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Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series 2024 Event at Loch Earn Sailing Club
Scheduled for 24-25 August 2024
Numbers 3 and 295 participated in the Sailability Scotland Challenger Traveller Series event at Loch Earn.
The strong winds forecast for Saturday, August 24th, proved to be perfect for racing. A westerly wind brought gusts of up to 30 mph, providing exciting conditions for Challenger sailing while demanding concentration from all participants.
Duncan Greenhalgh (280) took an early lead in the first race, maintaining it until the end. Stephen Laycock (3) expressed his satisfaction with his 3rd place finish, noting that he had traveled farther and faster than anyone else in search of the right buoys. Following a thrilling race, the fleet returned for one of Jean’s well-received lunches.
After lunch, Annie organized the volunteer shore crew to launch the competitors back onto the water for races 2 and 3. In race 2, Val Millward (312) gained a favorable start, capitalizing on Duncan’s misjudgment during a tack, allowing Val to call ‘starboard’. While Duncan completed a 360-degree turn as a penalty, Val surged ahead to win race 2, and she followed it up with another victory in race 3. Stephen Thomas Bate (238) enjoyed the high-speed reaches, securing 3rd place in both races 2 and 3.
It was encouraging to see Poppy Ann (295), Craig Moffett’s Challenger, sailed by Jack Halcrow, competing in the event. Despite not having sailed dinghies for many years, Jack learned valuable lessons from a mistake at the leeward mark when he forgot to lower his centerboard while heading back upwind. However, he was determined to rectify this in Sunday’s races.
Overnight, Val led with 2 wins, closely followed by Duncan, who had secured 1 win.
On Sunday, August 25th, the weather brought challenging conditions with heavy rain, and when the wind picked up, it felt like sailing into a hailstorm. Once again, it was a gusty day! Duncan needed to win race 4 to even the score with Val at 2 wins each.
Racing got off to an unusual start for the Challengers, with a general recall for race 4. Unfortunately for Duncan, he had excelled in the initial start, while Val had not; the roles were reversed in the restart.
Races 4 and 5 turned out to be a ‘Ladies First’ affair, with Val clinching both victories. Jack and Poppy Ann showed improvement in their Challenger racing skills, finishing a commendable 2nd in race 5, while Stephen Thomas garnered another couple of 3rd places.
In summary, Val emerged as the event’s winner, followed by Duncan in 2nd and Stephen Thomas in 3rd place.
Many thanks go to the Race Officer, safety crews, and all the dedicated volunteers from Loch Earn who made this event possible. The Challengers are eager to return next year.
Scotland’s Challenger fleet then departed Loch Earn to participate in the Clyde Corinthian Yacht Club “Round Shuna Race Weekend,” beginning with a Saturday feeder race from Ardfern to Craobh Haven, followed by the Round Shuna Pursuit Race for yachts, keelboats, and dinghies on Sunday!
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 312 | Val Millward | Rutland Sailing Club | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | 280 | Duncan Greenhalgh | Bassenthwaite Sailing Club | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | (DNC) | 7 |
| 3rd | 238 | Stephen Thomas Bate | Annandale SC | (DNC) | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| 4th | 295 | Jack Halcrow | Loch Earn Sailing Club | ‑4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 14 |
| 5th | 3 | Stephen Laycock | Sailability Scotland | 3 | ‑5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 17 |
Source
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
