Stewart Brewing Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series at Loch Earn Sailing Club

The first event of the series was held at Loch Earn Sailing Club as part of their Spring Fling regatta. The forecast wasn't promising with light winds predicted yet the race officer did well to get 6 scheduled races in over the weekend.

Enterprises at the Loch Earn Spring Fling Regatta - photo © Claire Watson

Paul Young & Igor Bakowski, Midland SC, were first to the windward mark and for the subsequent reach and then run in the pouring rain. They were closely followed by Steven Forteith & Scott Graham, Oban SC. After mark 3 the leading boats including Charles Morrish & Dan Swaffield, St Mary's Loch SC, were unsure of the location of mark 4, so much for race preparation! Eventually they sorted themselves out and Steven & Scott rounded just inside Paul & Igor with Charles & Dan in close attendance. In light airs Steven crossed the line just ahead of Charles with Paul in third and Nigel Orkney & Claire Watson, Largo Bay SC, coming in fourth.

Race 2 - The wind had shifted to the forecast Westerly, force 2. Again Paul & Igor got to the windward mark ahead of the rest followed by Steven & Scott and Charles & Dan. The Oban pairing pulled through at the wing mark while Charles & Dan moved up to second place on the beat. Those were the finishing positions with Nigel & Claire again coming in 4th.

Race 3 - On the first beat Charles & Dan just held off Steven & Scott as they approached the windward mark on port, while Paul & Igor came in on starboard. Charles was able to round ahead of Paul but Steven had to give way to the starboard tacker. On the run Charles & Dan pulled clear while Nicol Halcrow & Eilidh, Loch Earn SC, found stronger breeze near the shore to move up to second with Paul & Igor slipping back to 4th. On the beat Steven & Scott regained second spot while Nicol & Eilidh were able to hold off Paul and those were the finishing positions.

The sailors enjoyed an evening involving BBQ, beer, whisky and chocolate cake in large quantities.

Sunday dawned with the forecast Easterly F2 but predicted to drop away later.

Race 4 - Steven & Scott were first to the windward mark closely followed by Charles & Dan. These two pulled away from the rest of the fleet but at mark 3 Steven took a wrong turn (again!) to allow Charles & Dan to lead and pull away up the beat. On the 3rd beat however Steven & Scott got to the windward mark just ahead of the St Mary's pair and were never headed. Paul & Igor picked up another third place finish while David & Karen Martin, Berwick SC, came in fourth.

Race 5 - With the port end heavily favoured most of the fleet approached the race box at the port end on starboard ready to tack onto port on the gun. Steven & Scott mistimed it, were OCS and had to go back. Nevertheless they still rounded the windward mark in third behind Charles & Dan who were followed by Paul & Igor. On the second beat they pulled through to lead and close cover on Charles & Dan ensured their first place. Paul & Igor came in third with Nigel & Claire taking fourth.

Race 6 - In a dying breeze Charles & Dan rounded the windward mark ahead of Paul & Igor with Steven & Scott in third. On the final beat to the line Steven found a lift and a little extra pressure close to the shore while Charles & Dan were wallowing in the middle. Paul & Igor again took third place while Mhairi Ogilvie & Lisa Griffin, Largo Bay SC, got their best result of the weekend with a well deserved fourth.

Enterprises at the Loch Earn Spring Fling Regatta - photo © Claire Watson

Congratulations to Steven and Scott for winning their first event in an Enterprise, a bit of a change from Steven's usual Waszp sailing!

Thank you to Loch Earn Sailing Club for hosting us at their Spring Fling and to Stewart Brewing for their sponsorship of prizes and to HD sails & Coast to Coast Rigging for their ongoing support this season. We look forward to seeing some of the Bluebell fleet at the 70th Anniversary Nationals in South Shields this month! The next Bluebell event is North Berwick on the 6th/7th June.

Overall Results: