Scottish Skiff
Racing
Kielder Water Sailing Club located
in the Northumberland National Park hosted the 1st 2008
Scottish Skiff Grand Prix event on April 12th and 13th
. On Saturday morning 35 boats rigged in between showers
of sleet. Inside the club was a woodburning stove to
warm those hands frozen by touching ice cold trailers.
The skiff fleet included 10 Mustoskiffs, 6 cherubs,
5 49ers, 2 foiling moths, 2 29ers, 2 59ers.
There were 3 races on a windward leeward course.
The wind was from the west, but the shifts and pressure
changes over 3 laps meant that helms had to focus constantly
on their best course around the track. Richard Stenhouse
MPS scored 2 wins. J Reekie MPS won in the 3rd. M Lyons
in his 49er was consistent and scored 2,2,3. The final
race that day was along distance 1lap windward leeward.
H. Stevenson in an International 14 won convincingly
because he took maximum advantage of a strong gust downwind.
C. Hepplewhite in a 49er was 2nd and Lyons was 3rd.
After racing, the club members cooked a delicious 2
course meal. There was just enough time after, for a
quick Mountain Bike ride. Equiped with night lights,
the bikes ripped up the newly opened purpose built trail
called ‘Shake Rattle and Roll’ near Kielder Castle.
Sunday was warmer but unfortunately for some,the wind
was lighter and and less stable. Racing was postponed
until the wind had filled across the course and was
more or less from the North. I. Trotter MPS , won the
1st 2 lap race, Kit Stenhouse MPS won the 2nd and Team
Noble 29er won the 3rd.
Over the whole weekend Kielder Water Sailing Club’s
hospitality was excellent and the race management was
slick. Thanks to OOD Mike Scott, and assistants his
wife Fiona and Paddy Lewis, and the many other helpers
Overall.
1st R Stenhouse. 15pts
2nd J Reekie. 20 pts
3rd K. Stenhouse. 25 pts
4th I. Trotter. 27pts
5th. 1st Youth. J Noble. 34pts.
Photos
here >>>
Full
Results >>>
After the event, a few sailors made time to MTB the
black run of the Deadwater Trail. This was technically
a challenge for those who spend too much of their spare
time sailing. Ian Trotter was King of the Hill. The
others better get practicing.
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