IOM Scottish Events 2010 Ayr Bay Open Meeting – 28th August 2010
Report by Gordon Rae
A smaller than expected fleet of 12 IOM’s turned out for Scotland’s newest Club’s very first running of an Open Event in Irvine at the invitation of the Paisley Club whose pond is badly affected by weed. The 2 week notice to change the venue presented the host club with some logistical problems but which were all overcome and a successful event ensued.
The Race Officer, Gordon Rae, held a single fleet series of 21 races in boisterous conditions, with shifty winds ranging from 12 to 18 knots, which tested both boats and skippers throughout the day, producing 6 different race winners.
Predominantly windward leeward courses were set with Alistair Law (Pikanto), Robert Rooney (Topiko) and Richard Rowan (Italico) sharing the honours in the morning session. In the afternoon the wind built steadily and the morning’s winners were chased by Pat Johnston (Lintel), who during the day suffered several sheet problems, with a number of wins, and it became clear that the winner of the event was going to come from this group. When the wind was at its peak Richard Rowan craftily used the time from a retiral to change down to the No.3 rig and as result scored 2 wins and a second in the final three races to clinch the overall win.