HD Sails Streaker Scottish Championship at East Lothian Yacht Club

James Sinclair wins the HD Sails Streaker Scottish Championship at East Lothian © David Parkin

The HD sails Streaker Scottish Championship took place on June 7 and 8 as part of the East Lothian YC Regatta. Turnout was down this year as it was across most classes but wasn't helped by two Streaker sailors of the home club being on duty. Unfortunately no English boats made the trip northwards.

The regatta was very efficiently run throughout and the shore team of trolley helpers was superb. The Streaker course for both days was a long beat then broad reach, a run then a sausage.

Saturday had a mixed forecast! We were held ashore for around half an hour awaiting wind. We launched into a very light easterly and sailed very slowly against the tide to the race area to the west. The AP stayed up until a westerly of around 8mph appeared and we got to race. A strong adverse tide meant the beats were dominated by staying inshore by going left. The only decision was when to tack across the tide.

James Sinclair (ELYC) started as he meant to go on. He led from the beginning and went on to win comfortably as he did in the next four races. Katie Masterton (St Mary's SC) liked these conditions and was never really challenged in second. David Parkin (Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC) led Paul Noble (ELYC) until his boom clipped the mark gybing which allowed Paul though to take third.

Race 2 was identical except that David didn't let Paul past.

There wasn't time for a third race leaving the prospect of four races on the Sunday.

Sunday dawned with sun, a west wind of around 15mph which freshened for race 3 and a flooding tide giving a steep wind over tide chop.

James then proceeded to win the next three races and sat out the final race. The beats were long even with a helpful tide, taking nearly 15 minutes. Downwind saw planing on the reach and all down the run there were surfing opportunities. A closer reach would have been even more fun. David went much better in the breeze and was comfortably second in races 3, 4 and 5 and was even relatively close to James in the fifth race, with Katie third. Paul thought better with the conditions as they were.

For the final race the tide was now ebbing meaning tactics were the same as on Saturday and the breeze softened considerably. In the end Katie beat David to end level on points with him taking second overall on countback.

James therefore was Scottish Streaker Champion yet again!

Scottish Championship Results:

St Mary's Loch event

The previous Sunday was the Streaker traveller at St Mary's Loch. This club is probably the highest in the UK and is in a narrow valley with a number of glens running into the valley meaning gusts can be unpredictable in strength and direction. The forecast was for around 18mph gusting up to 30. This put off 2 pre entries. In fact it was probably more like 15 gusting low 20s though increased for race 3.

The event was shared with the ILCAs. Worryingly a number of adults from the home club had decided to use the 4.7.rig which suggested that it really was windy.

All three races were a figure of 8 course with long legs. James Sinclair won all three races. Katie Masterton and David Parkin had very close racing in races 1 and 2. Katie coming second by a boat length in both. In race 3 the wind had certainly increased. David was much closer to James and clear of Katie.

This meant James (2pts) won overall from Katie (4pts) with David (5 pts) in third.

It is a testament to the Streaker that there were no capsizes. Dodging upturned ILCAs was a frequent event.

The next event on the HD sails circuit is at Aberdeen& Stonehaven YC on August 16 & 17 though before then the three usual suspects are off to the Nationals at Rutland.