IOM Scottish Travellers Event 6 – Greenock – 27th September 2008

Report by Boab Hughes (RO)      Score Sheet

10 skippers from 5 of the Scottish Clubs turned out at Greenock for the last of the 2008 Scottish IOM Traveller events. The day opened bright but with a worsening forecast. The best of the day was to be the morning’s dry south west wind veering to the North West but rain spreading from the north was expected in the afternoon. A solid breeze with lumps in it encouraged the entire fleet to open on second suits.
Ali Law sailing his Topico took the first three races and established a commanding lead from the outset, when asked ‘aren’t you coming ashore to trim’ he replied ‘if the boat’s winning leave it alone’. In the fourth race he had technical difficulties dropping him to sixth allowing Richard Ennos with his Vector to grab a first.

After six races a tea break was called to allow skippers to warm up and adjust their boats. At that point Ali changed up to No 1 rig but struggled to control his boat so changed back to No 2. Richard Costigan sailing his Lintel was going very well and posted a good run of second and first places showing how much he has improved and how much the Lintel suited the strong conditions. By now hats started to blow off down the bank. Someone remarked ‘when my hat blows off I know its time to change down to my third suit’. Big Jim, one of the race team, ran down the steep bank several times to retrieve hats. At least twice he overran the road at the bottom of the bank, finishing up on the football field. Further hat retrieval was done by the owners.

After the legendary lunch provided by the home club racing restarted with three boats changing up to their top suits. Two quickly went back to second suit after one punishing race but Hugh Shields persevered with his Mc Shee until the afternoon tea break stating that ‘it might lighten up’. It didn’t but Hughie soldiered on regardless. In this session David Loomes faired better and had a run of good results. Towards the end of the day Ralph Knowles also came to the front but over the day no one had an answer to the consistency of Ali who finished ahead of Richard Costigan, Ralph Knowles and Robert Rooney.
The day finished in the clubhouse with the prize giving and a vote of thanks to the race and catering team from Ali on behalf of the visitors. It was only then that the wind dropped to top suit and manageable levels.

The weather is a fickle mistress.

Top placings were: