The Bosuns Locker Trophy at Port Edgar Yacht Club
by Liz Tulloch 30 Apr 2007 16:13 BST
29 April 2007
With the Forth now declared free of pollution, the Forth Inshore Series sponsored by Forth Yacht Clubs Assoc. got away to a cracking start.
A fleet of 25 set off from Port Edgar to race for the Bosun's Locker Trophy presented by local chandler, Jock Blair. Sixteen sailed in Division 1, Fast Yachts and 9 took part in Division 2.
Conditions were testing for all competitors, the easterly wind kicking up heavy seas but the sun broke through to bring some warmth to compensate.
The wind had a bit of south in it which generated some marginally overpowering gusts for those in the wrong place at the wrong time causing the unwary to broach.
Division 1, the Fast Yachts, sailed a course down river to round a mark off the island of Inchkeith and Fife businessman, John Murphy in his well –known North Sea racer, Erin, chose to stand in on the Fife coast and established a good lead.
As Erin rounded the mark at Inchkeith, up went the familiar red and white spinnaker and she was off, charging back to Port Edgar with a bone in her teeth.
Rival, Phil Walter in the Corby 29, Henceforth, gave chase but this was Erin's weather and she was not to be caught.
A shorter course to a mark off Inchcolm was sailed by Division 2 and Murray Carmichael's Naiad led the fleet home to a well deserved win.
This was the first of a series of races for the FIG racers which continues throughout the season.
Overall Results:
Div 1
1st Erin, J Murphy (PEYC)
2nd Henceforth, P Walter (PEYC)
3rd Jay Gee, L Henderson (DBSC)
Div 2
1st Naiad, M Carmichael (PEYC)
2nd Brief 'n Counter, Williams & Franks (DBSC)