The Forfar Sailing Club Opening regatta took place on Sunday 28th April and saw 9 boats on the water, including 3 lasers, a laser 2, a laser radial, a Solo, an Enterprise, a 420 (being sailed single handed) and a 29er.
The wind for the first race was very light and very variable, starting Easterly and varying dramatically round the compass. This made the race a great challenge for all, and resulted in a great deal of overtaking when some sailors found holes in the wind, and others found exclusive breeze.
A course of Z, D, C, A was set by the race officer, in the hope that the course would avoid the dead spots on the loch.
No-one was over the line at the start of the first race, but the wind was so light that collisions were inevitable and several boats did penalty turns after accidentally touching another boat. Tony Cook (laser) and Susie Sturrock (29er), with crew Eoghan Ooosterhoorn, made it to the first mark of the course in front of the rest of the fleet. The solo of Tony Walker then came from right at the back of the field and joined the front line. Shortly afterwards the fleet split into 2 packs, with the lasers, solo, laser 2 and 29er in the front group, with the 420, laser radial and Enterprise in the second pack. The wind picked up a little from the East and the solo got the breeze first, followed by the laser of Malcolm Heron. These two made it to the second mark of the course before everyone else. After creeping slowly through the gap the solo lost the wind and came to a stop, which allowed Malcolm Heron and Susie’s 29er to slowly overtake. Malcolm took line honours, followed by the 29er, the solo and Peter Tait, also in a laser.
On handicap the places were Tony Walker 1, Malcolm Heron 2, Peter Tait 3.
The wind picked up after lunch and the breeze was much more consistent for the second race. No-one was over the line for the start and the laser 2, 420 (single handed!) and 29er all deployed their spinnaker, which was a great sight to see. This race was more fun for all concerned and, after 3 laps, the results were Tony Cook 1, Tony Walker 2, Peter Tait 3.
The third race had a more troubled start with the lasers of Tony Cook and Peter Tait over the line. The enterprise of Becci Oosterhoorn took the lead, ahead of Malcolm, the laser 2 and Peter. The wind slowly dropped during the race and some of the finishes were very close. The result on handicap was Malcolm 1, Becci 2, Peter 3.
The overall result over the three races, with 1 discard, was Malcolm 1, Tony Walker 2, Tony Cook 3.
A great day was had by all, with sunshine, soup, cakes and an osprey all adding to the fun.
