Squib Scottish and Northern Champs at Royal Tay Yacht Club
by Bob Wilson 12 Jul 2009 19:04 BST
6-10 July 2009
‘River Dance’ wins the Squib class Scottish & Northern Championships © Brian Summers
The Squib Class Scottish & Northern Championships were this year incorporated into East Coast Sailing Week 2009, hosted by the Royal Tay Yacht Club in Broughty Ferry, Dundee. This is a major East Coast event and attracts all classes of keelboats from East Scotland and North East England.
Ten Squibs entered and a full weeks racing was enjoyed with 2 races Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and 1 race Thursday and Friday. Mother Nature was reasonably kind in that it was mainly bright, warm with an occasional downpour, but unfortunately provided mainly Northerly variable winds. With The River Tay running East/West this gave very fluky conditions, especially when near the North shore when the wind would come and go and vary considerably in direction. This resulted in much place changing and a lot of frustration, but a good week was had by all.
Despite the conditions one Squib, ‘River Dance’ (740) dominated the front of the fleet and helm Bruce Baird and crew Robin Smith won the Championships. Second was ‘Crystal Tips’ (506) Angus & Rory Broadhurst and Third ‘Alkypops’ (836) Sandy Bremner and Michael Wilkinson. One very encouraging factor for the RTYC, who have an active Youth Training section, is that second, third and fourth (‘Tufnut’s’ 505 Malcolm & Daniell Worseley) places were all crewed by RTYC cadets which augers well for the future of the Squib Class at RTYC.