Sailing Chandlery Enterprise Scottish National Championships at St Mary's Loch Sailing Club

Sailing Chandlery Enterprise Scottish National Championship prize-winners © Richard Pryke

Fifteen enterprises arrived at St Mary's Loch Sailing Club over the bank holiday weekend to be welcomed by blue skies and a warm Force 2-3 breeze. The race officer took a view of the forecast light winds on the Sunday and decided it would be prudent to attempt to run four back-to-back races on Day 1, this proved to be a good decision.

Race 1 got under way in a Force 2-3 with Richard and Millie Pryke (Ripon SC) leading round the windward mark closely followed by Nigel and Andy Bird (RYA) in 2nd and Jon Woodward and Shona Redpath (South Staffs/St Mary's Loch SC's). This order was to remain the same for the first lap and a half with Nigel and Andy creeping past the Prykes on the last run to win Race 1.

There was a delay waiting for the wind to come in for race 2. Again the Prykes got away ahead starting from the pin end. The wind had become particularly shifty and places changed on the first beat several times although the Birds seem to pick the shifts well and rounded the windward mark first. Positions changed on the second beat, the race had an almost snakes and ladders feel about it but Nigel and Andy came through to win followed by Richard and Millie in second and Jon and Shona in third.

Race 3 and again Richard and Mille got away to lead for a short time from the pin end, the wind began to die towards the windward mark when Jon and Shona took the lead, they rounded first followed By Charles and Alison Morrish, Richard and Millie, Nigel and Andy and Loz Young and Ellie Roger from Tynemouth. By the second mark Jon and Shona had pulled away followed by Loz and Ellie and Richard and Millie in third. This order was held to the finish.

Saturday evening saw St Mary's put on a great meal followed by a Ceilidh which was enjoyed by all and the now traditional serving of bacon sandwiches by Charles Morrish at midnight.

Sunday dawned with, as the RO had predicted, a beautiful scene of sunshine and a mirror finish to the Loch and despite waiting until midday the wind didn't fill in racing was abandoned making Nigel and Andy Bird Sailing Chandlery Scottish National Champions, Jon and Shona were second on discard and Richard and Millie Pryke were third.

Thanks go to St Mary's Loch SC for holding the event and our sponsors Sailing Chandlery for supporting the event.

Overall Results: