(Report from guest crew aboard Arke).
Strong gusts from the northwest, accompanied by short lulls, was constant throughout the race with minor impact from the incoming tide.
On the water race officer Charles Darley set a course across the loch to D before reaching back to G. Circe made a great start followed by Catriona and Dione. The leading boats headed to the Clynder shore where good progress was made. Iris, Ceres and Arke selected to beat mid channel to potentially benefit from the incoming tide. Progress close to the Clynder shore proved the more efficient course.
The reach from D to G progressed well for all boats with Circe and Catriona flying the spinnaker. Entering the 2nd round: Circe, Dione, Catriona, Iris, Ceres, Arke.
Arke set a tight exit from D which paid off by beating efficiently to D ahead of Ceres and Iris. Reaching back to finish saw Circe crossing the finish line first. Good competition between Dione and Catriona, with the latter flying the spinnaker to good effect. Catriona finishing second – with the third sail and a smart course to the closer shore end of the line providing the differentiator. Arke, Ceres then Iris. Great to see Iris sailing well.
The blustery conditions enabled a thoroughly entertaining race. All cobwebs blown away!!
1 Circe, 2 Catriona, 3 Dione, 4 Arke, 5 Ceres, 6 Iris
