(A belated but gratefully received report from Ollie Thompson!)
After an inevitable debate in the carpark, 5 Garelochs hoisted sails and dutifully drifted down to Blairvadach hoping for an increase in the wind. With Catriona, Iris and Circe all sailing single-handed, it fell to Athene to set course L6 and get the fleet underway when wind filled in shortly after 1500.
Athene and Zephyrus both started in middle of the line whilst Iris and Catriona went for favoured stbd end. Circe, meanwhile got trapped above the layline by Catriona and had to loop round for a late start in the first drama of the race. Progress across to the B mark was somewhat challenging: Catriona and Iris made the best of their start, with the rest of the fleet forced into an extra tack by the fast ebbing tide.
Catriona rounded closely followed by Iris, who’s helmsmen was unused to being so close to the front and promptly hit the mark whilst checking the course sheet. The penalty allowed Catriona to pull ahead, and Circe to close the gap and setup a close race down to the G mark. Circe’s choice not to use a spinnaker ultimately meant the positions were unchanged starting the second upwind leg to C.
The outgoing tide, now at peak flow, once again made judging the laylines very difficult; this time it was Catriona’s turn to make contact with the mark and take a penalty. Despite mounting a valiant effort, neither Iris nor Circe were able to catch Catriona as she returned to Blairvadach and started the second lap.
As quickly as it had earlier arrived, the wind disappeared and the entire fleet found themselves drifting towards the Rhu Narrows faster than any progress upwind to B. Results declared on the first (and only) completed round.
1 Catriona, 2 Iris, 3 Circe, 4 Athene, 5 Zephyrus
