Dalgety Bay SC Purvis
Regatta
 Musto
Skiffs from the North East of England and Scotland turned
out for the Dalgety Bay Sailing Club Purvis Regatta
on the weekend of 20th and 21st of May. The fleet of
7 boats, including some of the newer members of the
ever growing Scottish fleet had their own start, on
the Asymmetric Course. The large turn around across
all the classes for this years Regatta meant that the
non asymmetric fleets, including the development youth
fleet, were on a seperate course, from the Musto Skiff
fleet, RS200s, and mixed handicap asymmetric classes.
The light easterly breeze on the Saturday
meant it was a slow trip to the race course for all
but the earliest off the beach, but soon a light to
medium breeze filled in, allowing the fleet to gather,
and the first start to get away. Ian Trotter from Derwent
Reservoir capsized off the line at the start letting
the fleet get away up the beat, but the chase was on,
and Trotter pulled back to second place. Local hero
Ian Renilson was tough to catch, and able to keep good
speed and depth down wind, held of the advancing Trotter
to take first place, with Trotter in second. Andy Bunyan
from Largs Sailing Club came in third ahead of John
Evans, also from Derwent Reservoir in fourth.
Race Two got underway quickly, with new
comer to the fleet and ex 49er sailor John Reekie making
a good start from the pin end. This time Trotter led
the way from Renislon at the top of the first beat.
The tide was causing issues at the first mark, causing
Reekie and Bunyan to put in late tacks but were unsuccessful
in clearing the mark, leaving them trailing on the first
down wind leg. Another newcomer to the Scottish fleet,
Gavin Homer showed good boat handling to capitalise
from the error. With good all round boat speed and consistent
boat handling Trotter managed to maintain the lead and
took first place, ahead of Renilson and then Homer.
The final race of the day got away with
Trotter and Renilson again leading the fleet, and battling
for first place. Trotter took the bullet at the finish,
ahead of Renislon, with Bunyan in third. This left Trotter
leading over night, but Renislon hot on his heels.
The fleet awoke on Sunday to a fresher
easterly breeze, and chop that built through the day,
adding another challenge for the Skiff fleet, especially
at the top mark, which was further out in the river.
With Trotter leading over night, Renilson had it all
to do, but got off to a perfect start in Race 4, leading
from the start with Trotter in pursuit. But Renilson
proved that consistency would be the order of the day
taking Race 4 and 5 from Trotter. So it was all down
to the final race, but Renislon again had the measure
of Trotter to lead from the beginning, to win race 6,
and with it the weekend. Bunyan took third ahead of
Homer in fourth place.
The Musto Skiff fleet would like to thank
Dalgety Bay Sailing Club for laying on a great weekend
of racing. The fleet gathers next for the Trident sponsored
Scottish Skiff Racing Grand Prix at East Lothian Sailing
Club, which will also be the Musto Skiff Scottish Championship.
With a good number of English boats expected at this
great venue, to boost the Scottish fleet, a great weekend
of racing is expected.
Results
Ian Renilson (Dalgety Bay SC)
Ian Trotter (Derwent Reservoir SC)
Andy Bunyan (Largs SC)
Gavin Homer (Dalgety Bay SC)
John Evans (Derwent Reservoir SC)
John Reekie (Largs SC)
JP McCaldin (Dalgety Bay SC)
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