Enterprise Scottish Area Championship and Bluebell Series at East Lothian Yacht Club

Stewart Brewing Enterprise Scottish Area Championship and Bluebell Series at East Lothian © Claire Watson

Stewart Brewing Enterprise Scottish Area Championship and Bluebell Series at East Lothian © Claire Watson

The Scottish Areas were held in the most challenging conditions of the season so far, yes Scammonden was 'worse' but it was so bad that racing had to be abandoned, whereas here all races were completed despite wind speeds of 30knots being recorded on the Sunday.

As is the current fashion the RO set a trapezoidal course; the Ents were set an additional lap round the outer loop, starting behind the ILCA fleet (more of which later).

Race 1: SE F4 gusting 5. The beat was hard work with a fairly heavy swell coming in from the North Sea. Nigel Orkney & Claire Watson got to the windward mark first with Charles Morrish & Fi Foulkes close behind. Charles & Fi planed rapidly across the reach to lead at the outer loop top mark and pull away from the rest.

Behind them a monumental battle ensued with Nigel & Claire coming in just ahead of Paul Young & Mhairi Ogilvie with Peter Middlemiss & Esther Bowdler right on their transom in a fast planing finish. Nicol Halcrow & Eilidh Morton found conditions just a bit too challenging and sailed in which was unfortunate because by the time the second race started the wind moderated.

Race 2: SE F3/4. Racing up the beat was close, the shifts were quite small and the tide didn't seem to favour one side or the other. Charles & Fi got to the windward mark first and pulled away from the rest.

Again there was a battle for second place which was resolved on the planing reach to the finish. Peter & Esther rounded the bottom mark ahead but slipped to fourth, Nigel & Claire pulled past but were just pipped on the line by Paul & Mhairi who swept by to claim second.

Race 3: SE F4/5 The wind picked up again though not quite as much as in Race 1. Again Charles & Fi were first to the windward mark and again there was a tight battle for second which was won by Paul just ahead of Nigel with Peter in fourth.

A planing reach for the full mile and a half into shore was a great way to finish the day! The fleet retired en masse to Edinburgh (Chez Morrish) for chilli, beer, gin, wine and whisky, avoiding accommodation costs in North Berwick.

Stewart Brewing Enterprise Scottish Area Championship and Bluebell Series at East Lothian - photo © Claire Watson

Sunday's forecast had been SW F5 gusting 7, it was correct! There was an entertaining run to the starting area with many sailors from other fleets spending time inspecting their centreboards. Only one of the boats in the skiff handicap fleet (N 14s and RS800s) even made the start line.

Nicol & Eilidh came out to 'give it a go' but after a swim waiting for the first race decided that discretion was the better part of valour and returned to shore.

Race 4: SW F6/7 The first beat was a battle against the elements and Nigel & Claire won it by getting to the windward mark first followed by Charles & Fi. Everyone wore round at some point on the first downwind leg.

On the second beat Nigel kept left followed by Paul & Mhairi while Charles & Fi went right and lost out heavily. They came back towards the left crossing several boat lengths behind both Nigel & Paul and not far in front of Peter & Esther who were all heading right. Charles & Fi hit the port layline and tacked to discover that somehow, they were back in contention.

A combination of lobster pots, ILCAs and tide had significantly slowed the leading two. They ducked Paul and crossed Nigel, who had swapped places, and tacked for the mark. Paul had failed to make it and coming back on port had to duck behind them. They pulled away across the reach but the others were in close contention.

To gybe or not to gybe? They went for it, came out unscathed and went on to take the gun with Paul second and Nigel third.

Race 5: SW F5/6. The wind moderated very slightly and this time it was Paul & Mhairi who won the battle of the first beat followed by Charles & Fi and Nigel & Claire. At the top of the run Paul wore round where Charles & Fi simply bore away to take the lead. Part way down the run they picked their moment, completed a gybe and were never headed. Paul & Mhairi were second with Nigel & Claire third.

Race 6: SW F6/7 The consensus was this was the windiest race of the lot. Charles & Fi had decided to head for the beach leaving the remaining three to 'enjoy' the race - Mhairi said it was 'great fun'. Paul & Mhairi won the first beat with the others close behind. All wore round on the downwind leg. At the top of the second beat Nigel was first followed by Paul.

On the downwind leg Nigel & Claire were simply blown over promoting Paul to first and Peter to second. Paul wore round successfully to take the gun. Peter's manoeuvre was less auspicious so he and Esther slipped back to third as Nigel & Claire recovered to take second.

Congratulations to Fi for crossing the line ahead of everyone else the most times over the course of the weekend!

Thanks to Stewart Brewing, HD sails and Coast to Coast Rigging for their sponsorship of this event.

Stewart Brewing Enterprise Scottish Area Championship and Bluebell Series at East Lothian - photo © Claire Watson

Overall Results:

Furthest Travelled - Helm: Paul Young, Crew: Esther Bowdler