Sailability Scotland Challenger Travellers Series at Castle Semple Sailing Club

Sailability Scotland Challenger Travellers Series event 1 at Castle Semple © Joe Reilly

Four visitors arrived at Castle Semple SC near Lochwinnoch on Friday afternoon to prepare their boats for the first event of the 2026 Scottish Challenger Travellers Series. The bright sunshine and mirror flat water suited the wild swimmers better than the sailors and the weekend's weather forecast was not encouraging.

Saturday dawned with the weather exactly as forecast. On the short drive from the coast, mist could be seen rolling in from the east further reducing the expectations of any sailing. However the sailors were surprised to arrive at the club to find a cold mist and a steady easterly Force 2.

Race officer, Jon Hasler, was very keen to get started before the sun burnt off the mist and the breeze with it. The boats were launched for two back to back races. The sun came out but the breeze stayed and remarkably stayed all day.

Race 1 started with David Driffill (275), all the way from Derbyshire, and Duncan Greenhalgh (280) battling it out with many place changes. Despite touching the final mark and completing a penalty turn Duncan managed to recover and take the win from David.

A similar battle was going on between Zoe McPartlin (234) and Steve Laycock (3). Zoe got the start time all wrong allowing Steve to get away but by the final mark she was back contention. Steve rounded the mark first but overstood his final tack and Zoe pipped him to third on the line.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Travellers Series event 1 at Castle Semple - photo © Joe Reilly

Race 2 got away cleanly. David got the best start and led the long beat to Mark 6 but Mark 5 was standing in for the missing Mark 6! Fortunately the lead boat, helmed by Paul O'Neil, was there to resolve any confusion. David continued to lead until the final run. Duncan went high, picked up some incoming pressure and drifted passed David to take a very lucky win.

Zoe managed a good start and had the advantage over Steve who struggled to get in phase with the shifts. He managed to get close to Zoe but not close enough to prevent her taking another third.

The boats returned to the jetty ready for the club's typical generous (free) lunch: soup and filled rolls including veggie or pork sausages, followed by a variety of cakes. Eventually the sailors were ready to sail again. The breeze was still there and the decision was to try for another two back to back races. Club sailor Wilf (253) was tempted to join the fleet.

Race 3 started with Duncan and David taking the lead. Steve got a good start and followed them. There were many place changes between the leading pair but Duncan had the pace on the long run to take the win with David second. Zoe recovered but not enough to challenge Steve for third place. Wilf was left struggling against the other more experienced racers and retired to join in the next race start.

For the final race of the day, the boats lined up for what initially appeared to be another orderly start but a big header allowed Duncan to shut the door on David who was trying to sneak in at the starboard end of the start line. The same shift allowed David to slip behind and below Duncan ultimately pushing him on to the mark. David built a clear and seemingly unassailable lead whilst Duncan's turn and restart were executed.

However they both simultaneously recalled the famous Ben Ainsley quote 'Don't make me angry' and by the first mark Duncan was on a (slow) charge closing the gap. It was then David's turn to foul a mark allowing Duncan through to take another lucky win. Steve closed in on David but wasn't able to find a way through and had to settle for third.

The sailors retired to the Boat Yard restaurant for a sociable evening meal with discussion of the day's events and a few pints to celebrate an unexpected and excellent day sailing.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Travellers Series event 1 at Castle Semple - photo © Joe Reilly

Those competitors arriving at the club early on Sunday morning eyed the gentle breeze across the loch and wondered if it would hold. The race officer suggested another prompt start to make the most of the breeze and aiming for two more back to back races.

Once on the water it was clear there was less pressure and the breeze was shiftier and more fickle than the previous day.

The fleet got away for race 5 with a clean start on a short triangular course. Inevitably David and Duncan took the lead. Steve struggled to get going in the dirty air behind the leading pair whereas Zoe initially managed to keep pace with them. On the second lap, with David leading, Duncan decided to omit the wing mark. A shout from David alerted Duncan to the error of his ways and the substantial diversion left him a long way adrift.

The short beat to the finish line was difficult and David crossed the finish line with only a boat length to spare to take a well deserved win.

With the wind failing and the results settled between the two leading boats, David and Duncan decided to call it a day and pack up their boats ready for the long drive back home.

Zoe and Steve decided to continue with the sixth one lap race albeit in a difficult, patchy, failing wind. Zoe got the start time wrong (again!) and was OCS but she returned. Steve got away but soon fell into a big hole. Zoe, seeing Steve's difficulties, concentrated hard and most of the time managed to keep moving slowly in the right direction. On rounding the second mark, Zoe saw Steve retiring. With very little wind and much determination she achieved her first race win, with well deserved cheers coming from the shore.

Jules Whitestone, the club Commodore, presented the prizes. All the sailors took home boxes of Tunnock Teacakes to remind them of the subsidised entry fees kindly provided by our Traveller series sponsor, Sir Boyd Tunnock of Tunnock Biscuits Uddingston.

Thanks were given to all the volunteers who made the event possible including Jules (event organiser), Jon (for his excellent race management under trying conditions) and Joe (the Cameraman) Reilly. Plus everyone who helped with safety cover, launching and recovering boats, assistance onshore preparing and dismantling boats and especially the galley team. All was much appreciated by the visitors.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Travellers Series event 1 at Castle Semple - photo © Joe Reilly

Overall Results: