Flying Fifteen Scottish Nationals at Holy Loch Sailing Club

Nineteen Competitors raced at the Holy Loch over the 20th and 21st August from as far away as Northampton, Yorkshire and Cumbria. Sponsors Holy Loch Marina looked after the boats and Loch Fyne Oysters provided a tasty buffet to welcome crews. With prizes including malt whisky from Loch Lomond Distillery and a decent weather forecast the scene was set for a weekend of top level racing.

Breezes were fantastic and ranged from 8 to 20 knots. The fleet engaged in close racing with Goacher/Evans (3821) taking the win from Chris Bowen (3351) from Northampton (so much for local knowledge) and third Salmond/Condy (627). With the wind swinging to the SSE and building steadily the race officer was able to set a much longer windward leeward course almost the length of the loch. This breeze favoured some of the heavier crews and again Goacher/Evans moved to the front of the fleet by the end of the first beat taking a second bullet from Bowen and in third Purves/Anderson (3347).

The fleet came ashore, greeted with drams of whiskey and shortbread, courtesy of sponsors Loch Lomond Whiskey. An excellent hot supper was served in the clubhouse washed down with more samples of our sponsor’s product or the local beer depending on preference, a great evening was had by all. On Sunday morning with a very shifty breeze developing the crews waited for over two hours for the wind direction to settle. Race three got under way in a WNW breeze with big lifts to be found on the west shore of the loch and again close racing amongst the fleet whilst a breakaway group dominated the race.

The result again gave a win for Goacher/Evans from Purves/Anderson and Neville (270) in third. The last race started after a short delay to shift the windward mark and again the fleet headed to the west shore looking for lifts into the windward mark. With Goacher/Evans in the fleet at 5th and pushed to the wrong side of the run were we going to see a different race winner?

No Goacher/Evans moved up to second by the end of the run and took the win on the last beat from Jamieson/Wilson (3521) and Salmond/Condy in third. The race was a very tight affair with much place changing as crews worked hard to get one last good result as it was something of a closer match in the classic and silver divisions.

All in all a very competitive and hard fought championship. Enthusiasm for fifteens has steadily grown over the last 10 years at Holy Loch and the club was delighted to be given the opportunity to host the Scottish Nationals.

Results:

1st 3821 Goacher/Evans
2nd 3347 Purves/Anderson (and 1st in Silver Category Winner)
3rd 627 Salmond/Condy (and 1st in Classic Category Winner)