Typhoon SNECCA Cat Opet at Elie & Earlsferry Sailing Club

Twenty Cats turned up for the second SNECCA event of the year, sponsored by Typhoon International. A few cats were undoubtably put off by the daunting weather forecast - rain and gales. Those that turned up were greeted by a warm and friendly club and rain & gales! The majority of the fleet voted with their feet by not rigging their boats. The race officer made the sensible decision after a two hour postponement to abandon racing for the day. Kite flying, drinking and walks on the beach were the order of the day. Whilst the Hurricanes stayed safely tucked up on their trailers, two Hobie 16's took to the water to play in the wind and the waves - in their element!

The morning after a heavy night before greeted competitors with a very gentle force two, and three races were started. The first race saw the Hurricanes march away from the rest of the fleet on the long windward Leeward course. A mix up with the start and finish marks meant that their was a confusion as to which side of the committee boat to go. The moral of the story is for both the competitors and the race committee to read the sailing instructions! Race two and the wind was up to a three gusting four. A cracking start by Dickson & King on their Hobie 16 saw them take an unassailable lead from the remaining Hobies. The sea was stacking up giving great surfing opportunities off the wind. The Hurricane fleet stretched out with the consistent Ramsay & Buchanan, and Bissett & Miles always at or near the top. The race was won by the Hobie 16 of Dickson & King, ahead of a raft of Hurricane 5.9's. The Dart Hawk of Adrian Shields got a little friendly with the leeward mark and needed seperating before the next race, and the 16 of English and Judd managed an upwind pitchpole. Race three and the wind and the sea were up again. Dickson and King retired with a snapped mainsheet, leaving the remaining 16's to romp around the course in their element. The Hurricane of Ramsay & Buchanan was in a different race to their rivals, and refused to wait for them. A skyline job leaving them a full leg ahead of the competition saw them win the race ahead of a Hobie 2,3 & 4.

A hiccup with the results programme meant their was a wait, but for the top three it was worth it to see a result that mirrored the result from South Shields three weeks earlier. Thanks to the efforts of the team at Elie and Earlsferry.

Overall Results: