Musto Skiffs at the Scottish Skiff series - Round 1
by Jon Shelley 16 May 2014 17:47 BST
10-11 May 2014
Round 1 of the Scottish Skiff series kicked off last weekend in stunning Oban surrounded by a number of super yachts who had clearly heard that 10 skiffs were in town and had turned up for the spectacle and the party.
The forecast was for light and variable winds so it was likely to be a snakes and ladders type weekend (for most). However, John Reekie casually turned up last, rigged up in a relaxed manner and then promptly went out and bulleted in every race!!
The first race was a Scottish 'round the island' race around Kerrera. The fleet started heading south with kites up and local 49er sailors Johnson and Marshall and, in Mustos, Ian Renilson and Jono Shelley, quickly hitting the front soon to be overhauled by Ian Morton and Ben Yeats from Chanonry who did a much better job on the tides! There was a reshuffle of the pack in light winds at the south end of the island with Morton and Andy Hooton coming out best, however Reekie, who had headed offshore in search of more breeze, found it, and stole victory from the 49er and Morton. Saturday concluded with a short windward leeward race in light and fading breeze with Reekie, Rennilson and Mark Goalen 1,2,3.
Sunday dawned with a variable northerly wind and the fleet raced just off the picturesque Ganavan beach. Race officer Eric Chapman and his team of volunteers (thank you!) did a great job of putting on 3 tight races.
In race 1 cheating the tide inshore seemed to pay with Reekie, Hooton and Goalen emerging from the right rounding in front of Rennilson and Shelley. In race 2 Shelley managed to take advantage of a port hand shift to get off the line on port and cross the fleet. Reekie however soon hit the front showing incredible boat speed once again. Shelley finished 2nd and Rennilson took 3rd.
Race 3 took place on a relaid course and in a bit more wind with some managing to 'stretch their legs' fully on the wire. Again Reekie rounded first followed by Shelley and Rennilson. Shelley took a bath on the last run allowing Rennilson and Morton to take 2 and 3 behind the unstoppable Reekie.
The great hosts of Oban Yacht Club put on a great spread on both days and a BBQ in the summer sunshine on the Saturday night. The Skiffs will be back....and watch out 'the south' Reekie is firmly back on form!
Top 5 Results
1st John Reekie 4pts
2nd Ian Rennilson 9pts
3rd Jono Shelley 15pts
4th Ian Morton 17pts
5th Andy Hooton 17pts