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| Variable conditions again at Forfar Loch |
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| Written by Graeme Knox | |
| Monday, 25 August 2008 | |
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Conditions ranged from light airs to strong winds at Forfar Loch last week.
Tuesday 19th saw the biggest turnout of the week when 7 boats started, or more accurately drifted, eastwards across a glass like surface. Tony Walker (Enterprise) and Alison Geddes (Solo) came out best and rounded the first mark comprehensively ahead only to be becalmed again on the way back when the rest of the fleet caught up and the boats clustered. Peter Tait was race officer and about to abandon the race on several occasions but the cluster kept moving tantalisingly before stopping again. Positions changed and Alison, normally out front in light airs found herself beside the slowest boat, the Heron of Graham Topping. The final leg took a long time and decided the final outcome. Although first across the line Tony Walker ended second behind Jim Green (Solo), who saw a light air stream and cuffed the rest. Alison spotted the same air and came from the back of the fleet to take third not far ahead of Nick Whyte (Solo) in fourth. A long way back Graham Topping doggedly finished to secure his needed 5 points, by which time others had already given up and reverted to paddling, nearly having to show navigation lights in the dark. The wind was too strong and the weather nasty so unfortunately there was no sailing on the Open Eveing on Thursday. Despite this two newcomers who did not get the chance to sail that evening returned on Sunday morning determined to give it a try and were rewarded with a brisk westerly and a fun sail in the club Wayfarers. The wind increased towards the start of the first race on Sunday 24th. Only a Wayfarer sailed by Tony Cook with Gail Adams bravely volunteering as his crew and the Laser of Graeme Knox set off around a complicated course. Graeme pulled well clear only to death roll downwind on the first run and with his sail in the air took an age to recover. Although the Laser still crossed the line ahead, Tony easily won on handicap. The conditions were the same at the start of the second race. Graham Topping rigged another Wayfarer with Garry Rucklidge (whose Firefly was safely tucked away) as crew. Peter Tait took to the water in his Laser so there were now 2 pairs of identical boats. Graeme (Laser) edged ahead on the windward legs and sailed conservatively after his earlier swim while Peter drew back on the runs using very fast but effective manoeuvres close to the edge of disaster. The Wayfarers, on the other hand, were neck and neck at all times and had a great race. On handicap the Lasers took first and second with Graeme a few seconds ahead of Peter. The Wayfarer race was even closer and could have gone either way but Tony just shaved ahead of Graham for third and fourth respectively. Despite the conditions many agreed this race had been one of the most entertaining for some weeks. There will be racing as usual on Tuesday 26th and Sunday 31st but there will be no further Thursday evening sailing this season. Sunday morning will see the last of the open sailing sessions of this season. |
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