JP Watersports RS400 Scottish Tour Round 6 at Aberdeen & Stonehaven Yacht Club

A pod of dolphins visits JP Watersports RS400 Scottish Tour Round 6 at Aberdeen & Stonehaven © Claire Leven

A pod of dolphins visits JP Watersports RS400 Scottish Tour Round 6 at Aberdeen & Stonehaven © Claire Leven

With the promise of wind and a fully stocked bar, the RS400 circuit returned to the north-east coast town of Stonehaven for round 6 of the Scottish tour.

On the Saturday, it would seem that one part of the promise wasn't fulfilled, as only a light southerly appeared in time for the first race. Unusually for a 400 start, everyone got away cleanly, and normal service was resumed with Stewart and Sarah Robertson leading the race from start to finish. Angus and Immy held on for a good second place after winning the intermediate sprint on the penultimate lap.

The next two races, and the wind had built a little to allow some close racing. Everyone had worked out the right side of the beat and run was paying, meaning few opportunities for passing, and starting becoming critical. Race two was again won by the Robdobs in dominant fashion, with Bob and Nadia coming home in second. Colin and Robyn put in a solid race to finish in third. Race three, and a similar result, but only a pass on the last lap prevented a reversal of the top two. Jon and Amanda rounding out the top three.

Saturday evening, and at least one promise had been delivered to accompany the traditional BBQ. Sunday morning, and with a few sleepy heads, it was evident that there had been some wind about, but had left with only a trail of a short swell in its place.

Despite some place changing at the top of the fleet, race four was won by a familiar face. Stewart and Sarah coming in ahead of Jon and Amanda. Highlight of the race being the pod of dolphins coming past the windward mark. Immy got rather excited, with her squeals reaching such a high pitch we reckon she was communicating with them.

A pod of dolphins visits JP Watersports RS400 Scottish Tour Round 6 at Aberdeen & Stonehaven - photo © Claire Leven

Race five, and finally a breakthrough from the pack. Jon and Amanda led from the front to lead the Robertsons home. Bob and Nadia finishing a steady third in both races.

Final race, and Stewart muttered something about either a bad back, or a long drive, and left the rest to fight it out of the final honours of the day. Following an incident packed windward mark, Jon and Amanda passed Angus and Immy to take the win. Team Gonzo (Jamie and Neil) managed to put a good race together to finish third ahead of the rest of the chasing pack.

Podium Positions:

1. Stewart & Sarah Robertson
2. Jon Gay & Amanda Henderson
3. Bob & Nadia Yeamans

And now the nominations for the prize everyone wants to win, the Duckhams!

1. Jon and Amanda. Successfully nailing the pin end in race 2 by hooking it around their rudder and being stuck whilst the rest of the fleet sailed by.
2. Bob and Nadia for threading the spinnaker pole through the rope loop on the top mark and getting hung up whilst fleet sailed by.
3. Colin and Robyn for laughing so hard at Bob that he then hung himself up on same buoy.
4. Stewart and Sarah for storming out of The Ship Inn because the room had a view of asbestos shed roof and a noisy air conditioning unit. Spending the next 2 hours looking for an alternative but having to go back to The Ship. A few beers and gins later though nobody cared.
5. Angus and Immy for failing to buy a new inflatable mattress.
6. Fraser and Dave for forgetting to strap the boat to the trailer before leaving Stony. "Why is the boat airborne?"
7. And finally, someone will only be finding out now that they have left a mainsail in one of the club sheds.

Overall Results: