IOM Scottish Wooden Hull Championship 2012 Brechin – 14th July 2012

Report by Ralph Knowles  Score Sheet

The Scottish District Wooden Boat Championships were sailed at Monikie Country Park located to the north of Monifieth, Angus. Weed threatened the originally planned venue and this alternative was available at short notice. The race team was led by Race Officer David Williams (Brechin) supported by Ian Thomson & Bill Odger from Buchanness and Dick McBride from Brechin. Many thanks to them for their efforts in the difficult wind conditions and for giving up their afternoons sailing (get building guys!).

Working from a long north facing embankment, thirteen boats were launched mid-morning for a series of twelve races. The conditions were very variable, with courses being difficult to set. The light breeze boxed the compass a few times before finally settling into a variable easterly by mid-afternoon. Some heats were inevitably started on the reach but all competitors accepted the conditions with alacrity, with the inevitable brew breaks whilst waiting for steadier conditions.

1st, 2nd, and 3rd places were well spread about the top half of the fleet with Ali Law, Richard Ennos and Tich Summers taking the top three places at the final round up. Commiserations must be offered to Gordon Rae who travelled from the Clyde coast only to suffer TX problems which blighted his day.

RO David valiantly managed to finalise the results ‘on the hoof’ whilst walking the half mile back to the car park, damaged ribs and all (not caused by the arm twisting to be RO!). The arithmetic subsequently proved accurate when checked. Well done to all concerned for making it a great day.