IOM Sailing Challenge at Inchgarth Reservoir, Aberdeen

The annual IOM sailing challenge between the North East and South West Model Yachting Clubs © Ian Dundas

The annual IOM sailing challenge between the North East and South West Model Yachting Clubs © Ian Dundas

The annual IOM sailing challenge between the North East and South West Model Yachting Clubs © Ian Dundas

The annual IOM sailing challenge between the North East and South West Model Yachting Clubs was held at Inchgarth Reservoir, Aberdeen over 22/23rd September. This event, now into its third year, was originally set up on the principles of good racing, good fun and a good helping of local hospitality for the far travelled visitors.

The NE and SW teams were sailing for the “Quaich Trophy” which would be awarded to the team with the lowest average score over the 2 days counting the scores of all their participants. No prizes would be given for top finishers but a prize each day would be awarded for “Most Improved Skipper” and “Most Sporting Skipper”.

The South West was represented by 6 skippers from Woodspring Club who were determined to wrestle the Quaich away from a team of 12 locals from the North East of Scotland Clubs of Aberdeen, Buchanness and Brechin.

Saturday

Race Officer Ian Dundas ran the day using a 2 heat system to control the 17 boat fleet ably supported by Colin Cawte and Cathy Reid. The wind was initially very fickle and light requiring the first races to be run on shortened courses. The wind did pick up around lunchtime and settled in direction which led to some great racing over the afternoon. Ali Law with his Topiko was quick in all weathers and finished the day with 10 points ahead of Steve Taylor in second place on 22. Steve had sailed extremely well with his wooden hulled Zig-Zag design. For the next 6 places Trevor Bamforth , Nick Martin, Boyd Baird, Brian Robertson, Neil Jardine and Ralph Knowles were only separated by 7 points which showed just how close the racing had been. Most Improved Skipper prize went to Steve Taylor with Bob Conner awarded the prize for the Most Sporting skipper. Remarkably at the end of the day both teams were equal on an Average Score of 9.0

A dinner was hosted in a local hotel next to the sailing venue where local skippers and their better halves entertained the visitors. All agreed this was a great way to reinforce friendship upon which the event had been built.

Sunday

Ali Law took over the duty of Race Officer for the second day. With a reduced entry of 15 boats he ran the racing with a single fleet but had to contend with a difficult swinging southerly wind making it awkward to set the windward mark. The South West team started well with regular top 3 finishes but the North East team fought back. Before lunch the course was moved to the west shore to better suit the wind. In the afternoon the wind continued to strengthen requiring the fleet to change down to No2 rigs. The stiff breeze and unpredictable shifts on the shorter course made for exciting racing and very close finishes. By the end of the day 16 races had been held. For Sunday, the Most Improved Skipper was Ralph Knowles and young Ben Martin was voted Most Sporting skipper.

Although Trevor Bamforth and Nick Martin from the SW took the top 2 places the next 5 went to NE Boats; Ian Dundas, Steve Taylor, Ralph Knowles, Boyd Baird, and Brian Robertson. The overall outcome was difficult to call and would depend on the totting up all the scores and computing the team average.

In the end the South West Team won the Quaich Trophy by the narrowest of margins with an average score over the 2 days of 8.4 against 8.6 for the North East.

The event lived up to its reputation of good racing, good fun and good hospitality. Many skippers are now already looking forward to the return match in the South West in 2008

Overall Results:

SW Clubs, 8.4
NE Clubs, 8.6