StMLSC windsurfing regatta 2000

Sponsored by Boardwise of Edinburgh

^{I didn't write this so please dont contact me about any mistakes!}

Sat 9th

Woke to a steady wind blowing from the south which was later to turn more south-westerly, on inspection we decided to sail in the middle part of the loch were a steady force 4 - 5 wind was blowing, enough for the good boys to reach for their formula boards.

The 1st race was set as a beat & three reaches, but as the leaders reached the 3rd mark it was not to be found. It had been hijacked by two fishermen and was being used as an anchor. The race was restarted and Tim set a cracking on his formula board chased by Tom. While down the fleet a small potter from Kipford was putting in a very good performance to come in 8th beating the wife in the process.

The 2nd race got off to a cracking start but half a minute to soon. The restart was uneventful until a domestic occurred on the start line, Helen V Mike Gillingford.

The next race went to Alan as the wind was dying off and Tim was heading for the club house Roger continued to impress but Christine impressed more by taking 4th.

The days sailing was concluded with a sociable meal followed by entertainment in the form of a singsong with guitars played by Alister McGill, Helen & Mike Gillingford who had kissed and made up, and Oscar Smith.

Sun

Woke to see the hills reflected in the loch and the smell of bacon drifting from the clubhouse. By the time racing was to start there was enough of a northerly breeze to pump round a course set at the club end. The front markers made it back with out to much effort but some back marker had to be moped up by the rescue boat as the breeze dropped to nought. Lunch was taken at this point with the hope that the wind would pick up again.

After lunch the breeze did pick up again and a triangle course of two laps was run for the last two races. All three races were won by Alan with Mr consistency Tom Drydon in 2nd.

The highlights of the weekend were the improved performance of Roger Smith & the sight of seven St Mary's sailors on the water.

Thanks to every body who helped to make the weekend be a very enjoyable and sociable event.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 19th August

St Mary's Loch was hosting the Scottish Team Racing Championships, with training on Saturday and the actual event on Sunday.

The training was run in light to no wind all day, but despite this there was a lot of exciting racing which turned out to be a very steep learning curve for many of the St Mary's boats that had never team raced before. Tynemouth SC sent up a team of 3 boats but apart from them and St Mary's no other clubs had enough boats to make up a team.

On Sunday the boats where split up into 3 teams of 3 boats, 1 team from Tynemouth and the other two from St Mary's. The wind started out similar to Saturday with very light winds for the 1st race - Tynemouth (helms - Lawrence Young, Pete Middlemiss & Neil Piper) against one St Mary's Team (helms - Charles Morrish, Caragh Morrish & Pete Birrell). Despite St Mary's best efforts, in the very light winds Tynemouth managed to get all three boats ahead and therefore managed a clear victory. Luckily for the competitors in the next race the wind increased considerably from a different direction so after a course change the next race started. The teams competing Tynemouth and the other St Mary's team - (helms - Graeme Henry, Chris Morrish & Ross McKerchar) a very young team as all crews were also under 18 making Graeme the only adult in the team!

With ideal winds the race got of to an exciting start with tacking duels starting of all over the place. Up at one mark the 2nd time round, a hole caused by March Wood made for some less than ideal fluky conditions. The St Mary's Team's experience in these horrible conditions showed, with Graeme managing to keep Tynemouth occupied enough to let Chris and Ross slip a bit ahead. Allowing an almost certain victory as long as they could hold there lead, with Graeme managing to stay ahead off all but one boat St Mary's managed a clear victory with a 1^st, ^2nd & ^4th.

After this promising start the weather took a horrible turn for the worse - whilst having lunch a storm came over bring very heavy hail and took the wind away, this went on for a good hour, and then, after it passed over it came back over from the other direction again! With still no wind and no sign of any blowing up Katie Masterson, the race officer was forced to abandon resulting in a non-event as not all teams had raced each other.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 12th August

With many people away on holiday’s this weekend was the quietist of the season so far at the loch.

A few boats went out Saturday to enjoy the promising wind and consequently has some enjoyable sailing with some really nice gusts giving everyone plenty of opportunity for a play.

Unfortunately the wind died completely for Sunday leaving only a slight breeze every now and then, which often died away to nothing. This coupled with rain made for pretty pathetic sailing conditions and only 3 boats ventured out. On the very short course, Ross McKerchar & Martin Fox managed to leave the fleet behind, finishing a leg behind Dave & Shona Redpath who then finished a leg infront of Maggie Ellis & Sue Moore. Maggie & Sue then decided they didn’t want to go out again for another race and therefore there weren’t enough boats for a 2nd race – not that anyone seemed to mind with the loch looking like a mirror.

Roundup for weekend starting 5th August

A nice wind made for good racing potential Sunday morning, unfortunately it (surprisingly) had changed for the worse in time for the 1st race. So the racing turned out to involve a bit of pot luck due to the fluky and unpredictable winds. Once the fleet managed to get a bit up the loch the wind improved, unfortunately everyone had to go back down the loch into the rubbish again. Despite this Graeme & Katie still managed to end up miles infront, with the only competition Charles & Ross who soon got left behind in a hole. This resulted in a the main battle being for 3rd, with the help of a capsize from Tom & Amy, Dave & Shona managed to get 3rd followed by Pete & Martin.

Due to the lure of Katie & Graeme's RS's and Charles having a broken boat, 3 less boats went out in the 2nd race, leaving 6 boats. The wind unfortunately got even worse by the start of this race. This race involved a bit more close racing within the small fleet. An early capsize from Annie & Sandy didn't slow them down a lot in this race as emptying the boat was made easy because of all of the gusts on the long downwind leg. The fleet was still close at the leeward mark, lead by Pete & Martin. The beat proved difficult due to the big gusts and massive shifts. A wrong decision at the start of the beat let Tom & Amy take the lead and by "B" mark Pete had caught back up from a massive lift up the shore. The close reach managed to have the flukiest wind of the race meaning a lot of place changes during all of 200 metres. The places A lot of place changing took place after the start of the long downwind leg. The deciding part of the race was the last beat. As usual. Tom lead the fleet up to the finish followed by Annie & Sandy and Pete and Martin's cunning plan didn't work the 2nd time, putting them in 4th, but they gained 1 more place from Ian & his crew at the last mark.

Pete's 4th & 3rd were enough to secure the summer series for him, as next weekend is the start of the autumn series.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 29 July

The club funday was looking to be a bit empty with nobody around for the scheduled 1pm start, luckily the numbers gradually grew, and by 2pm about thirty kids had arrived so the funday went ahead as scheduled, if a little bit late. All activities where a success although the all seemed to just turn into a water fight at the end, with all objectives being lost resulting in many very wet but happy Kids & Adults alike.

On Sunday normal racing was forfeited due to the Knock-out cup, an annual club trophy, with a match racing format - a mini-series of 2 boat short one lap races.

An earlier than usual start of 11am was necessary to fit all the races in, as there were 15 boats, Ian Henry, the race officer split the fleet into two groups, and the every boat raced all the others in it's group, the 2 winners from the heats went on to race each other in the final.

The wind strength and direction was variably all day resulting in some races being very light wind drifters, right up to the final having a fair bit of hiking necessary.

From the two heats, Chris Morrish & Gavin Reid won all their races to get through to the final, along with Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar doing the same in their heat. Chris & Gavin helped Charles & Ross get the better start by being OCS and having to go back to start correctly although the light winds at the start meant Chris & Gavin only lost a few boatlengths on Charles & Ross due to the start. For the next 3 laps, the wind steadily rose to a nice 3 at the end, providing very enjoyable conditions for the racers and spectators onshore. Charles & Ross gradually pulled away from Chris & Gavin and managed to hold the lead till the end to take the cup.

Roundup for weekend starting 22^nd July

Saturday dawned with plenty sun and a bit of wind. Bob had brought his Laser 4000 down to give anyone who wanted a shot, consequently, with the overwhelming number of volunteers, he had to start early to fit everyone in. He started sailing at 11am and didn't get of the water till past 6pm, but had succeeded in putting grins on everyone's faces for the rest of the weekend. A few other boats also ventured out to take advantage of the lovely weather.

Sunday started of a bit duller Saturday, but luckily by lunchtime the low cloud had all burned away leaving a sunny sky and a northerly that sometimes made it past March Wood but more often than not left a big hole down by the clubhouse. Despite this some very good racing was enjoyed by the Enterprises in both races, even with a slightly diminished fleet of only 9 boats due to Tynemouth Regatta. The 1^st race started with a unusual easterly, with the odd northerly gust making it past March Wood. Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar made it round M first and played the shifts well up the 2^nd leg to end up a good 20 boatlengths ahead at the next mark. Once the fleet got up the loch a bit there was some very fun racing all through the fleet with perfect conditions and a nice course giving a good beat, reach and run. Charles and Ross further increased there lead leaving the next battle for 2^nd place, all through the race 3 boats could've had it but Scott & Fiona Fotheringham pulled a head to take 2^nd with Pete Birrell & Carolyn McKerchar getting a 3^rd.

Again the hole remained at the club end of the loch for the 2^nd start, but again once the fleet got past Mach Wood things looked up and there was some more excellent racing. Charles & Ross managed to pull away on the beat again, but not far enough to be able to relax as the rest of the fleet stuck not too far behind. Charles & Ross again stayed ahead leaving the main battle to be for 2^nd place with 4 boats contesting for it. Scott & Fiona managed to just keep ahead, partly due to Pete & Carolyn having to work hard to keep the existing 3^rd from being taken by Tom Lockie & Jamie McSeveney, Chris Morrish & Gavin Reid also kept the heat by being right on Tom & Jamie's transom for the last lap. Again every boat held their place resulting in the 1^st five boats getting the same results as the previous race.

Roundup for The Sailing Camp

Monday morning weather produced mixed reactions among the participants and helpers at the sailing camp, which depending on your point of view was either "cold wet and miserable" or an "amazing wind for playing in". Unfortunately as the week was primarily for tuition, the nice F5 wasn’t ideal especially for the less competent groups, so sailing for the day was cancelled. Of course this provided a good chance for some of the more adventurous of us to go out have some fun, this coupled with the wind backing off slightly and letting some of the advanced group take out some toppers meant the day was far from a complete loss.

Tuesday dawned with very similar weather, but luckily it had improved vastly for the groups by the afternoon, with a timely drop in the wind accompanied by a bit of sun. This allowed the instructors to get everyone out on the water for a bit of teaching and racing. There were also onshore activities such as a treasure hunt and a small rope ascent and abseil set up in a handy tree.

Wednesday saw a return of Mondays wind, but with slightly better weather to complement it. The Mirror Group managed to find a nice sheltered area where the wind did not seem to reach and had some good team racing whilst Chris & Ross (stupidly?) took out Chris’ Ent for a play and a bit of gybing practice. With some ridiculously strong gusts (apparently the anemometer recorded a short Force 7 gust), the gibing failed miserably, but the scary reaches more than made u for it. Again the wind abated more in the afternoon allowing a few more groups out and the mirrors to continue the mini team racing event.

Of course the normal Wednesday Ent racing was still on for those who weren’t quite tired enough after the days work, and we had a very good turnout with about 12 boats c setting off. Chris & Martin lead for most of the way round till there outhall broke allowing Graeme & Karen to slip by to get first place. Chris & Martin held 2nd though, despite Tom & Jamie’s best efforts to catch them.

Thursday’s weather was a lot more palatable, with a fair bit of sun, and not too much wind allowing plenty of tuition and lots of fun onshore activities such as getting ready for the hippy party Friday.

I left on Friday, so I’m afraid I’m not quite sure what happened but I heard the party was fun, and everyone enjoyed there last day of the camp.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 1st of July

A very long and enjoyable week celebrating the clubs 40th anniversary started Friday night at 8pm, being based on the famous 24hr Southport race, the idea was to make it a team event, with 4 or more to crew per boat (not all at the same time though!). The 1st couple of laps went around quite quickly, with Charles Morrish & Keith Renz taking the lead, making Ross McKerchar & Dale Birrell’s job easier when they took over. With the unfortunate death of the wind the next laps turned into a bit of an endurance feat with all the crew that were stuck out trying to liven things up with all sorts of strange antics... Amid protestations from other competitors, Chris, the race officer decided to allow Ross & Dale’s laps to count because, contrary to popular belief, they weren’t pumping. This allowed Charles, Keith, Ross & Dale to win the coveted 3hr St Mary’s drift champions title. Although Matt & Liz deserved it more for sitting up at C in absolutely no wind for what seemed to be the entire race!

Saturday’s unreasonably early start (11am!) was necessary to give the entire fleet time to complete the second objective of the weekend - a picnic at the other end of the loch. There was yet again no wind, but plenty of sunshine to make up for it. Thirty-six boats ranging from Optimist’s to Drascombe’s set out on the "boil in the boat™" drift. With a bit of helpful paddling everyone made it and after a rather chaotic attempt to moor all the boats that couldn’t beach we all sat down to eat our lunch - to the utter confusion of some innocent bystanders out to enjoy a quiet day in the country.

The way back saw even lighter winds, and the rescue boat was changed into a tug to get all boats back before sunset. After a cooling off drink, the boats that could be bothered went out for a pursuit race - a staggered start so the finish results were obvious. The Mirrors set off first and after what seemed like an impossibly long time the GP14 then Ents then Lasers set off within 5mins of each other. Amazingly the leading Ents and Lasers managed to catch a few Mirrors, with Matt & Liz hope flying away to take an easy 1st in their Enterprise, 2nd and 3rd were also taken by Enterprises leaving all other classes convinced they had a duff handicap!

After the water activities finished the barbeque was lit with accompaniment by our squeeze-box-man, followed by a Celidh and bonfire to celebrate 40 years of sailing at St Mary’s Loch.

A few far too enthusiastic boats went out for the novice race at such an early time that I’m afraid I wasn’t awake to comment on it. At a more respectable (but still early) 2 o’clock the Enterprise summer series continued. 11 boats set out in the very promising conditions - a strong but nice Northerly set the scene for some good racing. The fleet embarked on a huge long beat all the way up to I mark, with Dave & Shona Redpath coming out on tops, followed very closely by Ross McKerchar & David Milroy. Unfortunately, halfway down the leeward legs the wind did a very unexpected but thorough job of disappearing. Just to really confuse things it often reappeared at random points along the course, with surprising ferocity and direction all in all making the race a very typical for St Mary’s. Ross & David managed to slip ahead of the rest of the fleet after the very confused and strange mark rounding at K to take 1st. Dave & Joan and Dave & Shona also came out well. Luckily for Dave & Shona Dave and Joan kindly hit the finishing mark and consequently gave away 2nd.

By the 2nd race things had not improved with the nasty wind staying to keep everyone on there toes. Ross & David managed to get ahead early despite a vicous header almost causing a swim to leeward saved only by a bit of luck and fast moving. They stayed ahead till M mark where the were forced to sit and watch as boats sailed straight by them left and right while they sat becalmed. Dave & Shona came out well and flew away till there were a good 20 boatlengths ahead. Neil Wood & Graeme Reid followed with Ross & David, Dave & Joan and Annie & Jo close behind in that order. Neil & Graeme and Ross & David managed to close the gap between them and Dave & Shona. During the next leg, the very confused winds allowed the whole fleet to pile up again. Dave & Shona and Ross & David managed to create a marginal gap between them and the rest of the fleet. Dave & Shona got ahead to get a clear rounding of M with Ross & David right on there transom. 8m from the finish, a subtle but definite 180° wind shift spotted by Ross & David allowed them to gybe and get just enough speed to rob Dave & Shona of their victory.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 24th June

A very busy and eventful weekend started with the Enterprise training day, run by Jonathan Woodward. The very early start on Saturday (10am!) turned out to be worth it, with lots of skills and techniques learnt and practised by everyone in some tricky winds. The afternoon saw a big improvement as everyone seemed to have woken up by then and the fleet demonstrated some very smooth tacking on the whistle; follow my leader and other skills. Many thanks to Jonathan, his crew, Julie Moore, Graeme and Katie for all the help they gave us.

Sailing on Sunday started slightly later than it did on Saturday, but still earlier than usual - at 11am because St Mary’s was hosting the Ladies and Juniors Scottish Enterprise Championships again. But despite a very impressive effort by the fleet to be on the water for the start, it turned out to be a waste of time because Ian Malcolm, the race officer was forced to postpone due to there being not a drop of wind. With a sigh of relief the fleet headed ashore for an early lunch courtesy of the catering staff.

A promising breeze blew up, causing Ian to execute a hasty start to try and get the race started, at least, in wind. Unfortunately luck was not on our side, and the wind died again, but still left enough to race in. Katie Masterson & Graeme Katie got the best start, followed closely by Ross McKerchar & Dale Birrell. Ross & Dale went well up the 1^st beat and managed to arrive a good margin ahead at the windward mark, Katie & Graeme made it round 2^nd with Chris & Martin coming in 3^rd. As the wind died, the fleet piled into each other - Chris & Martin caught right up with Graeme & Katie and Ross & Dale’s comfortable margin had narrowed to a more stressful (for them) distance. With a shorten course flag going up, Ross & Dale only had to hold the lead for a couple of legs. Luckily Katie & Graeme and Chris & Martin helped them by having a tussle amongst themselves letting Ross & Dale win the 1^st race. 2^nd place was contested for a lot more vigorously with Chris & Martin very close to Katie & Graeme up the last mini-beat to the finish. Katie & Graeme just managed to keep ahead to get 2^nd - but with the Katie being a lady and Ross and Chris being Juniors, Katie got a comfortable 1^st and Chris a 2^nd.

The 2^nd race started sharply after the 1^st with Ian trying to take advantage of the filling in wind. Unfortunately it disappeared again just before the start. Yet again Katie & Graeme proved the benefit of experience by being first over the line, followed closely by Maggie Ellis & (her crew), with Ross & Dale slightly down wind of, but parallel to them. With Maggie & (I've forgotten!) and Katie & Graeme mucking each other up, Ross & Dale managed to gain the upper hand and pull ahead of the two only to see that the boats at the leeward end of the line storming away from the rest of the fleet with there own private wind. Ross & Dale and Katie & Graeme managed to recover and sailed through the fleet to arrive 1^st and 2^nd at the windward mark respectively. With an unexpected shorten course to finish at the wing mark Ross & Dale managed to find the wind and pull ahead of the fleet to finish leaving Katie & Graeme to worry about the rest of the fleet getting uncomfortably close. Unluckily for them Annie McSeveney & Anna Renz managed to slip ahead of them for a 1^st in the ladies. Leaving it resting on the last race, whereas Ross & Dale with two 1^st’s managed to secure the juniors.

The 3^rd race was run by most of the boats, the rest couldn't?t face drifting for another hour or two. Yet again Katie & Graeme got the best start with the rest of the fleet a fair bit back. Chris & Martin where a good second until, yet again, the boats at the leeward end found some secret wind and flew ahead, Annie & Anna were the only boat that managed to stay ahead of the boats that had started at the windward end of the line and emerged a fair bit ahead at the windward mark leaving Katie & Graeme, now looking a bit worried as they could see the ladies trophy slipping from there grasp. Annie & Anna misread the next leg, and an unnecessary gybe allowed Katie & Graeme, Chris & Martin and Ross & Dale to slip by, in that order. With the wind dying Ross & Dale and Chris & Martin managed to catch right up to Katie & Graeme. Chris & Martin tried to get by to windward of Katie & Graeme and almost succeeded but the mark came to early - Ross & Dale sat on Katie?s transom for the whole leg and took advantage of Chris & Martin slowing Katie & Graeme down. The managed to get a nice overlap just for the mark, letting them receive water of the other two boats and therefore emerging ahead with a clear margin on the new leg. With clear air and no stress, Ross & Dale managed to sail away leaving the other two standing and arrived at the finishing line 30 boatlengths ahead, with Chris & Martin more than the same again ahead of Katie and Graeme. Of course with the Juniors event decided Katie & Graeme were concentrating on the Ladies and did enough to stay ahead of Annie & Anna to win.

Many thanks to Ian and his helpers for doing an excellent job as race officer in the difficult conditions, Jeremy for the loan of his boat to use as a committee boat, Chris for Rescue and of course Pete, Carolyn and everyone who helped in the kitchen.

Roundup for Weekend Starting 17th June

Saturday morning dawned with less than predicted sun, but plenty of wind to make up for it, a freshening 4 blew up, rapidly turning into a 5 gusting 6. 4 Toppers, and a couple of Lasers went out for a play except with the wind getting up a couple of boats were needing rescued and with one rescue boat's engine conking out whilst it was trying to rescue someone else, Pete Birrell had his work cut out to get everyone sorted. Despite that, the boats that stayed out had some really good planes, and Ross McKerchar proved that you can make a Topper beat in a 6, it just calls for some very strange techniques!

Sunday couldn't have been much better, a very warm sunny day with a nice fresh Southerly 3 - 4 blowing making for some perfect sailing conditions - it even felt warm out on the water! Despite the gorgeous weather the Scottish Area Champs at Berwick meant only 6 Ents were out. A nice start from Ross McKerchar & Dale Birrell helped them take the lead, followed by Norm and Maggie Ellis with the rest of the fleet close behind, Ross and Dale managed to put a comfortable margin between them and the rest of the fleet leaving the remaining boats to fight it out for 2nd, and I'm afraid I cant remember who got it!

The 2nd race started similar to the first, expect for Graeme Reid & Anna Renz having to go back because they were OCS at the start. Ross & Dale again managed to pull ahead until halfway up the first beat they stupidly sailed straight into a hole, allowing Pete Birrell & Carolyn McKerchar to get within 3 boat lengths of there transom (or maybe it was Pete's cunning paint job confusing the them). Ross & Dale managed to keep them behind, again pulling away slowly, but Pete & Carolyn were still within fighting distance until just before B mark were Ross & Dale got it right to make up for the previous lap and consequently finished comfortably infront of Pete & Carolyn, who themselves were a clear margin ahead of the rest of the fleet.

The Mirror racing was a bit of a non-starter, with the whole of the fleet sailing the wrong course in the first race, then deciding not to go out for a second race!

And finally, I lost my wallet, so if any one who was there finds a Medium-sized Brown Leather Wallet somehow mixed up in the kit or anything then tell me.

Weekend Starting 10th of June

Again, Martin Fox wrote this roundup, so moan at him (if necessary)

A somewhat confused day today saw a lot of the travellers returning from North Berwick to sail at St. Mary's, after the the racing in North Berwick being cancelled due to the high wind. This all lead to a few boats being rigged in record times to make the start. The wind turned out to be fairly good (i.e. not all over the place!), making it worthwhile rushing back from the travellers event. Chris Morrish and Martin Fox had a false start, and being too lazy to go back, carried on, apparently unaware! They held their lead, with some fast downwind sailing, and struggled up the beat still leading, closely followed by the rest of the fleet. Another lap passed almost the same, with positions looking good, with Iain Malcolm and Scott Willoughby moving into second place after the fairly windy beat. The next run managed to change the positions at the front, with a huge gust flattening Chris and Martin. The wind stopped after the short squall, so they did not carry on with the race, not that it mattered as they were disqualified for the start anyway.

The second race saw a small fleet with a lot of the boats dropping out for various reasons. Charles and Alison Morrish managed to win the race, and stayed dry in the slightly increased wind.

Weekend Starting 3rd of June

As surprising number of boats turned up for the 1st race, despite the rain and temperature, 15 boats crossed the start line in the 1st race, and 14 in the 2nd.

In the 1st race, Dave & Shona Redpath and Graeme Henry & Jo Foulkes established the lead early up the 1st beat with Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar and Tom Lockie & Bill Mossop fighting to keep up. Graeme & Jo increased there lead, and with Dave & Shona looking pretty comfortable the main competition was for 3rd place, Charles & Ross managed to sneak past Tom & Bill on the beat and remained ahead, although with Scott and Fiona Fotheringham hot on there heels, had to work to stay ahead. The held there place, with Scott & Fiona coming on 4th and Tom & Bill just behind in 5th.

The 2nd race was very similar to the first with, sometimes fresh but mainly a light breeze. Dave & Shona and Dave Milroy and Joan Wilson both got off to a flying start and started a tussle that lasted a lap and a half, except Graeme and Katie managed to sneak by them both (again) and where half a leg ahead before anyone noticed. Charles & Ross and Scott & Fiona where busy fighting for 4th all the way up the 1st beat, until Scott and Fiona misjudged slipping infront of Charles & Ross, therefore having to do turns and giving up there chance of fourth. Meanwhile the Gap between 3rd and 4th had closed due to the two Dave's mucking each other up. Dave & Joan infringed Dave & Shona at C, allowing them to get a clear lead ahead, and letting Charles & Ross into 3rd again, while Dave & Joan did there turns.

The positions remained fairly static from then on. With Graeme and Katie getting another comfortable victory followed by Dave & Shona then Charles & Ross in 3rd.

Weekend Starting 27th of May

I wasn't at the club this weekend, so send all abuse about this report to Martin Fox.

Saturday was another training day. Unfortunately the wind meant that it was hard to do any structured training. So, instead the 3 enterprises went out and planed about the place in the force 5 gusts. A few swims were also involved in the "practice"!!!

Sunday had the same wind except slightly lighter, meaning some experience of the "St. Mary's Loch winds" was helpful. The races were a lot of fun to sail. The first race saw some great sailing from most of the boats, with good competition for everybody, wherever they were in the fleet. Graeme Henry and Katie Masterson were screaming away from the front of the fleet as soon as the long beat started, their boat going scarily fast upwind. They were chased by Chris Morrish and Martin Fox and Dave and Shona Redpath. Dave and Shona must have had the luck on their side, as Graeme and Chris watched him plaining along the shore and into second place by the top of the beat. The positions stayed the same at the top, but with the top two boats dissapearing into the distance. Graeme Reid and Anna Renz also had a shot at the front of the fleet on the beat, and finished fourth, close behind Chris and Martin.

The second race was more of the same wind. Even although the breeze died away to nothing in the break. Fortunately it came back again for the racing. The long downwind section of the race meant there was a battle of boatspeed downwind, and then the wind shifted and turned into a beat. Which meant that the fleet was well bunched up at the leeward mark, with Chris and Martin first round, closely followed by Dave and Shona. Some more interesting beating in this race meant that Graeme and Katie managed to catch back up after their mid-fleet downwind leg, sailing straight past the top three boats at the start of the beat back up the loch. Yes, it was another beat for some of the time, with the wind bending around all over the place. Dave and Chris once again caught Graeme on the downwind leg. Dave took the right decision and went out to the middle of the loch and caught all the wind that was going and sailed past Graeme and Chris. The last mark saw Dave, Chris and Graeme all one after the other, finishing in the same order.

There was definately a lot of fun had in the gusty conditions, with smiles on the faces of the people who didn't go swimming, especially Chris Morrish, after his excellent performance. Dave Redpath was also happy, as he has now pulled ahead of Chris in the Spring Series, which is soon to end.

The Mirrors also had one race with only a few boats. They also enjoyed the conditions, and the close racing and competition between the helms Alison Morrish and Fraser Reid. Unfortunately one broken boat and a sore finger saw a boat pull out, meaning there was no other race.

Weekend Starting 13th of May

Firstly let me apologize for not having any roundups for the past few weeks, I wasn't;t at the club, and couldn't find anyone willing to write one instead, if your a club member and wouldn't mind writing the odd one for the site when I 'm not around, mail me and tell me.

Lovely weather greeted everyone who managed to make it down Saturday, sun and even a bit of wind helped everyone participating in the training enjoy themselves.

Sunday saw the first major racing event of the year - The Vice-Commodores Cup. Lovely weather again but no wind was looking like the order of the day, but luckily a nice, quite fresh at times Southerly blew up. With this perfect combination 19! enthusiastic boats set out for the first race. Ian Henry, the race officer sent the fleet all the way down to the new marks, E & H, resulting in a huge run just after the usual chaotic reach start. The fleet stayed remarkably close together all the way up the run resulting on a very interesting mark rounding at E, with it looking like there was going to be water called for by the inside boats for the mark, and by the outside boats for the shore! Despite a few curses and bumps most folk got out intact although with some of the leading boats coming out last and the trailing boats suddenly finding themselves at the front! Graeme Henry & Katie Masterson came out trumps, just managing to squeeze round ahead of the mob, and bye the time everyone else had cluncked there way around they were nothing but a red and blue dot in the distance!

With some nice moves up the beat (as usual) Graeme & Katie managed to find increase there lead still, with the nearest competition Dave Milroy & Joan Wilson who were well ahead of everyone else as well, but but enough to bother Graeme & Katie who unsurprisingly took 1st. Dave & Joan held 2nd with Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar managing to come from the back of the fleet to take 3rd.

After a hot and lazy lunch the fleet headed out for the 2nd race of the day, this time with slightly more wind. A very similar reach start and then run started the race, except with an intermediate K on the run providing some variation. Euan Dunn and Angela (?) from Clyde Canoe Club decided to informally take part in the race and certainly provided some more competition. After yet more scary mark roundings, the beat was lead by Charles Morrish and Keith Renz until Euan and Angela magically flew from nowhere into the lead, although Charles and Keith did try there best to fend them off. Shortly after Graeme and Katie did the same leaving the rest of the fleet wondering where they went wrong. Charles and Ross managed to follow in their footsteps a little later but despite there best efforts could not catch the two leaders. Euan & Angela did manage to even things out a bit with a capsize allowing Graeme & Katie to pass them although they did manage to catch them again but retired before the finish as the weren't actually in the competition. This allowed Charles & Ross to finish in a very comfortable second to Graeme and Katie.

The same course was raced in the last race, which was purely for enjoyment as Graeme and Katie had already won with two firsts. It proved to be very enjoyable with Jamie McSeveney & Anna Renz providing some light entertainment with a capsize up the 2nd run. The stronger winds also gave many folks thighs serious pain with them not having hiked out for 6 months!

True to there from Graeme & Katie managed another first with Charles & Ross not quite able to stay infront long enough to win.

Apparently the mirrors also had some very fun racing with Ali Morrish & Fi Foulkes winning the Vice-Commodores Cup for Mirrors.

Weekend Starting 22nd of April

There are 2 roundups, this weekend, because I was at Loch Earn Regatta, so I wrote a roundup for there, and Pete Birrell wrote the St Mary's Roundup.

Roundup for Loch Earn

The lack of wind that greeted us upon arrival unfortunetaly decided to stay for the entire weekend. Despite this, seven boats and some very close racing provided an enjoyable weekend (for most).

A tiny wee local breeze gave the race officer the first opportunity to send us out, with the whole loch filling it in was beginning to look promising but unfortunately by the time the Enterprises started this had all dissapeared, leaving nothing but a two hour drift to look forward to. The winds seemed to work in Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar's favor, with them emerging at the finish line trumps. Although Alisdair and Chris where hot on their heels for the Entire race.

Another small puff on the loch allowed us to go out for a second race, but again it dissapeared leaving conditions similar to the previous race. Despite a procession for 3/4 of the race, the last beat proved to be very exciting with 4 boats very close. Every one of the four seemed to be a fair bit ahead, then lose it again till 10 meters from the line and still all four boats could've got it. 5m from the line the fight had been narrowed down to Charles & Ross and Alisdair & Chris with the latter boat just having the edge, but needing to tack onto port infront of Charles and Ross to cross the line, of course this was all happening in super-slow motion, with us going at about 1m per minute. So there was a very tense and frustrating last ten minutes. The Starboard advantage that Charles & Ross gained prevented Alisdair & Chris tacking over the line, so Charles & Ross just managed another victory.

After an enjoyable dinner and evening in the Drummond Arms everyone emerged (some worse for wear) too a sight which yesterday would've seemed impossible - even less wind! The race officer decided to wait in the hope of some wind, and it seemed like a good decision as a nice proper looking breeze blew up and looked like it was here to stay (much to the distress of the many folk that had packed their boat away). The suddenly much cheerier fleet went out for the start, and. in keeping with the rest of the weekend, died.

Nevertheless the fleet started and enjoyed(?) another 2 hour drift although the wind did fill in in patches every now and then giving the crews a merciful relief from being cramped up in the bottom of the boat. Alisdair and Chris managed to pull some nifty moves up the first leg, emerging 20 boatlengths ahead at the 1^st mark. He managed to keep his lead up the hellish beat and all the way round till the 2nd last mark which he hit allowing Chris Morrish & Martin Fox to pass him, much to the relief of Charles & Ross who, lying in 4^th place were in danger of losing the regatta to Alisdair and Chris, They managed to take 3^rd from Laurence Young & (His crew??) though, so with that being the last race won overall.

Roundup for St Mary's

Easter Sunday dawned bright and sunny with light winds. Despite a number of St Marys regulars traveling to Loch Earn eight boats took to the water for the first race.

Light winds at the clubhouse end didn't spoil an enjoyable race. Winds never got much above light but some modest hiking was necessary off March Wood.

Tom Lockie led from the start and the other competitors followed him over the line with the threatening presence of Big Stewart limbering up in "WhyNot", Dave Redpaths proven race winner from last season.

The second race got underway in slightly fresher winds and the same course was sailed. This time Graeme Reid took an early lead and held on to the end, winning from Tom Lockie.

Fresh from his experiments in Enterprise Road Racing Big Stu struggled with the performance of his borrowed craft and fought off Pete Birrell to take last place.

Weekend Starting 8th of June

Although it was very quiet on Saturday, Sunday proved to be a very enjoyable, if a bit too cold, start to the Enterprise Spring Series.

In the first race, Sixteen brave souls managed to wake up, and find the enthusiasm to get into there sailing kit by the (what seemed like) very early 2 o'clock start. Although Katie Masterson & Graeme Henry put as all to shame by being out on the water, playing with Katie's new RS 200 before noon!

The eight boats started, in typical St Mary's fashion, on a reach with Charles Willoughby & Ross McKerchar managing to get pole position for the start. They kept there lead in the flukey winds till halfway up the first beat, were Dave & Shona Redpath managed to slip by them. Scott & Fiona Fotheringham also managed to pass Charles and Ross, with Tom Lockie & Jamie McSeveney and Keith Malcolm & Chris Morrish hot on there heels. Charles & Ross just managed to squeeze enough speed out of the boat to get water off Scott and Fiona at M mark, therefore managing to retake 2nd place. Dave & Shona still managed to keep a comfortable lead. For the rest of the race everyone seemed to be concentrating more on keeping warm than racing, and the fleet seemed to remain fairly static. Charles & Ross did managed to catch right up with Dave & Shona (they realised the quicker they finish the quicker they could get warm again) but couldn't close the gap enough to get water at M, Dave & Shona therefore winning the first race of the season.

There was even less enthusiasm to venture outside the (relative) warmth of the clubhouse for a 2nd race, and that coupled with people needing to get home early meant that only six boats were stupid enough to go out again. Luckily the wind was a little bit stronger and less flukey resulting in a slightly more enjoyable race for everyone. Especially since the Race Officer very considerately set a short race with only one lap. The only catch was that the one lap had an A to J beat in it! Due to some close racing, and many place changes it luckily went by quickly with Dave & Shona and Tom & Jamie emerging up at J 30 boatlengths ahead of Charles & Ross in 3rd place. The wind then died again on the long run back, with an unexpected swing to the East, changing a Run then a Reach to a Reach then a Run. The whole fleet spread out on the downwind legs, and finished pretty much in the same order that they arrived at the windward mark in.

The thought of a warm shower caused some of the fastest de-rigging ever seen at St Mary's, on par with midge ridden Wednesdays! So most people went home early to try and thaw out before the Cheese and Wine next week.