IOM Scottish Travellers 2009 Event 1 – West Coast Clubs at Paisley – 18th April 2009

Report by Gordon Allison    Score sheet

Paisley Model Yacht hosted the first event of the 2009 Travellers series at Barshaw Park on 18/04/2009. The event was well attended with 18 skippers entering. Weather on the day was an easterly wind which was very unpredictable to say the least and when combined with the well known wind shifts in the Paisley pond, the skippers found it hard to get consistency.
Race committee of David Smith and Gordon Allison had a tricky time setting the course as the wind was changing quite a bit at the start but settled for a trusted course in the hope the wind would settle. Richard Ennos had the misfortune of having his boat break down and did not start.

After the race briefing sailing got underway with a light wind variable in direction from the east. Richard Rowan showed his experience winning the first 6 races with Robert Rooney and Alistair Law not far behind. This continued for the rest of the morning with most protests being settled on the water in a gentlemanly like fashion. The race committee had only one issue of redress to deal with and done so quickly and efficiently.

For the first time the Paisley club were able to provide excellent refreshments at lunch due to the acquisition of a bigger clubhouse and investment in equipment. Many, if not all the skippers commented favorably on the refreshments available
and the effort of the volunteers who provided it.

David Philip suffered winch failure at lunch and had to retire. The afternoon session went very well and Robert Rooney improved his position with Alistair Law sailing steadily. When racing finished at around 3.30 pm Richard Rowan, who had been sailing very well all day, claimed 1st place. Prizes were awarded to the top 3 skippers courtesy of Paisley Model Yacht Club and everyone agreed that the event had been a success and all looked forward to the next Travellers event.

Top placings were: