R6M District Championships – Paisley – Saturday 16th September 2012

Report by Gordon Allison

The Scottish 6M District Championship took place at Barshaw Park, Paisley on Saturday 16th September. This was re-scheduled from April when the pond suffered from weed.

An expected turnout of 10 skippers would have been the highest number for a few years but a few call-offs meant that only six skippers raced in the event. Race Officer for the day was Terry Allison who set a triangle/sausage course with a healthy breeze coming from the southwest.

Racing started at just after 10.00 am. Gordon Allison suffered the first of many breakdowns at 30 seconds and failed to start. The first race was won by Robert Rooney with John Mathieson close behind. Gordon Neil from Ayr Bay was sailing a 6M for the first time using a borrowed Rococco and managed a credible 4th place.

The following four races were very closely contested between Robert Rooney and John Mathieson for 1st and 2nd with each of them gaining two wins each. Gordon Allison finally had his numerous boat problems fixed by Race 6 and managed to win by a distance from Robert. It was at this point that John Mathieson’s Ravenna suffered terminal problems and retired from the proceedings. John Gilchrist and David Smith were having a great tussle for 3rd and 4th positions and were not far behind the leaders. Towards the end of the morning session Gordon Allison was becoming the main threat to Robert who had a few mishaps and collisions with other boats.

The now famous Paisley pie and beans lunch prepared by Jimmy Stewart and Terry Allison were enjoyed by all the skippers.

The afternoon session saw no change in the wind direction but an increase in strength to the maximum the top suit could handle. Robert Rooney proceeded to win the first four races of the afternoon from Gordon Allison who then suffered another boat failure. It was agreed that by all the skippers that Gordon Neil should be offered a 20 second starting advantage since he was trying 6M for the first time and found it very different from his Laser and IOM. He did very well until batteries failed him.

Gordon Allison and Robert were now involved in some “America’s Cup” starting tactics which was great to watch but with Gordon having better upwind speed and Robert having better downwind speed they had to really concentrate to make any gains on each other. It was a pity that John Mathieson retired as all of these boats were very evenly matched and would have produced further excitement. John Gilchrist and David Smith were always in the thick of the racing and David began to reduce the lead that John gained during the morning session managing to finish 2nd in two of the last three races.

It was a great credit to all the skippers that only a handful of infringements occurred all day, much to the satisfaction of the Race Officer. In the end Robert Rooney emerged victorious again in retaining the title for another year. As the Scottish District 6M Championship Trophy was stolen during a break-in at the Paisley clubhouse earlier this year, Robert will be presented with a new one at the club AGM.

Final results