Results / Regatta Largs SC - 24/08/2013

Five visitors joined four local boats for the penultimate event of the JP Watersports RS 200 Scottish Series at Largs Sailing Club on 24th August. Tropical conditions greeted the visitors on arrival but a slight lack of wind lead to a short postponement ashore before the wind filled in.

The 200s were second to start but with fast and slow handicap fleets - including everything from an 18ft skiff to a topper and a fleet of catamarans conditions round the race course were pretty hectic.

The first race got off cleanly in a reasonably steady F2. Conditions got shiftier and lighter as the boats fell into the wind shadow of Cumbrae and approached the windward mark. Niamh Harper, helming for her Dad Richard showed the fleet how it should be done and stormed away to take the lead. Various place changes ensued behind with Fiona Rigg and Vicki Simpson (who had been let loose in the shiny new boat - thanks Robbie!) eventually managing to pop out of the front of the pack to take 2nd with Martin Faulkner and Jo Gibson, sailing the infamous Red Shed, 3rd.

Race two and Team Tait appeared to have blown away the cobwebs and were on form, storming off into the horizon on lap one. The tricky downwind leg came into play again though on lap two with the ‘do we go left or right of the start/finish line’ decision proving critical. Rigg/Simpson managed to pop out in front and took the win with the MacKinnons in second and Team Tait third.

The third race and a combination of tide and the over eager 200s lead to a general recall and the 200s therefore being sent to the back of the starting line up. The fleet got away at the second attempt and with the tide ever increasing a number of boats managed to lay the windward mark in one tack. Rigg/Simpson lead around the windward mark only to be overtaken over the course of the next lap by half of the fleet. Team MacKinnon eventually took the win with Robertson/Ryecroft pipping Rigg/Simpson on the line for 2nd and 3rd respectively. It was now 16:30 and that was it for the day. With only three of the scheduled four races completed all three were to count and consistency of results was key. Rigg/Simpson took the overall win with 6 pts, and then only 3 points separated 2nd to 5th. Team MacKinnon squidged ahead to take 2nd and Team Harper 3rd.

With four RS200 babies in attendance ‘creche corner’ in the sailing club was bursting at the seams but the shore team also made the most of the sunshine with ice creams from the famous Nardini’s before modeling their new team babygros kindly created by Vicki Simpson.

The adult members of the fleet then enjoyed the free beer (drink the optimist dry!) and a delicious hog roast put on by the sailing club - a perfect end to the day!

There is now one event left to go at Fisherrow Yacht Club on 21st September. Chris Perry and Kirsty Lytton still lead the overall series (despite having had to give Largs a miss due to Chris’ manflu). Team MacKinnon are hot on their heals though and with two wins already under their belt Robbie Burns and Vicki Simpson may well still reclaim the trophy. The prize draw will be made and all boats that have completed three events will be eligible. With some great prizes from our sponsor JP Watersports up for grabs and the amazing Fisherrow hospitality it's definitely worth making the trip, see you there!