Fastnet Race – Brechin – 28th April 2012

Report by Ralph Knowles 

The 2012 Fastnet Race was held again at the Brechin Castle Centre MBC on Saturday 28th April. The day dawned bright and sunny but very cold. Nine boats plus Boyd Baird’s ‘spare’ were rigged and racing – using the usual format of half hour of continuous laps then half hour break for socialising (or in this case, getting warm again!) – continued for most of the day.

The mix of boat types such as the old, getting old and up to date boats seen in previous years was less evident with the majority being IOM’s. Boyd decided to leave his first choice, an original Isle of Mann 50, on the bank and sailed his ‘spare’, an even older boat which may be a ‘converted to radio’, 80 year old ‘Scottish 6m’, a double ender. This is still to be verified.

The mix of boat types such as the old, getting old and up to date boats seen in previous years was less evident with the majority being IOM’s. Boyd decided to leave his first choice, an original Isle of Mann 50, on the bank and sailed his ‘spare’, an even older boat which may be a ‘converted to radio’, 80 year old ‘Scottish 6m’, a double ender. This is still to be verified.

Winds were light to medium with all the IOM’s comfortably on full rig. An average of ten laps of the course per session were completed and at the final tally, with the appropriate handicaps being applied and the age allowance being added to the antique boat, the result declared was:-

All enjoyed the day, and it was good to have time between sailing sessions for a good chat between competitors from five different clubs along with the soup and sandwiches in the ‘Club Restaurant’. Many thanks to Ali Law (Buchanness) and Alec Burnett (Brechin) for their assistance with course setting and tallying.