Scottish Topper Travellers at Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club

Local sailor Angus Gray-Stephens during the Scottish Topper Traveller at Tarbert Loch Fyne © Colin Hunter

Prizewinners (l to r) Niall Morrison (TLFYC), Chucky Still (Royal Gourock YC), Jamie Noyes (East Lothian YC), Angus Gray-Stephens (Tarbert Loch Fyne YC & Mid-Argyll SC) during the Scottish Topper Traveller at Tarbert Loch Fyne © Colin Hunter

On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 July, Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club hosted Round 6 of the 2009 Scottish Topper Traveller dinghy racing series.

Competitors, whose ages ranged from 10 to 15 years, travelled from as far away as Dumfries & Galloway and Glencoe to race in challenging conditions between East Loch Tarbert and Portavadie.

With Saturday’s wind speeds gusting 28 knots, and with the wind on Sunday forecast to exceed that, Graham Foster - visiting Principal Race Officer from Loch Tummel Sailing Club - opted to run four of the weekend’s six races on Day One.

As a result, Saturday late afternoon saw a tired but exhilarated fleet return to shore to be greeted with a well-earned dinner, featuring locally-caught seafood and the local butcher’s premium grade beefburgers at the hosts’ Pier Road clubhouse.

Owing to the sociable nature of the Topper Traveller circuit in Scotland, the visitors were able to share a pleasant evening with their friends from the Tarbert club.

Overnight leader in the more experienced Main Fleet was 14 year old Angus Gray-Stephens, who sails with Tarbert Loch Fyne YC and also Mid-Argyll Sailing Club. Tarbert’s own Niall Morrison, with three wins, led the Development Fleet overnight.

Sunday morning turned out sunny, with the breeze less fierce than predicted. These conditions made for a more inclusive day’s racing, creating opportunities for the younger or less experienced sailors to improve their placings.

Eventually, the battle for overall top spot came down to the last race of the weekend, and, after three laps of close racing, Jamie Noyes of East Lothian Yacht Club pipped Angus Gray-Stephens to the post to win the Tarbert Topper Traveller Trophy. Third place in the Main Fleet went to Alexander “Chucky” Still of Royal Gourock Yacht Club.

The Bellanoch Trophy, for the best-placed Tarbert junior sailor went to Niall Morrison, who also took first place in the Development Fleet.

Thanks to the enthusiasm with which visiting parents, members of Mid-Argyll Sailing Club, and local businesses gave their time and effort to help the club members ensure that the event ran smoothly, the weekend was a great success.

Overall Results:

Main Fleet

Development Fleet