Sailability Scotland SCIO Challenger Class at Bardowie Loch
by Richard Toulson 3 Sep 2018 05:39 PDT
25-26 August 2018
Alex Hodge following Duncan Greenhalgh during the Sailability Scotland SCIO Challenger Class Regatta at Bardowie Loch © Richard Toulson
Clyde Cruising Club – Dinghy section hosted the T5 event at Bardowie Loch during the weekend of 25 & 26 August 2018. The event was sponsored by Duncan Yacht Chandlers and the entry fees were generously paid for by Mr Boyd Tunnock MBE - many thanks to both for their support.
It was a weekend of two halves. Saturday the weather was mild, sunny and nice breezes meaning the fleet got going without delay and the sailing was good. The first race saw the usual pattern of the fleet being lead by the experienced sailors Duncan Greenhalgh and Alex Hodge and the less experienced members bringing up the rear. That pattern did not change all day.
The second race saw Alex storming away from the main fleet and winning by more than a few boat lengths. Racing has been very close this season and this may be the biggest margin so far.
A break for lunch and then we were back on the water for the final two races of the day. The weather held and the wind had picked up. Duncan and Alex fought it out but they didn't have it all their own way and had to come through the fleet in race three and four.
New sailor Dik Toulson made small improvements throughout the day saying "It is great to be out on the water and sailing is such a great sport for disabled people".
And the second day of the weekend, the weather could not have been different. Gone were the blue skies and sunshine, replaced with grey clouds and rain. But the racing went ahead. It was only the final race of the weekend being held on the Sunday, so the sailors didn't get too cold despite the weather.
If you have a disability and are interested in sailing please contact and we are always interested in hearing from helpers and supporters.
Overall Results:
1st Duncan Greenhalgh
2nd Alex Hodge
3rd Stephen Thomas Bate
4th Ronnie Cameron
5th Dik Toulson