The dream continues at Tarbert
by Lorraine Alonzi 30 Apr 2012 14:06 BST
1-4 June 2012
Entries for the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, which takes place on Loch Fyne over the Queen's Diamond Jubilee weekend (1st – 4th June), are steadily arriving at the offices of the organisers Clyde Cruising Club and once more it seems assured that there will be large number of past winners of the Scottish Series Trophy among the classes.
Close to half the number of winners of the top award over the last 30 years return to Tarbert year on year, making the annual pilgrimage to Loch Fyne as they seek to repeat their successes. Of course among them are multiple winners such as Jonathan Anderson, three times, Hamish Mackay three times and the Tay's double winners Chris Bonar and Tich Summers.
"I suppose it as much a habit as anything," says Summers of the regular attendance of Bonar's boats, among them the two Scottish Series winning Bateleurs. In 1985 Bonar, Summers and crew won on Bonar's MG RS34, and again in 1997 on the BH36 of the same name, on which they will again campaign in early June. "But it's a habit we choose not to break. It's simple, we like the sailing and enjoy the event." Vouches Summers.
Like others Bonar's boats have brought on generations of new young crew and now just three of the original crew from 27 years ago are still racing and will be back in harness for this year's Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series, the two of them in the dry seats – helm Summers and mainsheet trimmer/owner Bonar - and renowned headsail trimmer John Henshelwood.
"The first time we won was with the MGRS34 and I don't even think we had a string of all firsts, but it was definitely a strong class at the time with the likes of David Blacklaws SJ35 Starry Starry Night, with the designer on board and Jimi the Fink, and we had a good tussle with them, but to be honest one Scottish Series does tend to fade into another!"
Their second win was with the BH36 when it was brand new. They will be racing the same boat which has seen slightly less use over recent years: "It would probably be true to say that we did not necessarily sail our best these years we won, there are perhaps times when we have sailed better but luck did not go our way. When we had the Tripp 40 Bateleur we lost the mast on the last race when we were leading the class, so you really just never know until it's over."
Their particular partnership at the back of Bonar's boats started in the 1960's when Summers sailed Bonar's Osprey dinghy with him, but it was on Nyala, Bonar's Bolero when the established, successful partnership really started.
"To be honest to win our class or overall now we would really need a light winds regatta and if we are mixed into the big boat class then we probably struggle, once the wind is 12kts or above we can sail as well as ever, but it's down to waterline length. But this is Scotland's premier yachting event and there is no way we would miss it."
Follow @ScottishSeries on Twitter or ‘Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series' on Facebook to keep up to date on all activity for 2012 (see Facebook/Twitter tab below).
Further details will be posted regarding the forthcoming Scottish Series at the dedicated website, www.brewindolphinscottishseries.com.