North East Clubs 2011 Early Series Event 1 – Buchanness – 15th January 2011

Report by Ali Law  Score Sheet

The first event in the 2011 North East Scotland Winter Series for IOM Radio Controlled Yachts was run by the Buchanness Radio Yacht Club on 15 January at Forehill Reservoir in Peterhead.

This event is aptly named “winter series” and the ten participating skippers were met with a very stiff breeze from the south with large waves at the leeward end of the sailing water. Whilst it is named the North East series it is open to all MYA skippers and two skippers made the long trip up to Peterhead from Ayr Bay Model Yacht Club.

Because of the predicted wind strength all skippers elected to initially sail in No2 rigs although they could have started on No 1 rig. The wind did increase in strength as the morning went on and during the last race of the morning session the wind was blowing well into No3 rig conditions causing casualties and at that time some skippers elected to go to No3 rig to regain control of their yachts.

The first race was won by Ian Dundas with his fellow Aberdeen skippers Steve Taylor and John Owens coming second and third. These three continued to have a good showing throughout the whole event with John Owens winning race 2. Ali Law who was sailing a newly built Mcshee design won races 3,4,5 and 6. Racing was very close among the top placed boats with results depending on getting the tactics right and avoiding incidents around the course especially at marks bearing in mind the weather conditions. By lunchtime Ali had pulled a slight lead but all skippers were still in close contention.

The afternoon saw variations in the wind strength but it did fall away and those who changed down found themselves at a disadvantage and changed back up. The skippers from Ayr put up a good showing considering it was their first experience of strong Buchanness conditions. During the afternoon Steve Taylor managed a win and Ian got three, Ali three.

In the last four races Ian suffered a “did not finish” due to battery problems and a fourth while Ali had a fourth and a win which sealed the event for him ahead of Ian Dundas and John Owens.

The final results were: