RS400 JP Watersports Scottish Tour Event 1 at Port Edgar Yacht Club

RS400 Scottish Tour at Port Edgar © Jim Scott / Port Edgar YC

RS400 Scottish Tour at Port Edgar © Jim Scott / Port Edgar YC

From a snowy first event of the season in Loch Tummel a few weeks back the next Scottish Tour Event was to be held in tropical conditions at Port Edgar Yacht Club on the Firth of Forth on the 14/15th May with a day of training followed by one day of racing.

RS400 supremo Stewart Robertson was the coach for Saturday with about 10 boats and crews eager to hear how to make the boat go fast. Great to see new faces David/Tony and Mike/Alan joining the class this season showing the news of how active the class is is spreading fast. The day was packed with follow my leader exercises, light wind tacks and gybes and starts a plenty. All retired back to shore ready for the now annual Queensferry curry night....but hoping for a bit more breeze on the Sunday.

Sunday dawned even warmer but sadly still a light and fairly fickle breeze so fair credit to the PEYC race management (who maintained there was a 'steady' 6 knots throughout!) who managed to get the fleet 4 races in for the now 15 boats. With a strengthening tide during the day adding to the challenges of the breeze it certainly paid to keep your head out of the boat.

Stewart had swapped the classroom and joined forces with Sarah to show the fleet how to do it on the water winning the event with 3 bullets out of 4. Sometime challengers through the various races included Jim/Ben combo who ended up second closely followed by Neil/Naomi and Ben/Jenny.

With 7 points separating half the fleet in the mid-table final scores there was competitive racing throughout with place changes happening regularly and most boats having their moments to shine – the Wormit boys of Dave/Fraser putting in a credible 4th place in race 3 and father/son combo of Gavin/Andrew competitive in their first RS400 outing – the jury is out on who was actually helming for which races...

In typical RS400 fashion the Duckhams award was potentially the most hotly contested by the time boats were packed up on Sunday. Contenders included Rob M (Playbuoys) for multiple attempts at leaving home without full sailing gear and local boys Kevan and JP who apparently ran aground most often. However, Keith B has to win for the multiple entry of being DSQ while in 1st place in R1 for sailing through the start/finish line mid-lap followed by an early shower to watch a 'ballet show'!

Many thanks to all those at the club supporting the weekend, Stewart for his coaching and JP Watersports for their continued sponsorship of the tour.

Next up North Berwick (ELYC) on the 4/5th June.

Overall Results: