Series 1 Race 4 on Wednesday 22 May saw some close racing. It was possibly the best wind of the session so far, unfortunately it was also slightly damp even above the water. The dinghy handicap fleet was on reduced numbers with just 2 boats out, The Great Gonzo - RS400 and Home Brew - Albacore. The rumour around the boat park was the missing sailors were hiding from the rain, though this hasn't been confirmed.
The first lap saw the fleet heading to mark A by the marina entrance before a nice long run down to mark D at Strone. After being a bit late to the start line The Great Gonzo made it around the first mark and hoisted it's spinnaker and took off downwind at the head of the fleet. Unfortunately, the wind slowly dropped in strength so this turned out to be the best run of the evening. Lap 2 and 3 were only down to Lazaretto point which helped with the reduced wind. Mid way through the race Home Brewing headed back to shore, leaving the Great Gonzo as the only boat representing the handicap fleet. They finished all three laps, the first time the fleet has been able to do this this season.
In the Piper Class, a new winner emerged at the end of a very close race where the leading three yachts were in close contention throughout an exciting race. The result was no surprise, however, as Sanderling was the dominant boat in last season’s domestic racing programme and with her crew of Neil and Catriona Wilson and Tom Paton beginning to iron out early season rustiness, their tactical nous was never in doubt after they had established the lead, which they protected successfully for the remainder of the race.
Meanwhile, Tom Piper( Fergus Campbell) and Robert Towart’ Staypuff which had both enjoyed prominence early on, remained in the hunt waiting for the opportunity to capitalise on any lapses from their opposition, which resulted in a close finish in the sparkling wind conditions which existed for much of the race.
In the wet conditions two flying fifteens made it out, Nae Ffear (Iain Sinclair sailing solo) and Efficacious (Tommy and Susan McGeachie). Nae Ffear led to the first mark with Efficacious taking the lead at the second, then positions changing until the third round resulting in a closely fought battle but ultimately Efficacious held the lead with excellent spinnaker work.
In the White Sails class, of the 3 boats on the start line the Sonata Moonlight had the best start and led to the first mark, with J30 Judicious close behind followed by Sigma33 Panache. However, on the run, the faster Judicious gained the lead to the lee mark at Strone. That order stayed the same although the gusty and shifty wind left the result in doubt until the final beat when a favourable shift helped Moonlight gain enough time to win on corrected time.
Dinghies: 1st Great Gonzo
Flying Fifteens: 1st Efficacious, 2nd Nae Ffear
Pipers: 1st Sanderling, 2nd Ton Piper, 3rd Stay Puff, 4th Leander
White Sails: 1st Moonlight, 2nd Judicious
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