IOM Scottish District Championships – Castle Semple – 23-24th May 2015
Report by Ian Dundas
A number of the competitors and race team gathered on the Friday afternoon in pleasant conditions to set up the event and get in a bit of practice. All were looking forward to enjoying the good racing and close competition that is customary at Castle Semple.
The Scottish District IOM Championship would be decided over two full days of racing using the format of two races “back to back” followed by a break. Checks had been made to ensure there would be no issues with weed at the venue and the forecast was for westerly winds, light to start with but building over the weekend.
There was a good entry of 15 boats from 7 Scottish Clubs and one from the Chelmsford Club south of the border. RO Ian Dundas decided to run the event using one heat only.
Saturday
As forecast, the racing started in light and shifty conditions. Phil Playle, the visiting skipper from Chelmsford, won race 1 with his immaculately prepared Vision IOM showing the others how to pick out the wind shifts in the tricky light conditions. John Owens stole a march on the fleet and won race 2 well ahead of Ali Law in 2nd.
In race 3 the keenness of the fleet was illustrated by two of the top skippers being over the line at the start. Over the next 6 races, race wins were shared at 3 a piece between Phil Playle and Ali Law which meant that after 8 races and 2 discards they were equal at the top of the scoreboard on 11 points each, Steve Taylor was a close 3rd on 17 ahead of his club mate John Owens on 20.
The wind strengthened mid-morning towards 10 knots. There seemed to be a benefit to take a long tack out towards the centre of the loch and catch good pressure into the top mark. This was counterbalanced by good lifts close to shore which often brought the middle of the fleet into contention. The result was very close racing which was certainly not processional on the upwind and downwind legs. Good results were seen from Richard Rowan with his new Chienz winning race 9, Gordon Allison with his new V9 coming second in race 8 and Robert Brown who was back with his Britpop after a period out of the sport with a 3rd in race 5. Hugh Shields was also getting good results with his latest own design and built McShee.
Positions after 8 races (2 discards) Thanks to David Smith for extracting intermediate results
In the afternoon Ali Law and Phil Playle continued to trade places at the front with Ali having a good run scoring 4 race wins.
At the end of day 1 after 15 races, Ali Law on 24 points had opened a 6 point lead over Phil Playle on 30 points, Steve Taylor on 43 points and Richard Rowan had pulled up to 4th with 63 points ahead of John Owens on 71 points. Other notable results were seen from Ian Thompson with his well-earned 2nd place in race 12.
Positions after 15 races (2 discards)
Evening Social
The competitors and race organisers enjoyed an excellent meal at the Canny Man restaurant when the fortunes of the day were reviewed.
Sunday
Racing started on Sunday with the wind more westerly but much lighter than forecast. This led to more fluky conditions especially in the area close to shore near the windward mark.
Richard Rowan got it right in race 16 to win his second race and John Owens did likewise in race 17 just ahead of Pat Johnston who was sailing a wooden built Alternative. In the next races through to the third discard after 24 races, Ali law posted 3 race wins but uncharacteristically also had some bigger scores to count whereas Phil Playle was maintaining good consistency with nothing higher than a 5th place..
At 24 races Phil with 45 points had pulled up to within 2 points of Ali Law in the lead on 43 points with Steve Taylor in third on 65 points and Richard Rowan on 73 points.
Positions after 24 races (4 discards)
In the last three races, in some very exciting racing, Phil Playle had 2 firsts and a second which meant that he had overtaken Ali Law to win the event and the Visitors trophy. Ali Law who had sailed a very good event was crowned 2015 Scottish District IOM Champion ahead of Steve Taylor and Richard Rowan.
Photos from Bill Reid and Hugh Shields
Top placings after 27 races with 4 discards
| Pos | Skipper | Club | Hull design | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Phil Playle | Chelmsford | Vision | 49 |
| 2. | Ali Law * | Buchanness | Britpop | 56 |
| 3. | Steve Taylor | Aberdeen | Britpop | 76 |
| 4. | Richard Rowan | Greenock | Cheinz | 83 |
| 5. | John Owens | Aberden | Britpop | 114 |
| 6. | Gordon Allison | Ayr Bay | V9 | 156 |
* Scottish District Champion
Most Improved Skipper
The special prize from the Race Committee for Most Improved Skipper was awarded to Ian Thomson from Buchanness sailing a Britpop who had a string of very good finishes in the event.
Race Team
Ian Dundas, David Smith, Boyd Baird, Cathy Reid, Bill Reid, Gordon Neil & Victor Kelly
Recognition of Castle Semple Staff and Facilities
Thanks were extended by the Competitors and Race Team to the Management of the Castle Semple Centre for the contribution made by all the staff towards the success of the event.