Race report by Carol Rowe.
Strong wind after disappointing weather on Tuesday. The first leg, a very long beat north west to E, near the Peaton Road began with a starting line where the shore end was the forward place to be. Catriona and Iris were there and quickly tacked out into the loch. Most of the rest of the fleet followed but sticking to the Shandon side of the loch was the place to be as was proved in the second round.
Other contenders crossed in front of each other, depending on the wind in the part of the Gareloch where they had sailed. At the E mark Catriona, Zephyrus and Teal were out in front and away, Iris was just ahead of Hermes who had profited by sticking to the Shandon side. Thus the order remained at the front.
What should have been a spinnaker run to Shandon changed as the wind veered to the north and then there was a spinnaker run to the ‘not’ finishing line as there was time for a second round.
Lessons in the first round were lost on some and learnt by others. The tide was due to ebb which had a bearing on the decision of some if not others. The leading boats all chose to cross the loch and were followed by others – misfortune struck and substantial changes appeared in the order.
Thia from the rear appeared having followed the Shandon side and tacked across to the D mark just north of Clynder in second place. From there places changed not.
1 Catriona, 2 Thia, 3 Teal, 4 Zephyrus, 5 Iris, 6 Ceres, 7 Hermes, 8 Thalia.
President: