Scottish Stealth Championships at Largs Sailing Club
by Mark Homer 30 Aug 2010 13:40 BST
28-29 August 2010
The Scottish Stealth Championships were held at Largs SC during their Clydeport Cumbraes weekend 28/29th Aug incorporated into the SNECCA Scottish Championships.
4 different varieties of Stealths were present to add spice to the event. Racing was held in the Largs channel with fierce Nor Westerly winds topping 25 to 30 knots. This caused the odd race ending with minor breakages and more than a swim or two for some.
Lardy boy Homer (HSC) in his oversized Stealth SXL was first for a dip when his trapeze parted due to his less than inconsiderable bulk and an early trip ashore , Kev Lynch (HSC) Stealth F16 Solo grasped the opportunity and took the line honours, but was pipped by Neil Mc Intosh (HSC) sailing a Stealth Lite Solo (Neil prior to the event took a walk through his F16 main and was forced to use a spare "tiddler" 10m2 main instead, no great disadvantage in the high winds, plus a nice handicap advantage) indefatigable Raf Oujez (HSC) Stealth F16 Solo was third.
The next race saw Homer manage to finish the race first though as the race lasted only 14 minutes was not too great a challenge, Kev boy was again pipped by the Tosh for 2nd giving him another 3rd.
Race 3 wind was up again two whole rounds this time were sailed 1 too many for Homer, Toshman Neil revelled and took line honours and win Raf second, Lynch fella 3rd after his 'senior' moment at the start from which he never recovered.
In race 4, the wind had kindly moderated a wee bit, but too late for Oujez and Homer who were ashore nursing wounds and enjoying the first sup of the day. Kezza Lynch sailed a fine race and won, ole Tosh boy Neil had to call it a day when his hands refused to unlock from a fist consequently being unable to hold a sheet retired for some TLC, however his performance rewarded him the Championship after having it snatched unfairly last year in the last moments of play, he was also crowned Scottish Single Handed Cat Champ within the SNECCA Championship. Weary Kevin Lynch only 1 point adrift form Champ Tosh vowed 'next time', though with the steadily increasing Stealth fleet this will be no mean achievement. Tenacious Raf Oujez was rewarded for his sterling performance with 3rd overall despite 4 capsizes and losing a wing.
Fraser Gray won the 'Concours' for his nice new shiny Stealth F16 Duo all pimped up and a force to be reckoned with once he gets it wet. ;-)