IOM Scottish Travellers Event 3 – Buchanness – 4th June 2005

Report by Alistair Law

Nine skippers turned out for the 3rd Travellers of the year. Colin Brown the Buchanness commodore welcomed the skippers and introduced Andrew Haxton of the Brechin club who acted as Race Officer helped by Peter Fowlie of the home club.

The wind was from a northerly direction and quite steady with a speed of about 7mph. The RO set a triangle and sausage course using the ample size of the reservoir with port rounding, therefore the marks were easy to see.

The sailing commenced at 10.15 with the first block of three races. Richard Rowan looking good won the first race with David Loomes 2nd, Colin Brown 3rd and Alistair Law 4th. Unfortunately Richard could not quite keep this up and slipped back with the occasional flash of the old skill. David Loomes took up the running with a win and looked good for the day – indeed he was sailing much better than of late yet he too fell away. Colin Brown brought on a challenge but he too faded away. It finally took Alistair Law sailing his new Topiko to stamp his authority on the regatta and eventually win it from Richard, David and Colin.

It was good to see some (maybe not so) young new skippers to the sport making an impression on the racing, namely Colin McGinnis and Jimmy Bisset – surely with some more regattas behind them they will be up among the front runners.

All In all, it was a very good days sailing with very few incidents and close racing throughout the fleet – well worth the effort to host and sail in the event.

Score sheet