It had been a blustery wet day and as the crews mustered for the start of racing conditions had improved enough to allow racing. The numbers racing in the various classes had been depleted partially through weather and also holidays. This did the opportunity for others to helm and crew member Ben Neville took the helm of Tom Piper and Neil Towart took over for his father helming Stay Puff.
The Westerly wind was still gusty as the fleet made there way up to Mark A at the marina, it was then a reach over to mark B off Kilmun, the wind angle not quite broad enough for spinnakers.
After a gybe round mark b spinnakers were set and the fleet headed off at speed for Mark G off lazaretto Point, Alistair Ireland in Ragamuffin was leading the Flying Fifteens ahead of Tommy McGeachie in Efficacious.
Ben Neville at the helm of Tom Piper had taken full advantage at the start as Billie and Stay Puff caused each other problems in some pre start antics, to let him in. The dinghies initially revelled in the breezy conditions but as a gusty rain squall came through it got the better of Peter McWhinnie in his Albacore and they eventually accepted a tow back to the slip from the safety boat.
After Lazaretto the boats had a good beat up the sandbank shore through the Start/finish and on to mark A again for the same circuit, no rain squal this time round but the race officer did elect to finish racing after this 2nd round and let the crews get ashore to dry out.
Final race of this first series next week and still all to play for in the Piper and Flying fifteen classes.
Results
Flying Fifteen
1 Ragamuffin A Ireland
Piper OD
1 Tom Piper B Neville 2 Billie I Hurrell 3 Stay Puff N Towart
White sail
1 Judicious J Hoey
Dinghies
1 The Great Gonzo N McLaren