The Loch Earn Lollapalooza – A Weekend of Race and Shenanigans!
by Andy MacDonald 10 May 2025 17:04 BST
26 April 2025
The Loch Earn Lollapalooza © Andy MacDonald
Ah, Loch Earn, the fine Scottish expanse where dreams are forged and boats sometimes find themselves inexplicably upside down! It was the venue for the thrilling Optimal Supernova Scottish Cup, and let me tell you, it was a bustling spectacle of sails, shouts, and, of course, a fair share of friendly chaos.
Race one kicked off with a bang—or was that just Andy making a right hullabaloo of the start? Peter and Callum, the dynamic duo, sped off like they were late for a very important cup of tea, while David and Orlagh decided to show us their own version of 'slow and steady wins the race'—but really, it was more of a 'look at us, we're taking the scenic route' situation. Poor Orlagh must have thought capsizing was a new dance move, as they found themselves flailing about in the water like a stylish swan with two left feet. Despite the drama, Callum and Peter were locked in a fierce tussle for first, while David and Andy had a bit of a squabble over third place. Congrats to Orlagh for finally getting to 5th after overtaking Lisa—proof that persistence pays off!
On to race two, where things got under way without a hitch—what, did someone sprinkle good luck dust in the air? Callum and Andy rode the lift like it was a rollercoaster at the fair, with Andy chasing Callum around the course as if there was a prize for whoever could shout "Catch me if you can!" loudest. Peter rounded out the podium in third, followed closely by David and Orlagh, making it feel like a game of musical chairs but with boats. And hats off to Lisa, who didn't just show up; she brought her A-game in 6th!
By race three, the competitors had warmed up properly—no more start mess-ups, just good ol' fashioned racing action. Callum raced off like a startled deer, while Peter played the role of the tireless chaser, sprinting around the course with the determination of a dog after a rogue squirrel. But what's this? In a nail-biting final leg, Peter found himself in a luffing match with a Musto skiff, which might have been the point at which another phrase entered the Scottish lexicon: "sneaky as a Scottish raccoon." This little drama allowed Andy to slink past and nab second place overall.
All in all, it was a fantastic weekend of racing, laughing, and a fair dose of aquatic gymnastics. We simply can't wait for the next showdown at Castle Semple—who knows what shenanigans await there? Bring on the boats, the battles, and the bewildering antics!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 1204 | CALUM ROERTSON | ‑1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 1175 | ANDREW MACDONALD | ‑3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3rd | 1208 | PETE SYKES | 2 | ‑3 | 3 | 5 |
| 4th | 1050 | DAVID VAN ROOYEN | ‑4 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| 5th | 1315 | ORLAGH MACDONALD | 5 | 5 | (DNS) | 10 |
| 6th | 117 | LISA GRIFFIN | ‑6 | 6 | 5 | 11 |