Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series and Scottish Masters at Largo Bay Sailing Club

Sponsored by Stewart Brewing, HD Sails and Coast to Coast Rigging

The third event of the Bluebell series was held over a windy weekend at Largo Bay SC. As usual at Largo the RO set a triangle/sausage course. The wind refused to play for the first 20 minutes or so and the start was delayed before it eventually filled in from offshore.

Race 1: Wind WSW; F2/3 and building.

Home sailors, Callum Gibb & Megan Campbell were first to the windward mark with Loz Young & Rachel Jackson close behind and Keith Milroy & Caroline Gold in third. Charles Morrish & Dan Swaffield were well off the pace up the beat but planed through to take third by the end of the first two reaches. The wind then shifted significantly to the left to leave the remaining beats very one sided and the finishing positions as they were at the first leeward mark. The first three boats all finished within seconds of each other.

Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series and Scottish Masters at Largo Bay Sailing Club - photo © Kevin Klein

Race 2: SW; F3

While the windward mark was moved to compensate for the wind shift the start line remained much the same, with the result that it was difficult to cross the line on starboard. Consequently boats sailed the line until the gun and promptly tacked onto port. Closely bunched boats and a relatively short line dissuaded anyone from attempting a port end flyer. Charles & Dan got away well and were first to the windward mark. They were never headed with Callum & Megan coming in second and Keith & Caroline third.

Race 3: SW; F3/4

Charles & Dan worked the left side of the beat to be first at the windward mark. The racing in the strengthening breeze was close and intense. The St Mary's pair were never far in front, being challenged by Callum & Megan with Nigel Orkney & Claire Watson also in close attendance. On the final full beat Callum and Nigel 'met' at the gate beside the committee boat with Callum doing turns and then retiring. The incident relieved the pressure on Charles & Dan who went on to win with Nigel & Claire taking second. Loz & Rachel came in third, somewhat making up for their error in race two where they had missed out the gate at the end of lap 2 to be given a DNF.

Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series and Scottish Masters at Largo Bay Sailing Club - photo © Kevin Klein

Congratulations to Ben Allen on completing the full day's racing in his first regatta helming an Enterprise.

With the wind and waves blowing onshore returning to the beach was tricky. Despite Charles coming in under jib alone he still managed to fall onto his tiller and break it. His event would have been over had it not been for Callum's very effective overnight repair of carbon tape and resin.

An excellent BBQ provided by the club was followed by 'sauce' and chat at the local hostelry with some sailors not getting to bed until the early hours.

Race 4: WSW; F3/4

Charles & Dan were first to the windward mark with the rest of the fleet hot on their heels. Loz & Rachel then planed past the leaders on the second reach. On the final full beat Charles got to the windward mark on port fractionally ahead of Loz on starboard. the starboard tacker made the better rounding onto the run and held the lead from there to the finish with Callum coming in third.

Nicol Halcrow & Eilidh Morton got their best result of the event and decided, given the developing conditions, that it was a good time to head back to shore

The strengthening wind had prompted a number of capsizes; Ben made the wise decision to retire after his, while Nigel & Claire's swimming experiences in races 4 and 5 probably prevented them from challenging for a podium finish.

Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series and Scottish Masters at Largo Bay Sailing Club - photo © Kevin Klein

Race 5: WSW; F4/5

Charles & Dan again went left to lead at the windward mark and were never headed. Behind them Loz & Rachel were OCS but played the right side of the beat effectively to gain the lost ground eventually taking second place with Callum third. Keith looked at the gathering clouds and decided to take his leave before race 6.

Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series and Scottish Masters at Largo Bay Sailing Club - photo © Kevin Klein

Nigel & Claire got the best pin end start with Charles & Dan just to windward. Callum, who was just behind, was heard to shout to his new young crew, 'That's grandad in front', probably referring to Charles rather than Nigel!

Nigel & Claire had a real battle with Charles & Dan up to the windward mark. The home boat was gradually pulling ahead to leeward as the two came in on the port lay line. If the beat had been any longer they would have been clear but as it was the boats effectively tacked together before screaming down the first reach. A successful gybe kept Charles & Dan ahead of the fleet. The next beat was a battle against the elements while the subsequent run to the leeward mark saw all the boats opting to wear round rather than go for the gybe. When you're going significantly faster than the waves there is often little option. The RO wisely decided to shorten up the next beat. Charles & Dan took first while Loz & Rachel who had been their closest challengers in the conditions slipped from second to fourth in the final few boat lengths to the line. An 'unobserved' ILCA on starboard caused the problem, they avoided it by ducking sharply but then found they had to duck Callum and then Nigel too before they could cross the line, a fourth place that moved them from second to third in the overall standings.

Special mention to Peter Middlemiss & Duncan Willoughby, the furthest travelled boat to get to the event. They were also the only boat outside the top three to complete all races and not capsize.

The run to shore was again eventful with a GP rolling and losing its mast, fortunately all sailors returned to shore safely.

Thanks to Largo Bay SC for again hosting a very successful event.

Overall Results: