Please select your home edition
Edition
GOAT Marine
Product Feature
L-shape Dock Fender
L-shape Dock Fender

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Monklands Sailing Club

by Duncan Greenhalgh 19 May 2023 07:42 BST 13-14 May 2023
Scottish Challenger Travellers Series at Monklands © Stephen Phillips

Six visiting Challenger Trimaran dinghies took part in the second regatta in the Sailability Scotland's Traveller series. They were met with a warm welcome on arrival at Monklands SC at North Lanarkshire Water Sports Centre.

This was the club's first sailing event in several years due to low water levels while dam repairs took place. Now Hillend Reservoir offers a large expanse of open water ideal for the Challengers.

Saturday

The weather forecast did not look very favourable with only 2 mph forecast with promise of a little more later. However it was pleasant waiting in the bright sunshine and warm weather for the promised breeze which gradually appeared as a patchwork pattern on the water.

Race 1 got off to a clean start and the fleet set off round the optimistically large Olympic Triangular course of a triangle and sausage. In the very variable conditions all six boats had their moment of glory, being accelerated to the front before falling into a rogue wind hole and watching boats pass on either side. The fleet rather drifted to the second mark. Here Dorothy Bennett (the only lady sailor) and Alan Gillman (new to challenger racing) headed directly to the leeward mark. However, rounding in third, Duncan Greenhalgh spotted a gust developing to the left, went to meet it and was carried into the lead and down to the mark closely followed by the rest of the fleet. Here the race was (mercifully) finished.

To everyone's relief the forecast increase in pressure arrived with a big wind shift. A change of course was made by the efficient race team and Race 2 started round another Olympic triangular course. Experience, and befitting from the recent coaching weekend at Rutland, Duncan picked out the pockets of wind and played the big shifts to build a large lead and was not challenged throughout the 50-minute race. There was close racing among the rest of the fleet, with Rory McKinna (Hansa 303 Para World's hopeful) next home. Racing was then abandoned for the day with promise of better wind for Sunday.

Sunday

The morning dawned to a forecast promising Force 3 - 5 winds and already signs of a breeze covered the large expanse of water - what a difference from the previous day! The enthused competitors queued up ready and waiting for the word to start launching.

Race 3 started in a nice testing breeze that resulted in a lot of place changing among all the sailors. The wind filled in and increased throughout the race. At the front of the fleet, Dorothy Duncan and Rory had a ding dong battle with Duncan's more extensive Challenger experience paying off in the end to take the win.

Races 4 and 5 followed a similar pattern, except now there were some sustained F5 gusts which made for some exciting sailing especially down the reaches and runs. The two most experienced sailors fought against both the conditions and each other to come home first (Duncan) and second (Rory). Steve Laycock reported a great battle at the back of the fleet with much changing of positions between himself, Ronnie Cameron and Dorothy.

Prize giving took place after all the boats were packed away ready for the next regatta (at Castle Semple on 3&4 June). Prizes were presented to all the competitors and included Prosecco, a floating key ring, and Tunnock biscuits (Tunnock's being the generous sponsor of the series). The leading boat appropriately received an upside down 'capsize' mug. Thanks were passed on to all the helpers from the club and visitors and a bunch of flowers presented to Jean who single handedly fed and watered everyone with donated food from Marrisons and Tesco supermarkets.

The Challenger is an open class so almost anyone can participate. It is no longer the preserve of disable sailors as it is also sailed by retired monohull sailors who are tired of capsizing. If you would like to have a go please contact Sailability Scotland SCIO www.sailabilityscotland.org.uk (in Scotland) or the Challenger Class Association www.challenger-sailing.org.uk (elsewhere).

Overall Results:

PosHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1stDuncan GreenhalghBassenthwaite Sailing Club‑111114
2ndRory McKinnaClyde Cruising Club‑323229
3rdDorothy BennettClyde Cruising Club2323310
4thSteve LaycockSailability Scotland SCIO‑4444315
5thRonnie CameronClyde Cruising Club‑5555520
7thAlan Gillman (DNF)DNCDNCDNCDNC28

Related Articles

UK Challenger Championships at Rutland
The wind began with a lively F5 gusting F7/8 Sixteen Challengers gathered at Rutland Sailing Club for the 2024 UK Open Challenger Championship on Friday 27 September. Unfortunately "gathering" was all they were going to do that day. Posted on 1 Oct
Challengers at Ogston
Club kindly arrange boats to loan 4 of the visiting helms Usually the Challenger Open at Ogston SC is part of their general handicap event. However, this year the dates didn't work and Dave Driffill generously organised a special Challenger Open for us. Posted on 9 Sep
Challenger Travellers at Loch Earn
"Proper Scottish sailing," they said The strong winds forecast for Saturday 24th did not disappoint. The Westerly wind bounced down the Loch bringing gusts of up to 30mph. This proved to be ideal, with exciting, Challenger sailing, but the shifts demanding concentration from all sailors. Posted on 29 Aug
Scottish Open Challenger Championship
A great turnout at Loch Venachar Sailing Club On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August ten Challengers entered the SOCC hosted by Loch Venachar Sailing Club. A great turn out with competitors travelling from far and wide to sail in the heart of the Trossachs in Central Scotland. Posted on 11 Aug
Welsh Open Challenger Championship
For the first time in some years, the visitors were joined by the two local boats Five Challengers travelled to Llyn Brenig for the Welsh Open Challenger Championship. Most had rather trying journeys, especially the two sailors coming from the north. For the first time in some years, the visitors were joined by the two local boats. Posted on 23 Jul
English Open Challenger Championship
Another very successful event at Scaling Dam After a very successful event at Scaling Dam Sailing and Watersports Club in 2023 the Challengers returned in 2024 for the English Open Challenger Championship. Posted on 4 Jun
WISH SC Open Challenger Event
Six Challengers representing five clubs race at Wigan and St Helens SC After a very successful Challenger event WISH (Wigan and St Helens) Sailing Club in 2023 the Challengers returned for the weekend 18-19 May. Posted on 22 May
Challenger Travellers at Castle Semple
Launched on Saturday more in the hope than expectation of racing Seven Challengers raced at Castle Semple SC during the weekend 4-5 May. Chi Chian Wu was kindly loaned one of the Challengers based at Castle Semple SC and Lynn Steward of Wigan and St Helens SC borrowed a Sailability Scotland boat. Posted on 8 May
Challenger Coaching Weekend at Rutland
Led by Brett Cokayne, the RYA's National Sailability Developer The weekend 27-28 April saw the first Challenger event of the season. It was a coaching weekend led by Brett Cokayne, the RYA's National Sailability Developer. On Sunday Brett was joined by Andy Gordon of Scaling Dam. Posted on 1 May
Purple patch at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Clear the 'in' colour for sailors in 2024 Sailing fashion is a fickle thing, one minute yellow is all the rage, then red, then orange. In 2024 it was most definitely the colour purple. Posted on 26 Feb