Anticipating the pleasant sunshine and light winds forecast by the BBC for south of the border, the seven entries for the 2003 Scottish Area Championships arrived at the Solway YC. dinghy park to find the wind blowing an unexpected force 5 from a dark & stormy SW. With a couple of strategic changes to heavier crews, 5 of the 7 entries made the line for the first race, which was run within the Rough Firth.
First to the windward mark were Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne, closely followed by Philip David, with Howard Steavenson, Bernard Clark and Mark Simpson not far behind. After a long planing reach to Rough Island, Graham attempted what seemed an impossible gybe at full speed, proving that it was impossible by tipping over to leeward and allowing Philip through to 1st place and Bernard to 2nd both of whom prudently tacked round. By the leeward mark at Ground, Graham had recovered and was back to second, taking the lead again on the beat. The second lap was a repeat of the first except Bernard and Howard had both retired with gear failure and the fleet was reduced to 3.
On the third attempt, Graham finally succeeded in gybing at Rough (cheers from the shore) and held the lead to Ground, but with Philip hot on his ruddder. The final beat was very close with both boats neck and neck until Graham split for the committee boat end of the line and Philip for the port end. Neither crew knew who had won, but were later told in the club house that Graham had thinned it by 6 inches. Mark Simpson finished a worthy third, slowed by a large tear in his mainsail.
The second race was contested only by Graham and Philip. With wind conditions now slightly more comfortable, Graham took the lead from the start, keeping ahead of the opposition throughout the race to finish well clear.
Day 2 dawned with a low cloud base, and a brisk force 4 south westerly kicking up white horses and a choppy swell on the Rough Firth. By mid day the conditions appeared settled and final decisions were made on crew and rig, although it is fair to say that Howard Steavenson had light crew (son Thomas) & heavy crew (John Hugo) standing by until launching. Howard finally chose Thomas.
At the third start, the fleet of 5 National 12s plus the Laser fleet bunched at the starboard end of the line, making for some interesting manouevres. Graham made a clean start followed by Bernard, Howard and Philip. Mark, with Emma crewing, missed his toe straps and capsized on the line. At the windward mark, the order was the same, but covered by a few boat lengths. On the reach, Graham stretched his lead and Philip managed to pass Howard just before the leeward mark. The pattern was set for the second lap, this time Philip gaining an inside overlap on Bernard at the mark to take 2 place on the final beat. The finishing order was Graham, Philip, Bernard with Howard and Thomas taking 4 place.
For the fourth and final race, there were 3 starters. Mark went ashore to replace the tiller extension damaged during his capsize, but was still on shore when the timing sequence began. From the start the order was Graham, Philip and Bernard which stayed that way for the 3 laps.
The Scottish Daily Express Cup was deservedly won by Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne with a fine exhibition of sailing, much complimented by officers of the host club. Philip David and Alan Thomson in second place won the Mariner Mug for first Admirals Cupper, also a great effort, considering Philip’s handicap of an aging and unfit crew.
If there had been an award for endeavour, it would have been difficult to choose between Howard Steavenson and Mark Simpson, both of whom battled against gear damage to keep sailing and kept coming back for more.
Despite the severe conditions, the event was voted a success by both the competitors and organisers, to whom we owe a big thank you for their hospitality.
The overall results were:
|
Sail No |
Boat Name |
Helm/Crew |
Race 1 |
Race 2 |
Race 3 |
Race 4 |
Overall Position |
|
3469 |
Thanks for All the Fish |
Graham Camm /Zoe Ballantyne |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
3217 |
Wendy Windblows |
Philip David /Alan Thomson |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
|
3447 |
Aquafrolic |
Bernard Clark /Richard Willats |
7 |
8 |
3 |
3 |
3 |
|
3244 |
Why Can’t You |
Mark Simpson /Allan Jensen & Emma Simpson |
3 |
8 |
6 |
8 |
4 |
|
3353 |
Skywitch |
Howard Steavenson /Thomas Steavenson & John Hugo |
7 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
5 |
|
3475 |
Un Poco Loco |
John Hugo /Adam Firby |
7 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
|
3384 |
Cunning Plan |
Ian & Margaret Purkis |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
7 |