Please select your home edition
Edition
Doyle Sails 2020 - Redefining Boundaries 728x90 TOP

Finn Traveller and Scottish Championship at Largs Sailing Club

by Stewart Mitchell 1 Sep 2022 12:24 PDT 27-28 August 2022
Largs Channel with Cumbrae and Arran in the background © Marc Turner / www.pfmpictures.co.uk

Eight Finns entered the Scottish Traveller Series event hosted by Largs Sailing Club on the Clyde Estuary. The championship was held within the larger Largs Regatta Festival, which hosted several cruiser and dinghy classes, including cats, fast and slow handicaps.

Saturday dawned windless and warm and the RO had no option but to AP the start. Several coffees later taken in the warm, sunny, still morning, a gentle south-westerly breeze slowly began to build. AP was lowered and the Largs sailing regatta began. The Finn class raced within the slow handicap fleet which gave close boat on-boat racing, challenging starts and mark roundings.

In the light breeze, north running tide and shifts it proved to be challenging tactical racing. With the light winds, a short windward-leeward course was set for two races and a triangular one for the third, which gave some "interesting" tactical racing in the mixed fleet. Russell Ward and David Kitchen exchanged leads in the first race, with David taking line honours, then it was David again taking a win in the second and in the third race Roddy Steel.

Four races were planned but racing was completed after three, due to the late start and the fading breeze.

Despite the light airs the racing was very close and pleasant in a very warm and sunny Firth of Clyde. Unfortunately, David's good on the water performance was relegated due to misinterpretation of going through the line which was a real shame but David accepted it graciously, Russ also picked up an OCS in the first race which handed Stewart his first ever Finn race win.

Boats were packed away for the night and the Finnsters retired to the Largs sailing club balcony to recall the racing and past memories whilst downing several pints of the delicious local draught ale. The organisers had laid on an excellent fish and chip van, and a local hand-made pizza stall, whilst in the marquee a live band fired up. The sailing club terrace sunset view over to Cumbrae, Arran and Bute was the ideal spot for food and ale, and an evening of stories.

New to the Finn class sailor Keith Veasey was warmly welcomed. Sailors retired tired but happy after an enjoyable day.

Day 2 the famous round Cumbrae single race day was scheduled but absolutely no wind welcomed the sailors. AP was hoisted for 2.5hrs with much gazing at the water waiting for the wind, just as N over A was being attached to the clubhouse flagpole in prep for a 1pm announcement, a light pressure filled in from the NW and "prepare to race" message was sent to the WhatsApp message group just as sailors were starting to pack up.

Sails were hurriedly pulled back onto booms and the fleet launched for the alternative course in Largs channel around navigation buoys. With slightly more pressure than Saturday the Finns were further up the mixed fleet and had a good dice around the cans which took them close into Cumbrae island and some challenging shifty puffs of wind. Roddy took an early lead with Russ, David and Stewart in hot pursuit.

Roddy Steel was a worthy winner of the weekend with Russ in close second and Stewart taking third overall. After an initial large interest in the event, due to the light forecast it was a modest Finn fleet for this traveller event, where everyone thoroughly enjoyed the close racing, the stunning scenery, hospitality and warm weather - albeit the wind gods were sleeping.

Many thanks to Largs Sailing Club and Largs Yacht Haven as hosts, and sponsors Saturn Sails and Coastworks.

See also: Photo Gallery by PFM Pictures

Slow Handicap Fleet Results:

PosClassSail NoHelmCrewClubPYR1R2R3R5Pts
1stRS 2001632Robbie BURNSLuke BURNSLargs SC1046‑11113
2ndGP1414206Alan JONESSue WATSONBassenthwaite SC1130222(RET)6
3rdFINNGBR 710Roddy STEEL Keyhaven YC1049‑1444210
4thGP1413300Doug PATONJaney PATONHelensburgh SC1130‑1133511
5thFINNGBR4Russ WARD Hayling Island SC1049(OCS)7.56417.5
6thALBACORE6703Crawford REIDNada SHEHABStrathclyde Loch SC1040‑1555818
7thILCA 6208887Cameron MCDAID Largs SC11473611‑1320
8thRS 200951Rebecca SMITHDaniel SMITHLargs SC1046‑127.510320.5
9thFINNGBR77Stewart MITCHELL Solway YC10495‑1212724
10thGP1414056Arthur LOGANPeter COLLINGSCastle Semple SC1130‑997925
11thILCA 7180764Gavin MCGILL Largs SC11007109‑1126
12thFINNGBR 111John DELEEUW Loch Venachar SC104913118(DNC)32
13thRS 200930Martin FAULKNERBill FORSYTHLargs SC104610‑15131033
14thILCA 6215531Ruairi HERRINGTON Largs SC114741618(DNC)38
15thILCA 6175732Finley BRIGGS Largs SC114781317(DNC)38
16thILCA 6205652Ellise FITZGERALD Prestwick SC1147‑2214141442
17thENTERPRISE16356Andrew MACDONALDLouise DAVIDSONCastle Semple SC112216‑20161648
18thFINNGBR51David KITCHEN Port Edgar YC104921‑2323650
19thGP1412954Stephen HARRISONDavid McFadyenLargs SC11301817‑201550
20thFINN750Keith VEASEY Solway YC1049171815(DNC)50
21stGP14GP13872Paul O'NEILLTom KELLYCastle Semple SC113019‑21211252
22ndRS TERA PRO2109James REEKIE Bassenthwaite SC13596(RET)DNCRET58
23rdILCA 6166332Lachan Davis Largs SC1147(NSC)1919DNC64
24thILCA 7159179Fraser LAWRIE Largs SC1100202222(DNC)64
25thTOPPER45737Orlagh MACDONALD Castle Semple SC1365(RET)DNCDNCDNC78

Related Articles

Finn World Masters overall
Filipe Silva wins after no more racing possible Filipe Silva, from Portugal, has won the 2023 Finn World Masters at Nea Iraklitsa, Kavala, Greece, after no more races were possible on Friday. Laurent Hay, from France is second with Peter Mosny from Slovakia in third. Posted on 2 Jun
Finn World Masters Day 4
Filipe Silva extends after two more races held Filipe Silva, from Portugal, has extended his lead at the 2023 Finn World Masters at Nea Iraklitsa, Kavala, Greece, after two races were sailed on Thursday. Posted on 2 Jun
Finn World Masters Day 3
Racing on hold in Greece No more races were possible on Day 3 at the 2023 Finn World Masters at Nea Iraklitsa, Kavala, Greece, after the wind played games all day. Posted on 31 May
Finn World Masters Day 2
Filipe Silva takes the lead in Kavala, Greece Filipe Silva, from Portugal, has taken the lead at the 2023 Finn World Masters at Nea Iraklitsa, Kavala, Greece after one more race was sailed on Tuesday. Winner of the only race on Tuesday, David Terol from Spain, moves up to second. Posted on 30 May
2023 Finn World Masters Day 1
The event is finally opened on idyllic Greek beach The 2023 Finn World Masters was finally opened Monday evening on the idyllic beach at Nea Itaklitsa, near Kavala, in Greece and against the backdrop of the beautiful Gulf of Kavala. Posted on 29 May
2023 Finn World Masters opens
145 Finn Masters set for a Finn-tastic week in Greece Some 145 sailors from 30 nations have completed registration and are ready for the 2023 Finn World Masters to begin, at Nea Itaklitsa, near Kavala, in Greece. Posted on 28 May
Finn World Masters preview
150 sailors from 30 nations are descending on the small town of Nea Iraklitsa It has been eight years since the monumental 2015 Finn World Masters took place in Kavala, Greece, but next week the event makes a very welcome return to the same club, albeit in a new location. Posted on 27 May
Finn Northern Championship at West Riding
Visitors from as far afield as Scotland and the South Coast Three Champions still came out on top despite light winds at the British Finn Association Northern Championship at West Riding Sailing Club. Posted on 20 May
Open & U23 Finn Europeans Csopak, Hungary overall
Domonkos Nemeth makes history to take both Finn European titles Domonkos Nemeth from Hungary took it right to the wire but claimed both the 2023 Open and U23 Finn Europeans in Csopak, Hungary on Thursday. In doing so, he becomes the first sailor ever to win both the senior and U23 titles in the same year. Posted on 18 May
Open and U23 Finn Europeans Csopak, Hungary Day 4
Domonkos Nemeth moves closer to first Finn European title Domonkos Nemeth from Hungary took three more race wins on the fourth day of the 2023 Open and U23 Finn Europeans in Csopak, Hungary to take a commanding lead with just one more day to sail. Posted on 17 May
SailGP_Technologies_Foil_1456x180 BOTTOMRS Sailing 2021 - FOOTERHellamarine-Apelo-A3-@2x_1456x180px BOTTOM