(Report from Ollie Thompson on Iris)
The Met Office promised wind; the Gareloch delivered. After much deliberation in the carpark, only Catriona and Iris elected to join four Sonars for the evening’s fun.
With team Dione on duty at Blairvadach, Race Officer Barrie Choules elected to set the S6 course to D mark and back. As the gun went, Catriona got the better start at the favoured shore end of the line, with Iris choosing to maintain a little more distance from the lee shore, given the strong wind.
On the beat, both boats sought to cross to the Clynder shore in the hope of finding more sheltered weather, however this was not to be found.
Catriona reached the windward mark first and chose to keep her spinnaker below decks for the return leg. As Iris rounded shortly after, the spinnaker debate was held onboard as an option to potentially try to catch Catriona. Common sense prevailed when the crew used a veto, and the spinnaker bag remained safely in the cabin.
Much to the relief of those aboard Iris, the shortened course was signalled – saving all involved from a second round and allowing both boats to return to the moorings unscathed.
1 Catriona, 2 Iris
