IOM NE-SW Clubs Challenge Regatta 2011 – 13th and 14th August at Buchanness MYC
Report by Ian Dundas Score Sheet
The annual IOM challenge between the North East of Scotland and South West of England Model Yachting Clubs was held at Buchanness MYC in Peterhead on 13/14th August.
This event was first established in 2005 when the North East of Scotland skippers extended an invitation to the South West District skippers to come up and join them for a weekend of club racing. The event over the past 6 years has built up a reputation for good racing, good fun and good hospitality. The current Quaich Trophy holders are the North East who won in Woodspring near Bristol last year and lead 4 – 2 going into this event.
The format of the event is fleet/team racing in IOM yachts with the result determined by the average score of each team. No prizes are given for top finishers but the team with the lowest average score over two days wins the coveted Quaich Trophy. To balance the teams a couple of North East Skippers were transferred into the South West Team. Two skippers from the rec
Saturday
Just ahead of the first race the overnight rain stopped to be replaced with sunny skies and a stiff southerly breeze. All skippers elected to race in No 2 Rig which proved to be the correct rig over the day especially at the downwind end of the course which became choppy. Team racing tactics were employed throughout the fleet making for very interesting situations on the start line and at mark roundings as skippers manoeuvred to give their team mates an advantage while hindering the opposite team. Although the close racing and strong wind produced a few incidents, these were dealt with in the good spirit and gentlemanly conduct that is customary at NE/SW events. By lunchtime the team scores were fairly even with Bill Reid going well for the home team and Sarah Conner and John Owens holding their own against the top seeds. After lunch the wind swung a little but stayed steady allowing excellent racing throughout the fleet. By the end of the day 14 races had been sailed with the South East Team edging ahead with an average score of 7.3 verses 7.7 for the home team. The order at the front of the fleet was Ali Law (NE), Ian Dundas (SW), Steve Taylor (NE), Trevor Bamforth (SW), John Owens (SW) and Bob Conner (SW).
Evening Entertainment
In the evening the local club hosted an excellent dinner attended by skippers, race team and families which helped to build on existing friendships and establish new ones.
Sunday
Day 2 began with a flat calm over the reservoir, but a light easterly slowly set in allowing racing to begin on a new course with a slightly reduced fleet of 12 boats. The lighter shifty wind suited the South West Team who were more accustomed to these conditions than the stiff breeze of Day 1. Trevor Bamforth showed the way in the morning session with Steve Taylor responding well in the afternoon session. The racing at the rear of the fleet was just as exciting with each team constantly looking to improve their average score. By the end of Sundays racing the South West team managed to hold on to the advantage they built in the morning and finished the day on an average score of 5.5 compared to 7.5 for the home team. Top six on Sunday were Trevor Bamforth (SW), Steve Taylor (NE), Ian Dundas (SW), Ali Law (NE), Bob Conner (SW) and Sarah Conner(SW). Thanks go to Cathy Reid who undertook the task of Race Scorer over the weekend.
Results
Average Scores for the Event: North East Team 7.5 South West Team 6.4
This meant the South West won back the Quaich Trophy and now only trail the North East by 4 – 3. Skippers are now looking forward to next years NE/SW Challenge to be held at the Woodspring Club, Portishead in the South West.