North East Club Series


The North East Clubs winter series was initially set up in 2004 up by the Buchaness,  Aberdeen and Brechin clubs as a means to encourage new members to take part in larger fleet racing during the winter period and hopefully to go on to take part in the IOM Scottish Travellers in the summer. 

A race handicap system developed by the Brechin Club is used and it is good to see close finishes between all levels of experience and that certain skippers improve their performance over the series. The series is split into two parts – 3 events are held in the autumn between October and December and 3 events are held in the spring between February and April.   In each part,  one event is held at each club at an approximate monthly interval.

In the 2005/06 series the poor weather forecasts put off some skippers from traveling but the ones who braved the elements were rewarded with excellent sailing conditions which brought out the different characteristics of each of the 3 North East venues.

After some very close racing the late 2005 series with 16 entrants was won by Colin Brown from Buchanness sailing an Italiko and the early 2006 series with 14 entrants was won by Ian Dundas from Aberdeen sailing a Stealth.

Consistency and reliability of equipment played a big part in the outcome.  Good winter clothing was also essential to face the cold weather conditions.  We are now all looking forward to the summer series.
 

During the 2005/2006 series,  there were a number of lessons learnt which have improved the standard of racing and event organization.
 

• The RYGG handicapping was successful.  However, OOD`s should use the option to alter individual handicaps after 3 races to suit the conditions on the day.  At one event the handicaps were doubled because of fluky winds and a long course.
 
• Any participant should be able to call a Time out on finishing to make repairs or adjustments.  OODs should give the requesting skipper up to 3 minutes “boat in hand”.  If no time out is called then racing should proceed with the usual “3 and a break” sequence.
 
• Time should be taken between races to go over any outstanding differences between skippers or to discuss rule infringements. Often by taking it slowly during a break time to clarify who had rights and who didn’t is a good learning experience for all and should lead to a better overall understanding of the racing rules.
 
• Improvements in laying courses – having alternative windward marks in place to cope with changes in wind direction and setting the finish line at the upwind mark were the most obvious.
 
• Using club members as OOD that have not previously done OOD duties.  With assistance when required from the more experienced skippers, this proved successful giving the new OOD`s a better appreciation of regatta organization.