From Alison Chadwick
WITH strong winds gusting 37 knots, Clyde Corinthian Yacht
Club’s Round Shuna Pursuit Race proved a testing ‘blast’ for all competitors.
Many opted to remain in the shelter of Craobh but for those
who braved the conditions it was a fast pursuit with Colin Crawford’s Dehler 35
Nimrod from Oban Sailing Club first over the line in the 30-strong fleet. Nimod
lifted the prized case of bubbly and the Camus Trophy.
Pursuit races see yachts leave according to handicap with
the theory they all finish together. Competitors in the Round Shuna can decide
which way to circumnavigate. This year’s favoured option was north about and
close behind Colin in Class 1 was Joey
Gough’s Tangle o’ the Isles, also from Oban. Stewart and Dorothy Ritchie’s Contest 41 Anna
Mae from Salen, Loch Sunart, was third.
Class 2 was won by Brian Wiseman’s Storm 33 Sorr of Appin
with the conditions befitting the Westerly Storm. Brian and team also won the
feeder race from Ardfern the previous day and so lifted the top prize for the
whole weekend and the Craobh Haven Challenge Cup.
Alistair Pugh’s Contessa 32 Marisca was second in Class 2 sailing
just two up and Donald Smith’s Maxi Tilty Too third. Alison Chadwick’s Hot
Toddy took Class 3 from Hamish Whyte’s Elizabethan 30 in second and Alan
Manson’s Cutlas 27 Dark Islander third. Alan also lifted the Brendan Bucket for
the last boat home.
Several Flying Fifteens were forced to retire in the strong
winds but Clive Brown’s Ffaolcuain and David Attwood’s Okey Dokey kept their
cool crossing the line in first and second position respectively. With a better
amalgamated score David won the Craignish Sailing Club Trophy for the best
performance from a Flying Fifteen for the weekend. Andrew Chapman made a brave
effort to sail his full rig Laser in the stormy conditions but a broken boom at
the north end of Shuna ended his chances of not only being the only dinghy out
but regaining his dinghy trophy of last year.
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| Round Shuna Race 2015 winners collect their trophy's. |
Oban and Ardfern Feeder Races
With a long beat for the Oban boats Eric Chapman and team
found form to win the feeder from Billy Forteith’s Shadowfax. Hot Toddy was
third. The Ardfern race saw a mix of conditions and Sorr of Appin took the
honours from Alan Gent White’s sloop An Sulaire. Donald Smith’s Tilty Too was
third. David Attwood’s Okey Dokey won the Flying Fifteen Class from Brian
Johnston’s Reckless and Russell Anderson’s Toff in third place.
Despite a much reduced fleet due to the inclement weather
the weekend was a great success. Commodore Kenny Macdonald
thanked everyone for competing in the challenging conditions. Kenny
commented that it was unfortunate that some entrants did not manage to start
Sunday's race and that some who did were unable to finish. For everyone else
the warm sunshine and strong winds brought a good day's sailing in what
continues to be the Club's most important event of the sailing calendar.
