IOM Scottish Travellers 2011 Event 1 – Paisley – 12th March 2011

Report by David Smith    Score Sheet

Despite lying snow all around with more falling, eleven intrepid skippers from Aberdeen to Irvine turned up at Barshaw Park, Paisley, for a briefing from Race Officer Robert Rooney at 0945 and a prompt start at 1000. With a light breeze coming fitfully from the East the course was laid out with the first beat across the south end of the pond followed by a short reach northwards and a longer, diagonal reach back to the start area. The course continued with a further beat across the pond, a run back and a final beat to the finish. In view of the difficult conditions it was agreed that no race would start after 1500.

Richard Rowan established a clear lead to win the first race with Steve Taylor second and Ian Dundas third. Hugh Shields ran away with the second race followed by Ian Dundas, Gordon Allison and Steve Taylor. The third race was won by David Stewart making good use of his starting advantage with Ian Dundas coming a consistent second and Hugh Shields taking third place.

The snow continued to fall and conditions on the bank were distinctly slushy underfoot – waterproof yachting clothing and footwear was the rig of the day; damp and cold played havoc with some skippers and some radio equipment.

Ian Dundas won race four from Hugh Shields and Richard Rowan with Steve Taylor in fourth place. Richard had been suffering battery trouble after his success in the first race but now began to recover. Race five went to Richard in a close finish with Ian Dundas; Steve Taylor was third and David Stewart had another good finish at fourth. In race six Richard Rowan was back in top form being clear ahead from the start with David Stewart second, Ian Dundas third and Hugh Shields holding to some good form in fourth place.

Ian Dundas won race seven from David Stewart and Steve Taylor with Richard Rowan fifth after Bob Hughes senior. Having now achieved three ‘top three’ places David Stewart lost his starting advantage and slipped down the results table for a few races. Richard Rowan came back to the fore in race eight winning it from Steve Taylor and ‘Mr Consistency’ Ian Dundas. Gordon Allison was unlucky to be placed fifth behind Hugh Shields; he was second behind Richard approaching the line but stalled in a tack and three yachts slipped past before he regained speed. Richard Rowan took race nine followed by Ian Dundas, Hugh Shields and Steve Taylor.

The company adjourned to the clubhouse for a warming lunch of soup, sausage roll, pie and beans – very much appreciated. This was a great chance to dry out radios boats, clothes and feet! At lunch, Ian Dundas and Richard Rowan were tied on net 13 points.

After lunch it was clearly a little milder – the snow had turned to sleet with occasional rain! The wind remained light from the East but varied in strength unpredictably leaving holes of deadness.

Despite the lunch break, both Ian Dundas and Richard Rowan had radio problems at the resumption of sailing and spent race ten frantically trying to restore their yachts to good health. Steve Taylor took advantage of their absence to lead Gordon Allison, John Mason and David Stewart across the line. Ian Dundas and Richard Rowan were back for race eleven and came first and second respectively with Gordon Allison third and Hugh Shields fourth. Steve Taylor had been second approaching the line but was protested by Richard Rowan in a tacking incident and retired after finishing. Ian Dundas won race twelve from Steve Taylor, Bob Hughes senior and John Mason. Richard Rowan was unable to sail in either race twelve or race thirteen due to continuing radio problems.

David Stewart showed that his success in the morning was not entirely due to starting advantage by winning race thirteen from Steve Taylor, John Mason and Gordon Allison. In finishing sixth this was Ian Dundas’ only poor race of the day. Richard Rowan returned for race fourteen and won a close race from Ian Dundas and Steve Taylor. Despite the trying conditions on the bank Hugh Shields managed to come fourth. Richard Rowan won the fifteenth, and last, race with Ian Dundas second, Bob Hughes senior third and John Mason fourth. Steve Taylor had retired from this race due to water in his transmitter.

When the scores were totalled, Ian Dundas gained first place on 25 points clear ahead of Richard Rowan in second on 39 points closely followed by Steve Taylor in third on 42 points. David Stewart achieved a very creditable fourth place some way behind Steve Taylor.

Ian Dundas thanked Paisley MYC for their organisation in difficult conditions, and his fellow skippers for sporting racing.

The Race Team from Paisley MYC comprised Robert Rooney (Race Officer) and David Smith (Scorer) assisted by Terry Allison and John Gilchrist. Lunch was prepared by Jimmy Stewart and Terry Allison who also supplied further hot pies and sausage rolls at the close of sailing to bring the day to a successful conclusion.

Top placings were: