IOM Scottish Travellers 2011 Event 3 – Levenhall – 1st October 2011

Report by Richard Ennos  Score Sheet

A total of 11 IOM skippers from five of the Scottish clubs assembled at Levenhall for the third and final event of the 2011 Scottish Travellers series to be greeted by a flat calm. The pond had only recently been cut for weed to allow sufficient water to run the event. Despite this treatment, weed proved to be a troublesome but unpredictable problem for competitors throughout the day, particularly in the early heats when the wind was at its lightest.

Race officer Richard Ennos, assisted by Nick Cowern and Terry Connell, set a windward-leeward course with a windward mark to the east and a leeward gate to the west. By the time the yachts had assembled for the countdown, the wind had shifted 180 degrees so that the course was eventually sailed in the opposite direction to that originally intended. The wind direction varied continuously throughout the day, keeping the race team busy resetting the course in the breaks between races. In the morning session the early leaders were Steve Taylor sailing a Robot and Tom Milne from the home club who demonstrated that, when well set up, a Lintel can be very competitive even in the very lightest of airs. Sandy Mackay, another Levenhall member and a newcomer to the Traveller’s series, took full advantage of his 20 second starting advantage, to post a win and a second place before the lunch break was called.

After lunch a slightly less fickle wind set in and Ian Dundas started to show some form, recovering from the effects of a very early start to the day back in Aberdeen. Ian’s main challengers were Steve Taylor also from Aberdeen, Robert Brown sailing an Italico, and Patrick Johnston sailing a Lintel. All suffered from intermittent setbacks due to weed, but remained remarkably philosophical in the circumstances.

Towards the end of the day David Smith sailing a Kite achieved two comprehensive race wins which, together with an earlier second place, meant that he relinquished his starting advantage. It was nip and tuck between the two Aberdeen skippers throughout the afternoon, and the event was only decided on the sixteenth and final race when Ian overhauled a one point deficit to win the event by a single point.

Despite the trials and tribulations of weed and fickle winds it had been an enjoyable day of competitive but well- mannered sailing with no protests and a friendly atmosphere.

The results from the Levenhall event meant Ian Dundas won the 2011 Scottish IOM Traveller Series overall ahead of Steve Taylor with Robert Brown in third place

Top placings were: