HD Sailing Scottish Solo Travellers at Newburgh Sailing Club

Scottish Solo Travellers at Newburgh © Angus Beyts

After the previous event in the HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers on the wide expanse of Loch Lomond the Scottish Solo fleet came to Newburgh Sailing Club.

This small club is on the banks of the river Tay east of Perth and conditions are completely different to anywhere else we sail in Scotland. The main channel is under 100m wide and there is a big mudbank in the middle of the river only covered at high water with reed beds on the other side of the river. Two races are held before high water then a short break and the final race sailed on the ebb. The wind is always very shifty and you can never relax!

Numbers were down due to a number of sailors taking part in the 7o7 Nationals at port Edgar but those who travelled were joined by four local boats.

Scottish Solo Travellers at Newburgh - photo © Angus Beyts

For the first race the wind was mostly a F2/3 from the west with some stronger gusts. The wind was far enough round to the west that there was a good beat to the first mark and the outer end was favoured. Ross Watson started at the buoy with Alistair Stevenson below him. With the tide under us in the main channel it was surprisingly choppy for the first part of the beat. Alistair tacked onto port into calmer water but a little less tide. As we neared the mark it was close between him and Ross, who just manged to cross ahead and lead round the mark. Down the long run on the other side of the river the adverse tide was not great and the direct course paid. The first two boats were initially a bit unsure which mark was to be rounded but made no mistakes as they pulled clear of the others. The short reach to the leeward mark was tight but there was enough wind to plane. The first two positions were maintained to the end of what was a two lap race. Robert Signer held onto third place ahead of Malcom Worsley.

The course was the same for the second race but the wind has shifted round to the south and was certainly stronger in the gusts. The first mark could now be laid from anywhere along the start line with the decision being where to get the fastest reaching angle. High water was now less than an hour away so the tidal influence was less important. Simon Richards gave those ashore some entertainment by capsizing just off the shore. In the event starting at the outer end paid off and Ross Watson led round the top mark and headed downwind. This time the fastest course was very different. Malcolm Worsley rounded in mid fleet and headed right over to the reeds and seemed to carry his own personal gust all the way to the leeward mark, ending up 50 yards in front! He defended this lead well for the rest of the race and Ross was never able to get close enough to threaten. Alistair again went well and came in third after passing a few boats at the end of the first round.

Scottish Solo Travellers at Newburgh - photo © Angus Beyts

The fleet now headed ashore for a quick cuppa and a rest until John Cameron announced that the five minute gun would be in five minutes and we all rushed to launch. The course and wind were different with a 'W' shaped course giving a variety of downwind legs. The wind had eased to a F2 but was still shifty. The tide had now started ebbing which was another consideration. Starting inshore just off the race box meant more adverse tide but it was difficult to know how far out to start. Ross again started right at the outer end with Malcolm just inside him. As they approached the first mark Malcolm had been lifted above Ross who just failed to lay the mark. His two tacks dropped him behind Robert Taylor and Robert Signer as they started the downwind legs with Malcolm in front. As they approached the leeward mark the group of three were overlapped with Robert Taylo on the insider. The leg to the last mark was tricky as it could not be laid in one. The question was did you tack on the shifts or ignore the wind and head for weaker tide? Malcolm was ahead at the end of the first round but went too far into the main channel and lost some ground. Ross had got ahead by the first mark but it was close. There was no shorten course after two rounds and a narrow lead would have to be defended for a third round. On the final round Malcolm almost got an overlap at the bottom mark but Ross just round inside. On the next leg with Malcolm below him the wind headed steadily forcing Ross to tack away. This put Malcolm a length above Ross on the short beat to the finish. The wind again headed benefiting Ross this time but he was too close to tack until he touched the mudbank and called for water. Malcolm kept clear and touched the bottom himself as he bore away. It was a race to the line only thirty yards away but Ross just managed to cross two lengths ahead. It was pretty intense racing proving again that you can never relax sailing at Newburgh! Steadily improving as the day progressed, Robert Taylor finished just behind the leading two.

By crossing ahead Ross Watson had won the latest event in the HD Sails Scottish Solo travellers series. Malcolm Worsley was second with Alistair Stevenson a good third in his first season in the Solo. The prize-giving was held promptly whilst the boats were being packed away and the results were emailed to me at the same time! Thanks to all at the club once again especially John Cameron in the race box and Beth who was in the rescue boat and then helped haul every boat up the steep slipway.

Scottish Solo Travellers at Newburgh - photo © Angus Beyts

The next event is the HD Sails Scottish Solo Championships at Largo Bay on August 31/September 1. This is a classic sea sailing venue and we look forward to completely different sailing conditions at a club with lots of experience in running events. The home fleet are going to be sailing and we expect a good turnout.

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