SCOTTSIH SKIFF TRAVELLERS :: STONEHAVEN 24/25 Sept 2011

Conditions were expected to be fairly good over the weekend, and not to mention with ample sunshine!

Saturday provided a moderately gusty wind and a fairly challenging sea.

Race 1 left few competitors without at least one capsize. The conditions were testing for most. Positions were changing considerably during the race. Waves on the downwind leg were doing their best to pull boats under. After a few laps the distance between competitors was considerable. J. Evans finished with a first place.

Race 2 – a poor start by most of the fleet, with only a couple of boats actually crossing the start line in the first 5 seconds! Anyway, with conditions unchanged the favoured route around the course had already been ascertained and boats were to follow in procession. Again boats were soon fairly wide apart around the course and with a few competitors taking a battering they decided to “Call It A Day”. R. Yeamans sailed well to finish first.

Race 3 – Only seven boats still sailing, and with conditions remaining much the same racing was getting a little predictable. With no real options on the course it was largely a case of follow the leader with boat speed being most important. R. Yeamans sailed well to finish another first.

Sunday donned with a breeze slightly stronger than the day before. On the sail out to the race area several competitors were already taking a dip. Surprisingly the start line was well attended despite the pre-start chaos.

Race 4 – The stronger breeze sustained itself throughout half the race presenting difficulties to most of the fleet. The wind then died a little leaving conditions now much as they were on Saturday. The fleet quickly dispersed leaving large gaps between competitors. J. Evans led the race from start to finish.

Race 5 – Competitor numbers were down following the previous race chaos and only 7 made the start. The remaining fleet was beginning to stay a little more together and the tussling for positions getting more competitive, but the leading positions were to remain more or less the same. J. Evans finished with a first place.

Race 6 – The final race to be sailed and still no clear winner between the two close leaders. The fleet was now down to 6. Competitors stayed fairly close together but R. Yeamans & J. Evans continued to hold the front. R. Yeamans sailed well to finish another first just ahead of J. Evans in second place.

The lowest overall points were shared between J. Evans & R. Yeamans but the later clinched the event on count-back.

1st R. Yeamans
2nd J. Evans
3rd I. Pittendreigh