International Canoe Europa Cup at Loch Lomond Sailing Club - Day 1
by Gareth Caldwell 29 Jul 2013 21:09 BST
29 July - 2 August 2013
International Canoe Europa Cup day 1 © Alan Henderson /
www.fotoboat.com
This will be the first time that such a varied choice of hull shapes will sail against each other, from the traditional Nethercott design to the recent developments of the Morrison and Dragonfly. I am sure that the relative merits of each design will be discussed over a few drams throughout the week.
Sponsored by Tunnocks and Glengoyne, the nutritional requirements will be more than catered for.
Day one
No wind...but at least the rain had stopped! After a postponement of an hour, Alistair Warren was kitted out in his raven black sailing kit and sent onto the course to look for wind, tide and sunshine. In true biblical style, he didn't return and so the 34 strong fleet ventured forth.
Racing got underway without the need for any recalls (as always, a well behaved fleet) and close racing followed - not least due to the unexplainable wind shifts, gusts and lulls. Colin Brown (IC) and Robin Wood (AC) led the respective fleets home.
Race two started in a good force 3, but was abandoned after half an hour with a squall hitting the race course and inverting not only the positions, but also most of the boats.
With a forecast of slightly stronger winds tomorrow, the fleet look forward to an interesting sail in their long distance race.
IC fleet leaderboard:
1. Colin Brown
2. Gareth Caldwell
3. Alistair Warren
4. Colin Newman
5. Fred Stelmann
AC fleet leaderboard:
1. Robin Wood
2. Steve Goacher
3. Steve Bowen
4. Annie Stahl