Scottish Streaker Open at Loch Tummel Sailing Club

Scottish Streakers at Loch Tummel: Katie Masterton and Barney Proud © David Parkin

A reduced turnout of Streakers arrived for the Loch Tummel SC Autumn Regatta on September 14th and 15th as holidays and weddings clashed with the event. It was good to get sailing as this year we have lost two events to no wind or too much wind!

Loch Tummel runs west to east in a fairly steep valley so a forecast of 15mph gusting 28mph from the south on Saturday and 12 gusting 24 from the southwest on Sunday meant that there were likely to be vicious gusts with huge shifts. This prediction turned out to be very accurate.

It was a weekend shared with other classes including the Solos. As two of us were deserters from the Solo circuit a certain amount of banter was expected, but a few Solo sailors were seen having a crafty look at the modern Streaker.

All classes sailed a trapezoid course except for the RS200s who were on a sausage course which was going to cause problems as the races went on. Race 1 started in a good breeze but on the run a big squall took out Angus Beyts (Newburgh SC). At this point Barney Proud (Craven SC) was just ahead of Katie Masterton (St Mary's Loch SC). These two screamed off well away from the direct course but unable to gybe. David Parkin (Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC) was just behind them, wore round and got to the leeward mark in second place. We then met a dozen 200s approaching the mark, all with water! As were on a very tight reach with no option of going higher this meant that finding a gap at the leeward mark was a major factor in all the races. The penalty for getting buried was to lose at least 50m. The order remained Barney, David then Katie until the last lap when David had an incident with a 200 in a gust, capsized and retired.

Race 2 was very close with multiple place changes but ended up with Barney just beating Katie and David just behind.

Race 3 was in the strongest wind punctuated by another big squall. David wiped out on the run. Barney and Katie survived. This was followed by a lovely meal in the clubhouse and a liberal amount of liquid refreshment. WE discussed possible plans for next year to try and capitalise on the increased numbers of Streakers in Scotland.

On Sunday we awoke to what seemed like much less was wind but once afloat it was obvious that the forecast was correct. As the wind direction was closer to the axis of the loch the gusts were not quite as shifty but still powerful. Race 4. At the gybe mark Katie led from David then Barney and Angus. Barney capsized allowing Angus through. David and Katie battled it out with David taking the win with Angus in third. Races 5 and 6 had the wind back up to nearly as strong as Saturday. In race 5 Angus had a long capsize and retired for the day. Race 5 was particularly close with many place changes especially on the beats. At the finish it was Katie who beat Barney then David, but all 3 finished within a few seconds. Race 6 was again close but normal service was resumed with Barney winning.

This meant that overall Barney won, Katie was second and David third.

Loch Tummel SC put on a great event with slick race management, excellent catering and good camping.

Overall Results: