|
Wilburn Homes Scottish Solo Travellers
With the Solo Nationals at North Berwick less than a month away the Scottish fleet welcomed a healthy contingent from south of the border to the third round of the Wilburn Homes Scottish Travellers Series.
Race 1 was started in a gentle breeze and bright sunshine. Jim Hunt showed his class and despite doing penalty turns gave the fleet a lesson in light wind sailing and did a horizon job. Chris Brown came home second with Ian Harridge doing his best to make it a 1-2-3 for the English visitors before realising that in all the excitement he had rounded the last mark the wrong way. As the wind died the rest of the fleet were left wallowing at the leeward mark. The only light relief was provided by Robbie Wilson having to be rescued after nearly drifting on to the rocks and Derek Gibb jumping out of his boat to cool off just as the wind returned!
The breeze filled in for race 2 and after a couple of general recalls it looked like it would be business as usual with Jim Hunt leading round the windward mark. Chris Brown had other ideas and sailed a canny first run to take the lead which he held comfortably to win from Jim. Andy Hutchinson won the battle for “best of the rest” to come home third.
The wind held for the final race decider between Chris and Jim although an over enthusiastic fleet meant race officer Ted Hill had to get his black flag out again. Chris was quick out of the blocks hotly pursued by local hero Richard Bolton who held second for most of the race. Jim Hunt made a charge through the fleet but Chris kept cool to post a second bullet and take a well deserved overall victory. Andy Hutch managed to sneak ahead of Richard on the last run to complete a hatrick of thirds.
The whole fleet enjoyed close racing and with 2 of the top 3 weighing in at over 90kgs the racing proved that the big lads can still be competitive in the light stuff. Another well run event by North Berwick and the fleet looks forward to returning in just over 3 weeks time for the big one!
Andy Hutchinson #4572
- #4983 : Chris Brown, Royal Yachting Association
- #4985 : Jim Hunt, Sutton Sailing Club
- #4572 : Andy Hutchinson, Dalgety Bay Sailing Club
- #4672 : Michael Alexander, East Lothian Yacht Club
- #5001 : Ian Harridge, Nantwich Sailing club
|