HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at St Andrews Sailing Club

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at St Andrews © Tony Dumbreck

After the heat of the previous week it was a relief to travel to the East coast town of St Andrew's for our latest travellers event.

We were greeted by a light onshore wind and a very pleasant temperature. As the day progressed the clouds cleared and the wind increased but never to more than F3. With some decent waves sailing conditions were excellent. Despite starting in the middle of a spring flood tide there is only a tiny amount of current in the corner of the bay.

Once the course was set we enjoyed triangle/sausage courses with the start finish line in the middle of the course. With plenty of seaweed plus numerous lobster pots around the course we all had to concentrate. Most of us had to clear weed off the rudder at some point.

As always the racing was tight but there was a clear winner in Tony King who won every race. Upwind he looked very fast and once in front he always looked in control.

In race 1 Willie Todd was always in contention and took a fine second just in front of the always consistent Kevin Gibb. Your scribe managed to get jammed under the boom whilst tacking and get in irons, not recommended!

There was a little more wind for race 2 as the temperature rose. Competition was just as tight throughout the fleet but Tony King was in front again. Kevan Gibb followed him across the line and this time it was David Sword who was third.

In race 3 Charlie Bracknell had an excellent start in the middle of the line but it was Kevan Gibb who got to the first mark in the lead but hit the mark. Whilst exonerating himself he managed a spectacular windward wipeout in front of the fleet. As he said afterwards he did it in style!

David Sword took over the lead and kept in front of Tony until he overstood the start/finish line and dropped to second. Ross Watson was third for most of the race but could not shake off Willie Todd who judged the finish better and just took the place.

After three excellent races in the sun and great sea sailing we headed ashore which was a little exciting. It was now high water and with a steeply shelving beach conditions were a bit bouncy as we struggled to get boats on to trolleys. It took six people to get each rescue boat onto its trolley and dragged onto the beach.

It is times like this that sailors really appreciate how much effort clubs like St Andrew's and their volunteers put in to host us. Thank you!

Overall the event was won by Tony King with David Sword second and Willie Todd third but wherever we finished everyone had a good time.

Overall Results: