Scottish Grand Prix SeriesThe first race on Saturday started in a light breeze, and on the first beat it was a case of making the most of the windshifts and trying to seek out the best pressure up the course.
Geoff Henstridge led at the windward mark, followed by Ewan McMillan and Andrew Clegg. By the time the first triangle was completed, the wind had veered about 90 degrees and the race then became a succession of reaches allowing little opportunity for place changing. Geoff led the fleet home, pushed hard all the way by Andrew Clegg and Ewan McMillan.
The course was re-adjusted for Race 2 and the boats finally got away from a heavily biased line. Pete Malcolm made the early running with Neil Ritchie and Andrew Clegg in close attendance. The wind again was shifty, but at least we had good beats this time. Racing was close with places changing frequently.
Andrew Clegg again showed very good speed to win this race with Geoff Henstridge 2nd and Pete Malcolm 3rd.
For Race 3 the bias on the start line now made it almost impossible to cross the line on starboard tack. Pete Malcolm managed to squeeze through for an excellent port tack start, then he and Neil Ritchie arrived first together at the windward mark followed by Andrew Clegg.
These 3 eventually sailed clear from rest of the fleet. The wind gradually picked up to a force 2 - 3 as the race progressed and Pete Malcolm broke clear and sailed on to win comfortably. Andrew Clegg continued his consistent form with another second place whilst Neil Ritchie relinquished his 3rd place on the final beat following an entertaining collision /capsize with a starboard tack Wafarer. Steven Forteith took full advantage of Neils' misfortune to cross the line 3rd.
Sunday dawned sunny but windless. The boats eventually took to the water, but the little breeze there was, died completely and the fleet was sent ashore.
By 2.00 pm there was still no sign of wind and the race committee wisely decided to Abandon racing for the rest of the day.
Well done to Peter Malcolm, who also won the Inland championship based on the combined results of Loch Venacher and Loch Lomond.
Final Results
Sailed: 3 Discards: 0
| Rank | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Nett | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 176318 | Andrew Clegg | Helensburgh SC | 2.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 5.0 | |
| 2 | 171868 | Geoff Henstridge | Pentland Firth SC | 1.0 | 2.0 | 6.0 | 9.0 | |
| 3 | 179768 | Peter Malcolm | Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC | 5.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 9.0 | |
| 4 | 169155 | Steven Forteith | Oban SC | 4.0 | 6.0 | 3.0 | 13.0 | |
| 5 | 181393 | Neil Ritchie | Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC | 6.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 15.0 | |
| 6 | 182232 | David Woakes | Port Edgar | 8.0 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 19.0 | T Shirt |
| 7 | 174709 | Neil Malcolm | Aberdeen & Stonehaven YC | 7.0 | 7.0 | 5.0 | 19.0 | |
| 8 | 134372 | Ewan McMillan | Tarbert & Loch Fyne SC | 3.0 | 8.0 | 9.0 | 20.0 | |
| 9 | 177595 | David Cooke | Loch Lomond SC | 9.0 | 9.0 | 8.0 | 26.0 | |
| 10 | 91154 | David Hutson | Kinghorn SC | 10.0 | 10.0 | 10.0 | 30.0 | |
| 11 | 122389 | John Perry | 11.0 | 11.0 | 12.0 | 34.0 | ||
| 12 | 162749 | Stuart Low | Loch Lomond SC | 12.0 | 12.0 | 11.0 | 35.0 |