Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar Sailing Club

Val Milward - Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar © Stephen Phillips

The annual Challenger Regatta at Loch Venachar Sailing Club took place during the weekend 2-3 August. It was the fifth event in Sailability Scotland's Traveller Series. Those arriving at the club on the Friday afternoon found it was alive with a Stirling School Camp. However, the two groups worked amicably together to the extent that the off-duty instructors helped the Challenger sailors to build their boats.

The sailors (nine in total) arrived on Saturday morning to find the loch was like a mirror reflecting the spectacular view of the high Bens. Unfazed they got their boats ready to launch and donned summer gear in the bright Scottish sunshine. Whilst waiting for the briefing a greying ripple could be seen 2 or 3 miles up the loch heading towards the club. Once the briefing was over and a trapezoid course set, a steady F3/4 breeze covered the whole loch. Who had switched the fans on?

As expected the two top contenders Val Milward (312) and Duncan Greenhalgh (280) got off to a flying start in Race 1 and led the fleet from the heavily starboard biased start line. After a short leg towards to shore Duncan called "Tack for Shore" and fetched the first mark with Val in close pursuit. Local expert John McPartlin (236) was vying to stay with the leaders.

Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar - photo © Stephen Phillips

At the second mark Val called Duncan out for touching the buoy. After a turn he joined the chasing pack with Alan Gillman (185) and Steve Laycock (3). By now Val and a smiling John were well down the long run to the leeward mark. On the following beat Duncan broke away from the Alan and Steve and set off in pursuit of the leading pair. It looked to be a forlorn task. Val extended away from John while Duncan closed on him, By the start of the third and final lap Duncan was second. Val and Duncan split tacks on the long beat and at the next crossing Duncan popped out in front by a nice margin. He maintained this position until the finish. John was very happy to take a comfortable third place and honours for his home club.

Race 2 started after a lunch of homemade soup and sandwiches served by the very efficient Galley Crew led by Enid McPartlin. The wind was up a force for this race touching F4 for most of this less eventful race. The course remained the same. Val and Duncan immediately took the lead, but other boats were starting to mix it on the start line. Val managed to read the first wind shift tacking clear ahead, holding this position until the finish gun after three laps. Duncan was second and this time Alan took third. Paul Noble made an appearance, for one race only, in his newly re-acquired boat, Iniminit (283).

Race 3 was sailed back-to-back. The wind was starting to settle down a little, even so a decent F3 which provided excellent sailing conditions. The fleet was joined by Liz Eaton (233) who had been thwarted, by a road closure, in her efforts to reach the club the previous day.

Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar - photo © Stephen Phillips

This race was almost the exact opposite of Race 2 (though with an unexpected fourth lap). Duncan led from start to finish followed by Val. Steve nailed the start and had his best result coming third. Alan, in fourth, held John off until the last wing mark when John managed to get an inside overlap and they sailed side by side to the leeward mark. John had the advantage but, with only one functional arm, he struggled to make an efficient gybe. However, he rounded up to fetch the finish line and took fourth. His facial expression instantly change from gritted teeth to the biggest smile of the weekend.

Saturday ended with Duncan on 1, 2, 1 and Val 2, 1, 2. John was more than delighted with holding third place by 1 point against Alan. So all to play for in the last two races on Sunday morning.

Saturday evening was social time with a very convivial meal in the Riverside Restaurant in Callander. After the meal it was time to celebrate Jean Watson's three score and tenth birthday. It's not for me to give a lady's age away but she was wearing the biggest badge with 'I am 70 and counting'! A cake, candle, card, and a bunch of flowers sent a happy Jean back to her digs for the night.

Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar - photo © Stephen Phillips

Sunday morning dawned with bright sunshine after a night's rain - which meant the midges were out in force. Boats and sailors were soon ready and it was back to business for the last two races.

Who turned the fans up? A good F6 was in evidence before the boats were launched and the sailors switched to their winter gear in preparation for a blasting. Fortunately it dropped off, just a little, to a manageable but still challenging F5/6. The Race officer set figure of eight course, extending the beat by moving the leeward buoy a considerable distance down the loch.

Race 4 started with the usual two boats in prime position on the start line. However Val was pushed up to windward near the pin end, while Duncan had pulled the trigger a few seconds earlier. He accelerated away to establish a lead which he held, despite near survival conditions, for the rest of the race to take the win and with it the event. A casualty of the very low water level and shallow foreshores was Lynn Steward (237). She ran aground before the race started but bravely persevered to follow round and finish the race using only her one good hand in the rough and windy conditions.

Race 5 got away in similar conditions. Val was at the favoured end of the start line with Duncan taking a more relaxed stance at the other. Alan and Steve were sandwiched between them. Steve got squeezed out leaving the three boats to fight it out to the first mark. Each of them led at some point. However, Val maintained the better position and eventually pulled out a sizeable lead to take the last race and second overall. Alan took a creditable second place to give him third place overall.

Duncan Greenhalgh - Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar - photo © Stephen Phillips

Credit is also due to Zoe and Keith McPartlin (235) who completed all races as sole representatives of the Bronze fleet.

At the prize-giving thanks were given to all the helpers, including Jelle Stokroos the race officer, Enid leading the galley and the launching and recovery shore crew (one of whom unintentionally tried wild swimming!). Colin Cameron received the John Heron Helpers Trophy for his continued support for the class.

Every competitor received a box of Tunnocks Teacakes to mark the assistance towards the entry fee donated by Sir Boyde Tunnocks of Tunnocks Biscuits.

The final event in Sailabilty Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series is at Loch Earn Sailing Club on 23 & 24 August, on another large inland Scottish loch, where good sailing and excellent welcome can be assured. There is still time to get entries in and boats organised - see the Sailability Scotland SCIO website for more details.

The last weekend in August sees a group of Challenger sailors taking part in the Round Shuna event, including the feeder race from Ardfern to Craobh Haven. This is an event not to be missed, if interested please contact Sailability Scotland.

Sailability Scotland's Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Venachar - photo © Stephen Phillips

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