcomed the youngest member of the fleet, Alexander, who we hope will soon follow his dad Tony King into the fleet. He certainly seemed to enjoy having his toes dipped in the water! There was time to inspect boats and see the best way of rigging a righting line. Dave Parkin had fitted has fitted a flattener to his sail, now allowed by the class, and explained how it worked. Stuart Gibson was presented with a new HD Sails cap to replace the one to replace left in a New York taxi - good to see the sponsors message was being widely spread.

By midday the breeze seemed to have increased a little so we all launched, despite the light wind this was not without incident as two boats managed to collide. The wind though was from the south, not what we had expected. As we slowly sailed out though the wind backed almost round to the east. However it did not stay in that direction but shifted between east and south east throughout the day. Despite being tidal there is remarkably little tidal flow at Largo and the anchor ropes on the buoys were vertical all day.

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Largo Bay - photo © Donald Aitken

The low rider Moths were starting before us and confirmed that the pin end of the line was favoured. Up the beat though it paid to go right and Kevan Gibb took full advantage leading all the way round. Next was Dave Parkin who also chose the right side of the course. The wind was light and progress round the course slow. When the wind shifted to make the second reach close to a beat the race was shortened after one round.

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Largo Bay - photo © Donald Aitken

The wind was just as light for the second race and the line bias still there. This led to plenty of congestion at the pin end and a general recall. The fleet was more disciplined this time and Stuart Gibson made the best start and went left up the beat and led at the windward mark. He held this round the course as the wind went very light at times. The race was again cut to one round and following Stuart was Calum Gibb sailing the class demo boat who finished ahead of his dad. Willie Todd was again third showing good consistency. The fleet was close all the way round and even the last three boats rounded the leeward mark together.

For the third race the wind was a little stronger at the start. The pin end of the line was again busy with Tony king being OCS. Stuart Gibson was the early leader but it was close behind him. By the start of the second beat the wind was enough to be fully powered going upwind and the sun had come out - very pleasant sailing conditions. It paid to go right up the beat and by the windward mark Ross Watson had come up to second ahead of Willie Todd. After two one lap races this one went the full distance of four laps. At the last windward mark Stuart had a 50m lead over Ross and Willie but headed for the gybe mark instead of down the run. After a few shouts he realised the error but had lost his lead and the three were overlapped down the run. As they approached the leeward mark Willie got inside Ross and Stuart managed to capsize, letting Kevan into third. It stayed that way on the leg to the finish. Coming ashore at the top of the tide meant some hard work from everyone including those helping with the trolleys to get everyone ashore safely. It was noticeable that the local boats were dropping their sails before getting to the beach. Once ashore we tucked into pie and beans and ate them in the sunshine on the patio.

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Largo Bay - photo © Donald Aitken

Overall the consistent Willie Todd was the deserved winner of the HD Sails Scottish solo Traveller. Second was Kevan Gibb followed by Stuart Gibson and then Kevan's son Callum. The fleet intend to return to the great sailing waters of Largo Bay for the Scottish Championships in 2024, likely to be held in late August. In the meantime we head to Royal Tay Yacht Club for the next in the series where we can expect a lot more tide.

Overall Results: