HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs Sailing Club

HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs - Ben Ledi trophy © Jon Bassett

As the Scottish Solo fleet travelled to Largs on the west coast for the third of the HD Sails travellers series we knew that the event would be bathed in sunshine, but would there be enough wind? There was plenty a few miles inland but as we descended the hill into the town the water looked like glass. Today we were sailing for the Ben Ledi trophy which rewards consistency by not allowing any discard.

Largs Sailing Club has a modern clubhouse with a large lounge and balcony overlooking the channel over to Cumbrae and the peaks on the island of Arran. The club can host big events and the Topper nationals are being held there in August. The Solos have not been to Largs for some years but this time we were sailing as part of the One Design Regatta. Some of the Solo sailors had travelled a long way to attend. Roddy Henry and Charlie Brecknell had driven south from Chanonry Sc whilst Loz Young had come from Derwent Reservoir SC.

We welcomed Sam Bourne to the fleet. He sails at Arran Yacht Club and had travelled across on the ferry. Andy McDaid from the host club was sailing a boat borrowed from Willie Todd.

On arrival we were directed to the dinghy park by members, one of whom kindly showed me the last parking space near to the boats. As we rigged up I noticed a big pile of energy food and six bananas next to the neighbouring boat. Compared to that my two bananas seemed puny, but I am not a Finn sailor!

The lack of wind inevitably meant a delay before launching but the race team got us afloat at the first opportunity after time to chat about the forthcoming nationals. Once afloat there was never more than 5/6 knots all day and toe straps and spray tops were not needed. Instead it was factor 50 in the sunshine.

The course was a square with two different windward marks for the fleets plus a finishing line so there was a bit of chat until all the marks were dropped and everything became clear. At the briefing the race officer for our course area said that he intended to combine our fleet with the ILCA 6s. This prompted some concern amongst the Solo sailors as we thought the squad sailors in the Lasers would push us out of the way on the start line. Plus the boats are similar in speed.

We mentioned this to the race officer but as we launched it was unclear what would happen. As it turned out our concerns had been accepted and we had our own start. And in the light conditions the Solos were sailing a lot faster than the ILCA 6s, passing half the fleet during the races.

HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs - Ben Ledi trophy - photo © Jon Bassett

The start line for the first race was a fair one. Stuart Gibson started at the committee boat end and was quickly onto port, a winning move. As the beat progressed it was clear that going right had paid with Stuart having a good lead at the windward mark followed by Charlie Brecknell. The rest of the fleet was close with Loz Young showing excellent upwind speed. The first two stayed that way for the rest of the two lap race.

Behind them there was a lot of place changing plus, unusually for our fleet, a call for someone to stop pumping on the run! At the first leeward mark Sam Bourne got stuck below the last Laser which was sailing several degrees below a windward course. The second round was similar with the leading two ahead with clear wind. At finish Ross Watson had come through to third by managing to overtake boats to leeward on a tight reach.

The course and wind direction was the same for the second race although the wind on the left of the course area seemed to be weakening. Stuart again tacked off at the start and led at the windward mark. This time it was much closer as a left shift as the boats neared the windward mark brought the fleet closer with Ross only two lengths behind. As we approached the wing mark it was clear form the boats in front that the wind was lighter and the run was going to be slow, and so it proved.

Down the run Stuart managed to stay just clear of the fleet with several carefully timed gybes. Behind him it was very different. At one point a little puff came in from astern and I counted nine boats abreast. Sadly eight of them had caught and were passing me to windward!

As we approached the mark Robert Taylor made it very clear who was not going to get water. In the event Loz got squeezed out and Ross dropped to second last. Down the next reach Stuart had managed to put five Lasers between him and the next Solo, although these were soon passed. At the leeward mark Alistair Stevenson had got up to second and the consistent Charlie Brecknell third.

It stayed that way for the next round. The wind was easing across the course and all the boats were sent ashore after the second race.

HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs - Ben Ledi trophy - photo © Jon Bassett

The slipway was crowded as all the fleets arrived at the same time but the club beachmasters are very efficient and got everyone ashore quickly. The sea was now glassy and it was clear no more sailing for the day. As the Solos packed up the next stage of the Finn sailors refreshment became apparent - a tray of cool beers carried to the dinghy park!

The clear winner of the Ben Ledi trophy was Stuart Gibson with two firsts. Next was Charlie Brecknell with local sailor Andy McDaid in a borrowed boat a fine third. They departed wearing t-shirts from our sponsor HD Sails plus prizes supplied by Largs Chandlers. Thanks to the team at Largs Sailing club for the organisation. They got us afloat as soon as the wind was sufficient, set a course of just the right size and finished the second race as the wind died and sent us ashore.

The next event in the HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers is the Scottish Championships at North Berwick on June 7/8. This is an opportunity to sail on the waters where the Nationals take place in August so get your entry in now before all the spaces are taken.

HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs - Ben Ledi trophy - photo © Jon Bassett

Overall Results:

HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers at Largs - Ben Ledi trophy - photo © Jon Bassett