Musto Skiff Scottish Championships at the East Lothian Yacht Club Regatta 2023
by Dan Trotter 7 Jun 2023 18:47 BST
3-4 June 2023
Musto Skiffs at ELYC Regatta 2023 © Steve Fraser
The ELYC Regatta at North Berwick is one of the hottest events in the Northern & Scottish Circuit for the Musto Skiffs, and with the added allure of the prestigious Scottish Champion trophy being at stake, fifteen Musto Skiffs, two 29ers and one international 14 lined up on Saturday morning ready to battle it out.
With a port bias line, the first race saw everyone racking up at the pin end. However, it was those who tacked off early onto the right-hand side of the track that came out on top. Alastair Conn and Bill Maughan had this approach sussed, finishing the day in first and second place overall.
At the end of three hard fought races, most of the fleet retired early, whereas the battle-hardened stayed out to take on the infamous Bass Rock Race. This intrepid adventure consists of a gruelling beat up to Bass Rock followed by a rollercoaster downwind jumping from wave to wave back to the clubhouse.
Jamie Hilton, Dan Trotter, and Ian Trotter all headed off to the righthand side of the track with the remainder of the fleet going hard left. The righthand side paid off and Jamie led to the rock with Dan and Ian in pursuit. As a windward mark, the rock is quite vast, and Jamie sailed in too close, only to be becalmed. Dan took a wider course and headed off downwind to take a comfortable victory and to be announced the self-proclaimed "King of the Rock."
Back ashore, the fleet headed out for food at the local Italian Restaurant. After a carb fuelled meal of pizza or pasta, racing took on a new form, resembling a Limoncello Boat Race. There was some dispute over the results, so this had to be repeated several times, successfully emptying the restaurant. Little did we know that hordes of fans had gathered at the local pub eagerly awaiting the King of the Rock and his comrades.
After a few more hours of socialising, the friendly bar staff arranged for some men in Hi-Vis coats to escort us home.
Sunday morning was a bit hazy, however, after some coffee, bacon sarnies and the news that Dan Trotter was no longer the King of the Rock after being black flagged, the fleet were soon back in good spirits and raring to go. Unfortunately, the wind wasn't quite up to it. The AP flag went up and racing eventually got under way in a building 10 knot breeze. Ian Trotter and Dylan Noble were hot out the blocks in race 4, which they maintained to take first and second respectively. Trotter Senior was in the mix again on race 5, which saw him lead all the way only to be pipped by Hilton at the finish.
Steady results from Alastair Conn and Bill Maughan meant that it was a three-horse race going into the final race of the day. The wind was now a champagne 15 knots and the sun was shining. A competitive start saw an individual recall flag go up, however, with everything on the line, no one turned back. Hilton won the race with Danny Boatman second and Bill third. With everyone receiving a hoot at the finish line, it was an anxious wait ashore to see who was to be crowned Scottish Champion.
If the results stood, Jamie Hilton would have been crowned, however as it happens, karma's a b***h, and he was over the line. Jamie finished the weekend in fifth place and the newly gifted "King of the Rock" (I'm not bitter). Alastair Conn sailed an excellent regatta to take the win with Bill Maughan in second and Dan Trotter in third.
Massive thank you to East Lothian Yacht Club who put on this fantastic multiclass event every year. Competitive racing and big socials are what the Scottish skiff series is all about, and this weekend fulfilled that brief. In 2025, East Lothian will hold the Musto Skiff UK National championships. If it is anything like this weekend, we're in for a treat!
Thanks again to our 2023 Northern & Scottish Circuit Sponsor, Stewart Brewing, for a load of great prizes for the podium places and the Bass Rock winner, including cases of craft beer and branded steel water bottles.
The next event will be at Sunderland over 17/18th June, and we look forward to seeing many coming along for some great racing and social from the Northern and Scottish circuit, as well as the Southern circuit.
Overall Results:
ELYC Regatta 2023 (and 2023 Musto Skiff Scottish Championships):
1st place (and '2023 Musto Skiff Scottish Champion') - Alastair Conn
2nd place - Bill Maughan
3rd place - Dan Trotter
2023 Bass Rock Race
1st place - Jamie Hilton
2nd place - Stuart Keegan
3rd place - Ian Trotter