Scottish Series Day 1

Day one of Scottish Series may have started with blue skies, but it was a course of two halves, with the best of the wind in the Tunnock’s sponsored north course, with David Denholm as PRO and Eilidh Miller as ARO.

All three races were completed with the fleet back to shore for 5.00pm. However, for those sailing the CGL Gutters sponsored southerly course it was a different story with light winds making for challenging conditions for the PRO David Kent.

It was a difficult day on the water for the Class 1 IRC fleet. With light and sticky conditions, it was hard to read the course. It is currently led by Gamechanger, the Beneteau 40.7 sailed by Shaun Douglas who posted a second, a first and a second, giving him five points. He is closely followed by Jonathan Anderson in El Grand Senor with a third, a second and a first, but only one point ahead of Spirit of Jacana sailed by Bruce Douglas who posted a first, a third and a third. We’re really looking forward to seeing how this class develops over the weekend.

Class 2 IRC (RC35) and Storm from Ireland, sailed by Pat Kelly and previous Scottish Series winner, opened his account by posting two firsts and a fifth, giving him seven points. He’s lying one point ahead of Charlie Frize’s Corby 33, Banshee with a second, a fifth and a first ending with eight points. In third is another Corby 33, Jacob sailed by John Stamp with a third, sixth and a second – ending on 11 points. This is the biggest class in Scottish Series and there’s plenty of time for changes as there’s a broad breadth of talent within this class.

Class 3 IRC J109 Something Else sailed by Brian Hall from Ireland posted three firsts, showing the way to the rest of the fleet, ahead of Phoenix sailed by Stephen Black posting a second, third and second. In third was Nick Spurr from Amble in Harriette Express who posted a four, a 4.5 and a three giving him 11.5. This could be a tight class with some great sailing.

Class 4 CYCA was dominated today by Euan Morrison sailing his 40.7 Sapphire with three straight firsts, giving him thee points. He is followed by the Dehlar Diatas Air sailed by Ewan Mackay with a fifth, a third and a third giving him 11 points, just one point ahead of the J92 Jammin sailed by Ally Paton who posted an eighth, second and second giving them 12 points. On equal points J92 Satisfaction sailed by Nick Marshall was consistent picking three fourth places. There’s still all to play for in this class and we look forward to seeing how this develops.

Class 5 CYCA saw Arcade sailed by Finlay Aitken follow his success from Kip posting three firsts. In second was James Jamieson, equally consistent with three seconds sailing Clancy. In third is Nicola Chalmers posting a sixth, a third and a third in her Mustang 30 Clancy. We’re going to call it early but it’s going to be a tough call getting ahead of Fin Aitken, based on his performance at Kip.

The RS21 class promises to be a growing class in years to come. At the end of some very close racing the day belonged to Dark and Stormy sailed by Liam Willis of Lymington Town Sailing Club, who took home a second, first and first, finishing day one on four points. He was followed by Duncan Hepplewhite from Loch Lomond Sailing Club and Scottish Series crane sponsor in Sailingfast, just one point ahead of Calum Bell sailing A-Plan.

Great class racing in the Sigma class with Griogair Whyte piling on the pressure on Paul Prentice, but both boats sitting on seven points after three races. They are closely followed by Mayrise and James Miller, from Rhu on nine points. These three will be stuck together round the course for the rest of the week, and it’ll be a difficult one to call. We’re looking forward to watching this one on the water on Sunday with the forecast of heavier wind.

In the Etchells 22 class, Hero sailed by Geoff Howson, veteran Scottish Series campaigner and winner of multiple classes, was the hero of the day with fifth, a first and a first. Geoff held off a spirited attack from Jake Miller and the Extravaganza crew who were very consistent with third, a third and a fourth to finish on ten points. These are closely followed by Royal Gourock Yacht Club’s Locked and Loaded in third place on 13 points and Mayhem in fourth on 14 points. It was very close racing in the Etchell fleet today and know they’re already looking forward to tomorrow’s big winds!

The best of the breeze was to be found in the 707 class and this promises to be one of the closest contested classes. James Urquhart’s consistency paid off, finishing the day at the top of the table with six points. James from Rhu and sailing CRhu took a third, second and first, ahead of the 707 veteran and previous class winner Dara O’Malley, who finished the day in second place with a second, an eighth and a second to finish on 12 points. Dara, the Port Edgar man, was closely followed by Griogair Macfarlane in TATA who currently sits in third, having scored a first, a fourth and an eighth.

The Restricted Sail Class CYCA had one race today on a passage race from Largs to Tarbert. This direct course was mostly sailed off the wind and was won by Clyde Cruising Club’s Ken Andrew in Argento, less than half a minute ahead of super-veteran Ian Nicholson sailing St Bridget followed by Fiona Brown in the Swan 38 Monolulu.

In Class 10 the Two Handed Class CYCA, it was a win for Clyde Cruising Club’s Clive Reeves in Lyrebird who was just under five minutes ahead of Micky Finn sailed by Mike Forbes, with Alastair Torbet in Spirit of May just 41 seconds behind to lie in third.

This year’s Scottish Series runs from 26 – 29 May 2023. For full results visit www.halsail.com/Result/Public/72211?EventID=4198