The third event in the North East Scotland IOM Winter Series was run by the Buchanness Club but was held at Inchgarth Reservoir in Aberdeen as this was now back up to high water level and was closer for visitors coming from the South.

Eight skippers entered the event, four from Peterhead, three from Aberdeen and one from Paisley. Some skippers were no doubt put off by the forecast of near zero temperature and very light winds.

Race officer C. Deakin called the skippers together at 10am for the briefing which outlined the sailing plan for the day. The course was a windward / leeward with an offset mark some twenty feet and at right angles to the windward mark. This offset mark separates the yachts that have rounded from the yachts preparing to round and lessens the probability of collisions between yachts. The westerly wind allowed a long 300m course to be set with all marks to be left to Port.

The first race started in very light conditions with yachts seeking the most wind pressure by either going right out to the far side of the sailing area or coming into the bank hoping for a “lift” but in general it paid to go out to get better wind out of the lee of the bank. Large gains could be made on the run downwind by choosing the right gybe and working the slight wind shifts. David Loomes set a marker with his Kite by winning the first race. In the 6 races to lunch David won another race Steve Taylor won one, Ian Dundas two and Ali Law one and at Lunch the top 4 boats were only separated by 3 points.

The afternoon saw the wind speed drop which suited David Loomes and Steve Taylor's yachts. Brian Robertson got his Topiko going and managed two wins, John Owens was delighted with a win and a second with his Widget but the day was closely fought between Steve and David with Steve winning the last race and the regatta by a single point.

With the wind so light it meant that great concentration was needed with the races taking up to twenty minutes to complete. All the races were hard fought but in a sporting way with all incidents sorted on the water with penalty turns being done.

The 3 race Early 2010 Series will begin at Buchanness on 16th Jan, then at Aberdeen on 20th Feb and will finish at Brechin on 6th March.  All skippers will be very welcome.

Full results (pdf file)