Forfar open meetingForfar SC, Lairwell Trophy Event, 28th April 2013 Sunday 28th April saw the second National 12 event in the Scottish 2013 season, and the first of two events scheduled to compete for the Lairwell Trophy. The Lairwell Trophy was first presented in 1972 by the sailors of Perth SC and was competed for initially at a single annual event. This was gradually expanded over the years to a Travellers Series in an effort to get the N12 Class “seen” at different clubs. For 2013 the trophy is to be awarded to a combination of the best results from an event at Forfar SC; on Forfar Loch, an inland water situated in Forfar Country Park; and Solway YC where races will be held over two days in September on both the sea and river. The event at Forfar was the first time the N12’s have had an event at this small friendly Club, first established in the 1950’s. The N12’s would be racing in the Club’s handicap fleet as part of their annual Season Opening Regatta with age related handicaps to be applied for the competing N12’s which would provide something of a level playing field for those sailing in different vintages of N12. The forecast promised lots of wind peaking at F7 between 2pm and 4pm and with High Wind warnings out for Central Scotland and traffic restrictions on the Forth and Tay Bridges all signs were set for an exciting days sailing. It is possible that the weather put some off as a rather
depleted group turned out for race 1, with only two N12’s.
The N12’s were to set to compete amidst a mix of classic
classes including Wayfarers, Solo’s and Lasers, the
Wayfarers opting to use Enterprise sails and the Lasers
considering Radial rigs due to the wind strength. Just before Race 1 the wind dropped a little to an estimated F4 which allowed competitors to launch, although it soon picked up again as the race started. Angus Beyts and Murray Hadden in N2153 made an excellent start and were leading the handicap fleet up the first beat. Unfortunately on the second lap Angus’ fixed rudder parted company from the transom providing some entertaining moments for those watching and nervous moments for those onboard! Angus and Murray recovered the situation to finish 5th in the handicap fleet with Ed Willett and Sarah Smith finishing 3rd on corrected time in N1833. The fleet then came ashore for a hearty lunch of soup, bacon rolls and hot drinks which were gratefully received! During lunch the wind abated and the OOD scrambled the competitors back on to the water for the second of the scheduled three races. This literally proved to be the calm before the storm, as the wind rapidly built in strength through the race reaching the forecast F7 with a vengeance. The long and dreaded run down the loch proved the undoing of everyone on the water except the Wayfarers with their reduced sail area. Angus and Murray suffered a terminal capsize just after bearing off from the reach on to the run and were eventually recovered by the rescue boat. Having survived almost the entire leg and within reach of
the mark rounding Ed and Sarah discovered terminal velocity
in their goose-winged Proctor Mk9 with a spectacular
nosedive and capsize. However after beaching their boat and
bailing it out they managed to complete the course and get a
finishing gun (to their surprise!). With the wind still
building and the Loch a mass of white water, racing was
sensibly abandoned for the day, although not before it
was suggested that everyone “adopt a Topper” for Race 3! Overall results
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