2009 Regatta Report

 A total of 24 dinghies participated in the 2009 regatta. We were pleased to welcome sailors from Loch Morlich, Invergordon, Findhorn, Gairloch and Isle of Skye Sailing Clubs.

The weather forecast was for strong Westerly winds and showers on Saturday and that is what we got -- in bucket-loads! Most boats who could do so reefed before launching into a fairly steady F5. However prior to the first starting sequence a torrential downpour seemed to spell the end of the strong winds and several crews decided to shake out the reefs before the starting gun.

 Race One : As luck would have it the winds returned on the first beat, leading to an exciting reach after the windward mark which culminated in an extremely dicey gybe mark.

When Steve's Albacore capsised, quickly followed by one of the RS Vareos it became obvious that we were in for an exciting race. Discretion was the better part... and several boats opted to wear around the gybe mark rather than risk the gybe. In the fast hadicap only six boats completed. There were five retirals. (Dave Murray 1st, Dave Allan 2nd, Steve Patch 3rd.) The slow handicap fared even worse (the increased wind hit them before their start) with only two finishers out of  ten starts. (Cameron Kitson-Jones 1st, Gary Bulmar 2nd).

Race Two: After a break to retrieve some scattered crews and boats and to eat some delicious soup and rolls the second race commenced. The strong Westerly wind persisted but the crews now knew what to expect. In the fast handicap a disputed mark rounding led to the capsize and retirement of Dave Allen's Albacore and ultimately Steve Patch was DSQ allowing Dave Murray to snatch another 1st. (Dave Murray 1st, Scott Kitson-Jones 2nd, Joe Galloway 3rd.) The slow handicap had six finishers. (Cameron K-J 1st, Gary Bulmaer 2nd, Fraser Kitson-Jones 3rd.)

Race Three: This time the race committee opted for a triangular course which made for some extremely fast sailing in winds which were estimated to be gusting up to F7. Once more the rescue teams had good reason to keep watch at the gybe mark, and the broad reach produced some spectacular white knuckle rides for the spinnaker boats in the fast class. Fast handicap (1st Steve Patch, 2nd Dave Allen, 3rd Scott Kitson-Jones). The slow handicap  produced only three finishers. (1st Cameron K-J, 2nd Gary Bulmer, 3rd Fraser K-J.

The clubhouse was packed on Saturday evening as we enjoyed a delicious meal prepared by Fiona and Gail while being entertained by the local band known as the "Lochcarron Fogies"

On Sunday morning the numbers were swelled as a crew from the Isle of Skye joined the competition and the three grils who had raced together on Saturday opted for single-handers as their Omega was "out of action".

Race Four:  was back to the "square" format and was sailed in moderate winds. The start was closely competed as shown above. Results:  Fast handicap (1st Dave Allen, 2nd Steve Patch, 3rd Dave Lilley.) Slow handicap (1st Cameron K-J, 2nd Fraser K-J, 3rd Angus Baxter.)

Race Five:  The wind was really dropping by now which tested concentration and light wind sailing skills. Fast handicap: (1st Dave Allen, 2nd Joe Galloway, 3rd Steve Patch.) Slow handicap (1st Gary Bulmer, 2nd Cameron K-J, 3rd David Millaney.)

We are grateful to Ross MacKerlich, the RNLI operations manager from Kyle of Lochalsh who presented the prizes ably assisted by his wife, Annie.

Thank you to Caley Marina who provided prize tokens and an extremely useful extra rescue boat for the event.

  (A link to their website is available by clicking on the Links tab on the left.) 

 

The Results:

Fast Handicap:

1st       David Allan (Albacore- Invergordon))

2nd      Steve Patch (Albacore - Lochcarron)

3rd       Dave Murray (Laser 20000 -Lochcarron)

 

Slow Handicap:

1st        Cameron Kitson-Jones (Topper - Lochcarron))

2nd       Gary Bulmar (Wanderer - ?Gairloch)

3rd        Fraser Kitson-Jones (Topper - Lochcarron)