Sunday 13th September

It was a lovely afternoon, sunshine and good wind.  We sailed a long course and there was time for a second round.  A touch of changeability in the Gareloch wind kept up the interest.

Teal started well at the favoured pin end of the line for the beat to B, off Silvers.  A tardy Catriona tacked immediately at the starting mark and found good air, which encouraged her to think she might be able to tack back onto starboard and get ahead of the port tack Teal.  As it was, Teal crossed ahead with no trouble but then failed to cover.  Catriona was first (just) to the windward mark.  Thalia was on a charge but, near to the mark, was forced to tack by Halcyone (sailed single handed) which gave Hermes a clear approach.

The next beat from the Shandon shore to Clynder was characterised by changes of place at the front and failure to cover.  Catriona made it first to the mark and pulled away on the fine spinnaker reach back to the starting area.

Next another beat to B and again, there was failure to cover.  Backing of the wind meant that Catriona was able to lay the mark negate Teal’s advantage, who had worked herself substantially to windward.

On the run up the Clynder shore to C, Halcyone was finally relegated to last for want of a spinnaker.  Hermes was well placed in third.

Catriona led on what was now a fetch to the finish but Teal pointed higher.  Near the shore battery, a large header forced Catriona to tack and Teal crossed ahead with elan.

1 Teal, 2 Catriona, 3 Hermes, 4 Thalia, 5 Ceres, 6 Halcyone.