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| More thrills and spills in close racing on Forfar Loch |
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| Written by Graeme Knox | |
| Monday, 07 July 2008 | |
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While Tuesday evening saw a light easterly breeze and close competiton, Sunday's weather created more problems for the few that braved the conditions. Racing on Tuesday 1st July was on a bright summer's evening in a light easterly breeze, and six sailors started without incident onto a short first beat. Malcolm Heron and Graeme Knox (Lasers) rounded the first mark in tandem and in confusion over the rules. Unlike their last altercation at a mark they did not collide with each other but Graeme hit the mark and his one-turn penalty allowed the Laser of Colin Tannock through. Brian Finnie (Europe) was close behind followed by Jim Green (Solo) and Craig Knox (Laser). Malcolm and Colin continued with a close battle at the front of the fleet and swapped positions more than once. Jim and Craig sailed together and were so close they discussed Wimbledon throughout an entire run. The dogfight at the front had little bearing on the final outcome. Brian was master of the conditions and won comfortably. He overtook Graeme and had the front pair groaning as, having rounded the penultimate mark, they passed going in the opposite direction and realised he was only a few boat lengths behind. Jim, despite discussing ball sports en route around the course showed he is a serious competitor in his repaired boat, taking second place and Malcolm was relieved when he just held off Colin for third. There was no racing on Thursday 3rd as this was a training evening with racing coach Brian Finnie on hand to give much needed advice. Sunday 6th July was an entirely different day. The wind was so strong and gusty from the east that there was no open sailing in the morning and conditions did not moderate for the afternoon race. Many members were away at other events so only 4 boats took part. One of the club cadets, Craig Knox, took charge as Race Officer and showed no mercy setting a long course for the first race which incorporated 2 gybes. Spectators had plenty to watch as the fleet divided between the Lasers of Tony Cook and Colin Tannock followed by Old Meldrum residents John Main (Mirror Miracle) and Garry Rucklidge (Firefly) who were glad they had made the journey from their fog bound homes. Tony must have believed the race was in the bag after the first 2 legs as he was well ahead. However he had no time to relax as Colin came straight back at him and from then on any lapse from either would have let the other ahead. Garry and John had a similar race, both staying close for long periods and even had a synchronised gybing mishap in a squall when both boats went gunwhale under and shipped a fair amount of the loch. Each pair finished in close formation with Tony and Colin taking first and second while John and Garry were third and fourth. The second race was similar to the first. Craig showed no remorse with course setting and even had the racers gybing around a little used mark in the treacherous small inlet north of the clubhouse. Again the boats split into two close pairs but this time mistakes counted. Colin tried to run by the lee but was struck and flipped over by one of the loch's infamous unseen squalls which allowed Tony clean away. John misjudged another of the loch's unseen hazards and ran aground on the inch so badly that crew Jim Green had to get out and push the boat off, which allowed Garry to get away. Tony and Colin were again first and second. However, this time Garry pulled away from John into third place. |
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