Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club © Stephen Phillips

Six visiting Challengers made their way to Loch Earn Sailing Club for the final event in Sailability Scotland's 2026 Challenger Traveller Series. Unfortunately, while there was a Challenger available for Liz Eaton, she was unable to come. However, the fleet was joined by local sailor, Jack Halcrow, standing in for Craig Moffett, and sailing Craig's Poppy Ann (295).

There was much debate during Friday's evening meal, concerning the pessimistic weather forecasts which showed only light breezes of 3kts for the whole weekend. However, everyone turned up bright and early on Saturday morning keen to get the boats ready. They found ripples covering the whole loch, indicating racing would most likely start on time.

A trapezoid course was announced at the briefing which used the full width of Loch Earn and had a long run down the far shore, guaranteeing interesting sailing in the very light breeze. The Challengers would have the first start and the club dinghy fleet (racing for the St Fillans Cup) the second.

The Challengers launched to find a fresher breeze than anticipated (good) and the dinghy fleet hogging the starting area (not so good).

After a few (polite) requests the dinghy fleet left the starting area allowing the Challengers a clean start to Race 1. Jack got the best start from low down the long start line and found the best pressure to lead the fleet towards the first mark.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club - photo © Stephen Phillips

Duncan Greenhalgh (280) and Val Milward (312) started towards the favoured port end of the line and headed the fleet to chase Jack down near the windward mark. Val managed to get water at the mark and soon took the lead. Duncan came through to second, leaving Jack third. The three boats held these close positions for the rest of the two lap race. An ever improving Zoe McPartlin (234) followed to achieve a very creditable fourth place.

Unfortunately Lynn Steward (238) got tangled up with a fishing line which was being trawled close to the race course. She drifted close to the shore and had to be rescued by an ever vigilant safety boat.

The fleet returned to shore for lunch provided by Sailability Scotland, using funds donated by Sir Boyd Tunnock of Tunnocks Biscuits, and prepared by the ever willing shore crew.

Race 2 got off to a similar start with Val and Duncan taking the lead but with Zoe, rather than Jack, keeping in touch with them to get her best result of the event in third. The initially fresh breeze disappeared leaving patchy and shifty conditions. The race finished with the rest of the fleet spread way down the course in the difficult conditions.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club - photo © Stephen Phillips

The fleet had expectations that racing would be abandoned for the day, however, the race officer indicated her intention to proceed with Race 3.

Val and Duncan used their experience to pull out a big lead, which they held, comfortably, well into the second lap. Unfortunately, what little breeze there was began to disappear altogether. Along the long run it was clear that Zoe and Jack were closing on the leading two boats. Steve Laycock (3) was at least a leg and half behind. The four leading boats tried in vain to make their way to the finish line. They watched in horror as Steve, in his own, private, little wind stream, raced along the run and sped down the short reach and headed direct to the finish followed by Jack. This was Steve's first race win and, as expected, he was very excited. He will be dining out on this for a long time.

Everyone retired to the Seasons View Hotel in St Fillans for the evening meal. As expected an in-depth postmortem was conducted into the day's events. The finish of the last race of the day was revisited several times.

As with Saturday, Sunday's forecast was not promising, but again on arrival a light breeze filled the loch. It came directly from Lochearnhead so promised steady conditions.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club - photo © Stephen Phillips

The club keelboat fleet replaced the dinghy fleet. Like the dinghies, they were racing for the St Fillans Cup. The race officer explained the keelboats would start first "to get out of the Challengers' way".

The Challengers kept clear of the keelboats and they started Race 4 with Val and Duncan leading the way. They established a clear lead with occasional place changing on the first lap, but at the start of the second lap Val achieved a clear advantage and she continued to extend to the finish.

Steve, buoyed by the confidence of his success in Race 3, led the remaining boats to take third. Jack was struggling in the lighter breezes and came fourth followed by Zoe. After her traumatic experience the previous day, Lynn was persuaded to sail again and to her credit to finished the race.

Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club - photo © Stephen Phillips

Race 5 was a repeat of Race 4 with Val and Duncan fighting it out on the first lap and Val getting the upper hand during the second one. Steve's confidence held and he took third with Zoe fourth. The sailors returned to shore having completed the five planned races to the credit of the race officer.

The prize-giving was presided over by Jack standing in for the Sailing Secretary (his son) who was sailing elsewhere. Val, the clear winner, gave thanks to the club volunteers and visiting helpers (Annie, Jean, Saskia and Keith) without whom the sailors would struggle to get afloat.

Although this might be Sailability Scotland's last Traveller event of the year, a fleet of Challengers will be taking part in the Round Shuna Weekend (5-6 September). They will be hoping to defend the titles they won in 2024.

For further information about Sailability Scotland visit www.sailabilityscotland.org.uk.

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