Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

Sailability Scotland SCIO T3 & SOCC at Loch Venachar Sailing Club

by Dik Toulson 12 Jun 2019 12:51 UTC 8-9 June 2019
Sailability Scotland SCIO T3 Challenger Open at Loch Venachar © Dik Toulson

The third regatta in our traveller series took place over the weekend of 8/9 June 2019. It also included the Scottish Open Challenger Championship and the event was hosted by Loch Venachar Sailing Club near Callander.

The boats began arriving on the Friday afternoon and were prepared for racing. The SOCC event attracts more Challengers than usual and some boats even made their way up from England. It was going to be a busy weekend for the foreshore volunteers and those on kitchen duties. Thanks must be given to these unsung heroes for doing such a great job all weekend.

As we all know, we are victims of the weather, and when all you want is a steady breeze but you get virtually no wind, you know it is going to be a long day on the water. It is lucky to be sailing in such nice surroundings and it lets you think about what you need to be doing to try and move forwards.

Race one was a slow start to the first mark, and then a painfully slower leg to the second mark and the race was shortened after about an hour before 1 complete lap had been completed. But as we also know, the cream always rises to the top, and the 'winner' of the first race was Duncan Greenhalgh.

After lunch, we launched again, and the excitement of seeing flags move was indeed a false promise. No wind again and the fleet was split into two, a small group managed to get to the second mark and the rest left behind struggling to move in a forwards direction. The race was again shortened with David Driffill from England taking the race win. No sooner was it called off a constant breeze came in.

The third and final race of the first day had wind and the Challengers moved. Thank goodness. The wind was shifty and gusty, and there were periods of slowness followed by moments of acceleration and speed. It was David Driffill that took the spoils of that race again.

Loch Venachar Sailing Club up held their reputation by supplying a free evening meal for all the competitors and helpers in the clubhouse. Conversation was rife with everyone's spills and gains during the days sailing. A tired bunch of sailors retired, looking forwards to Sunday sailing with the promise for better wind forecast.

Sunday morning dawned with the loch looking like a mirror with mist hanging around the hills, very atmospheric and scenic for any photographers but a nightmare view for sailors. The RYA Transition Youth Squad started planning shore work and a few hopeful Challengers started to rig sails more in hope than expectations. However right on cue a force 2/3 breeze came creeping down the water from the west to stay for the duration for the days racing. Except a shift to the south from the clubhouse routed the breeze over the hills and trees, yes you guessed right, shifty and big windless holes along the lee shore where most of the course was positioned, making for some interesting sailing.

Unfortunately the fleet was reduced by 2 boats overnight, result of an unfortunate accident meaning the 2 English visitors from Ogston SC planned to make an early start for the long journey home. In spite of only sailing Saturday Chris Keats Hannan managed to accrue enough point to win the silver fleet trophy, congratulations and hope you make a speedy recovery. Travelling companion David Driffill favourite for the Championship unfortunately missed out, better luck next time.

Race 4 started with the fleet massed at the pin end planning a quick tack on to port and fetch the first mark this is almost where the race was decided with first few boats round got an unassailable lead, Duncan Greenhalgh led until the last buoy when the wind decided to favour Alex Hodge who got through to take the race. Closely following the first 2 boats John McPartlin came in 3rd to made his weekend.

Race 5 was sailed around the same course in perhaps a slightly steadier breeze, same orders applied first round the pin had a big advantage and again Duncan Greenhalgh got a flier and wasn't challenged until the final gun and enough to take the Scottish Challenger Championship honours. The battle for other the places continued right to the end with Keith Wilson taking 2nd in the race but not enough to beat Alex Hodge in 3rd to take the Championship runners up place.

There were two fleets sailing, Gold for the experienced sailors and Silver for novices. There we no Bronze fleet sailors who require a buddy taking part.

Overall Results:

Gold Fleet
1st Duncan Greenhalgh
2nd Alex Hodge
3rd Keith Wilson

Silver Fleet
1st Chris Keats-Hannan
2nd Dik Toulson
3rd Jim Donaldson

For a full set of results please visit www.sailabilityscotland.org.uk. The Challenger boat is a stable and fun boat to sail for the solo sailor. Please visit our website for more information or contact us via . Our next regatta is 3/4 August and hosted by Loch Earn SC.

Related Articles

UK Challenger Championships at Rutland
The wind began with a lively F5 gusting F7/8 Sixteen Challengers gathered at Rutland Sailing Club for the 2024 UK Open Challenger Championship on Friday 27 September. Unfortunately "gathering" was all they were going to do that day. Posted on 1 Oct
Challengers at Ogston
Club kindly arrange boats to loan 4 of the visiting helms Usually the Challenger Open at Ogston SC is part of their general handicap event. However, this year the dates didn't work and Dave Driffill generously organised a special Challenger Open for us. Posted on 9 Sep
Challenger Travellers at Loch Earn
"Proper Scottish sailing," they said The strong winds forecast for Saturday 24th did not disappoint. The Westerly wind bounced down the Loch bringing gusts of up to 30mph. This proved to be ideal, with exciting, Challenger sailing, but the shifts demanding concentration from all sailors. Posted on 29 Aug
Scottish Open Challenger Championship
A great turnout at Loch Venachar Sailing Club On Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th August ten Challengers entered the SOCC hosted by Loch Venachar Sailing Club. A great turn out with competitors travelling from far and wide to sail in the heart of the Trossachs in Central Scotland. Posted on 11 Aug
Welsh Open Challenger Championship
For the first time in some years, the visitors were joined by the two local boats Five Challengers travelled to Llyn Brenig for the Welsh Open Challenger Championship. Most had rather trying journeys, especially the two sailors coming from the north. For the first time in some years, the visitors were joined by the two local boats. Posted on 23 Jul
English Open Challenger Championship
Another very successful event at Scaling Dam After a very successful event at Scaling Dam Sailing and Watersports Club in 2023 the Challengers returned in 2024 for the English Open Challenger Championship. Posted on 4 Jun
WISH SC Open Challenger Event
Six Challengers representing five clubs race at Wigan and St Helens SC After a very successful Challenger event WISH (Wigan and St Helens) Sailing Club in 2023 the Challengers returned for the weekend 18-19 May. Posted on 22 May
Challenger Travellers at Castle Semple
Launched on Saturday more in the hope than expectation of racing Seven Challengers raced at Castle Semple SC during the weekend 4-5 May. Chi Chian Wu was kindly loaned one of the Challengers based at Castle Semple SC and Lynn Steward of Wigan and St Helens SC borrowed a Sailability Scotland boat. Posted on 8 May
Challenger Coaching Weekend at Rutland
Led by Brett Cokayne, the RYA's National Sailability Developer The weekend 27-28 April saw the first Challenger event of the season. It was a coaching weekend led by Brett Cokayne, the RYA's National Sailability Developer. On Sunday Brett was joined by Andy Gordon of Scaling Dam. Posted on 1 May
Purple patch at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show
Clear the 'in' colour for sailors in 2024 Sailing fashion is a fickle thing, one minute yellow is all the rage, then red, then orange. In 2024 it was most definitely the colour purple. Posted on 26 Feb
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 S600 FOOTER