North East Clubs 2008 Early Series Event 3 – Buchanness – 15th March 2008
Report by Ali Law Full results (pdf file)
Saturday 15th March saw the third and final event of the early winter series at Peterhead. The weather was just as the met office had given out, wind out of the north west and at 12 mph ( max ) with sunshine and a temperature of about 9°C which increased to about 30°C in your head as the event unfolded such was the pace of the yachts.
The race officer for the day was Brian Robertson who was doing this job for the first time, unfortunately the scorer called off at the last minute and Brian had to cope with observing and scoring at the same time but he managed extremely well and was able to push the racing along at a brisk pace. The racing was run 2 back to back with 16 races completed at the end of the day. I think Brian has earned the right to set up and run other events.
Eight skippers had originally entered the event but one of the Buchanness skippers had to call off at the last minute because of a leg injury. Nevertheless seven did manage to turn up those being two from Brechin – Ralph Knowles and Neil Jardine ( the young lad ), three from Aberdeen – Ian Dundas, Jimmy Bisset and Steve Taylor and finally two form Buchanness – Ali Law and Shaky Bill.
Whilst the turnout was low the guys who made the effort and travelled were rewarded with excellent sailing conditions. During the morning, the wind started from the west but was steadily moving round to north – this meant that “poor old” Ali the boat man was kept busy rowing about making adjustments. Finally, after lunch it settled down.
The event was sailed in a sportsmanship manner, the skippers behaved extremely well and turns were promptly taken. Where this did not happen they retired. We did have one serious contact which is worth looking at where two yachts were close hauled on the starboard lay line and a third approaching on the port lay line. The port boat tacked inside four boats circle in the path of the starboard boats, there was a collision between the first starboard boat and the port tacker, they locked up. The second starboard boat which was some way back failed to keep clear and sailed into them. The outcome was that the second starboard yacht was disqualified for failing to keep clear of the first starboard boat. The latter boat was given redress, the port boat had done a penalty turn on the water but as things turned out should also have been disqualified because the first starboard boat’s winch burned out due to the lock up ( serious damage ). This incident shows how necessary it is to take some thought as to how you are to approach a windward mark and to pass it without causing damage to yourself and others.
As usual the score line does not tell the whole picture as all skippers sailed very well and it was interesting just how close they were, although some were heard crying for divine intervention at times of extreme frustration. If I were to single out one skipper who performed above his usual level it would have to be Shaky, he started on a 20 sec advantage winning the first two and coming second on the third, going to scratch, and showing he really does not need an advantage by winning the fourth race and coming 3rd overall for the day. Such is sailing.
In summary, the day was brilliant for sailing. The RO did a great job. The skippers rose to the occasion. Ali retained the quaich.
First 3 positions were:
- Ali Law – Buchanness – 17 points
- Ian Dundas – Aberdeen – 35 points
- Shakey Bill – Buchanness – 41 points