The start of the final Series attracted a strong fleet of six Pipers, despite the driech conditions, although there was sufficient breeze, if rather fluky, to ensure that race officer Bill Aitchison could enable the full course of three rounds to be sailed. The main protagonists were the ever-present Tom Piper, helmed by Fergus Campbell, and Stay Puff, with guest helmsman Neil Towart along with her regular loyal crew of Caroline Clark and Charmaine Russell. The lead was swapped by these two boats throughout the race and it was only at the last mark that the race was resolved as Tom Piper, for the second race in succession, relinquished the lead to allow the Stay Puff crew to take a narrow but well deserved victory.
Three Flying Fifteens started in the wet and variable conditions. Nae Ffear, helmed by Iain Sinclair with Kirsty Brown led at the first mark and held the position to the end. Positions changed throughout the race for Woffle (Jim and Frances Maclean) and Efficacious (Tommy and Susan McGeachie) with Woffle finishing ahead taking second position.
The three regular Whitesail yachts arrived on the start line on the gun but a heading shift then a lull made it a struggle to cross the line. Jim Hoey’s J30 Judicious at the port end was able to edge out into some breeze in the middle of the loch, followed by Neil Stewart’s Sigma33 Panache, while Nigel Scriven’s Sonata Moonlight tacked on to port, hoping for a better angle in the right direction. This proved costly as Judicious found more breeze and arrived at the Lazaretto mark well ahead of Moonlight and Panache. The run down to the lee mark saw the gap widen, and this remained the status for the next lap. However on the last run to the lee mark the variable wind faded for Judicious who headed out to the middle of the loch searching for breeze. By the time Moonlight joined the run to the last mark the easterly wind held, suggesting not all was lost. Judicious still rounded well ahead, but was headed after each tack on the short beat to the finish. When Moonlight rounded the last mark they were lifted on each tack, making the finish line in two beats, giving Judicious a just cause for concern, and making the outcome on handicap an anxious wait. After the time corrections, the win went to Moonlight by just under 2 minutes, with Panache in third place.
For the dinghies, both Home Brew, Albacore, and The Great Gonzo, RS400 were missing crew members. The wind was a bit up and down leaving them pondering if it was a night to stay ashore or go afloat. Neil McLaren in Gonzo decided to give it a go. The course was fairly short, from the Club up to Lazaretto point, down to the marina entrance and back through the start/ finish line. Gonzo was definitely overpowered with only one on board, but staying with only the main and jib it was making good progress. Until the very last leg back up to the finishing line when the jib sheet recleated on the old side causing Gonzo to rest the sails on the water. Keeping his feet dry Neil got Gonzo back up and finished the race. Not easy to complete the course on your own in the conditions, a knight in shining armour brought Neil the trolley and helped him pull Gonzo up the slip way that was living up to its name.
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