Scottish Series Day 3
by Janet West 28 May 14:08 PDT
26-29 May 2023
Today brought fantastic weather to Loch Fyne for the second last day of the Series. We were lucky enough to drop in on the sailing at the Tunnock's One Design Fleet and we weren't disappointed. Watching the One Design racing is exciting but even more so today with shorter course legs due to the light wind, set by our race officers David Denholm PRO and Eilidh Miller ARO.
There was lots of excitement at the class starts, no more so than in the Etchells class with current leader Geoff Howison sailing Hero not frightened to go for the best start but having been pushed over the line, having to watch the rest of the fleet disappear into the distance while he returned to the back to restart. While this might have been the end for many crew, not this one. They managed to read the course with enthusiasm and came in with a third place, which was a pleasure to watch. He had taken a third in the first race too and continues to lead the class on 12 points.
This takes nothing away from Stephen Rarity and Bounce Back who had a cracking start and have pushed Jake Miller and Extravaganza down in to third. Bounce Back had a great day with a second and a well-deserved first but remain four points adrift of Hero, but they do have a buffer of four points over Extravaganza. It could still be all to play for here.
Heading to the Hunter 707 Class which is the biggest class with 17 boats was always going to be a tough one to win. James Urquhart CRhu now sitting on 14 points having got a third and a fifth today, is only one point ahead of Dara O'Malley in Seaward. Seaward's crew had a great day with a first and a third. Lying in third place is Griogair Mcfarlane who managed to keep his scoreline down with a sixth in the seventh race and very well deserved first in the eighth race, which he delivered under a lot of pressure. He holds onto his third place with 19 points.
We look forward to tomorrow's class where the winner will be decided.
If anything says One Design it's the Sigmas. Local Helensburgh man James Miller sailing Mayrise has dominated the class this weekend, finishing with a healthy first and a third today giving himself a five-point barrier over Harper / Robertson's Leaky Roof. The Leaky Roof crew matched Mayrise, who had an equally good day with a healthy third and a first going on to end the day on 19 points. They have a four-point advantage over Donald McLaren and Sigmatic. Looking forward to seeing the outcome tomorrow.
The RS 21 class continues to be dominated by Liam Willis who now looks like he's giving masterclasses in races with three firsts in the last three starts. He discards a third which is his worst result, leaving him on nine points. He is seven points ahead of Calum Bell sailing A-Plan on 16 points and Paul Fisk on Responsible Sailing who picked up a fourth and a second. If I was a betting man, I'd say this class has been decided.
Class 7 Restricted Sail CYCA, Cygnet sailed by Kevin Byres had a first place today which puts him in ahead of Argento and Ken Andrews. This has only been decided on the number of firsts, as they both sit on 10 points. They are followed by Iain Nicholson and St Bridget who are one point behind them.
Class 10 Two Handed Sailing Class CYCA Mike Forbes continues to keep himself at the top of the table with a first place today over Alastair Torbet's Sprit of May who got a second and finishes on 8.5 points, but just one point ahead of Clive Reeves Maxi 1000 Lyrebird. Positions will change as it's very tight in the two handed class.
IRC Class 1 The IRC classes were given one race today away from the usual windward / leeward, to more of an orienteering course which took them to all parts of the water. It gave them all a beat, a good reach and a run and made for an interesting day. Jonathan Anderson's powerful El Gran Senor looked to revel in the conditions, and it was no surprise when she ended up with a first, leaving her on nine points.
This is just two points ahead of Gamechanger sailed by Shaun Douglas. It is quite tight between these boats as both have posted thirds as their worst results. Bruce Douglas and Spirit of Jacana got a fourth today, which he will discard, leaving him on 14 points. Much to fight for tomorrow.
IRC Class 2 (RC 35 class) Sailing in their Scottish Championships in which Charlie Frize in his Corby 33 Banshee remains on top of the leaderboard on 12.5 points, having got a second today. This was followed by the other Corby, John Stamp's Jacob, who managed to get a great result today in first, giving him 16 points. This is equal to Robin Young's J109 Jings who has had a very steady series. Much to be decided in this class tomorrow.
IRC Class 3 at the time of writing the results of this class are embargoed.
IRC Class 4 CYCA The victor today was long-term Scottish Series campaigner Iain Thomson sailing Sloop John T who got an early lead and then a great race, giving him a well-deserved first. However, Euan Morrison's Sapphire produced a second with a star-studded crew (described as the cast of Ben Hur), who ably assisted them into a second place. This gives them 15 points, a five-point lead over Ally Paton sailing Jammin' who got a fourth.
This leaves them on 20 points and Alan MacLeod moves into third, counting a third today with Samurai J.
In IRC Class 5 CYCA Jack Aitken who has dominated the class, scored another first today to sit seven points ahead of James Jamieson's Clancy who picked up three points today and is sitting on 14. And in third place, Alan Dunnett's stunning Valhalla of Ashton, which we believe has sailed in every Scottish Series took a fifth today.
This year's Scottish Series runs from 26 - 29 May 2023. For full results visit www.halsail.com/Result/Public/72211?EventID=4198