COMPETITIVE racing continued at Toward Seasports Club over the weekend, with sailors tackling changing conditions in both the Arran 4 pursuit race and the first of the seasons longer keelboat races around Cumbrae.
The weeks Arran 4 race was held in a stiff south-easterly breeze, with gusts reaching 21 knots, and race organisers selected Course six for the fleet.
As is traditional in the pursuit format, the optimists were first away, with two young sailors taking to the water before two toppers crossed the line ten minutes later. The two keelboats joined the race around 20 minutes after the initial start.
The young crews in the optimists handled the swell impressively, making steady progress despite briefly taking the wrong course route before correcting themselves. The toppers also enjoyed a strong race, with one leading for much of the event before a momentary lapse saw the sailor head for the wrong mark, allowing Saorsa to move through.
Saorsa, sailed by A. Finlay, went on to claim victory, overtaking the final topper with just four minutes remaining. T. McCrossan finished second in the topper, while A. Marshall took third aboard Parallel Motion.
Saturday brought the first of the clubs longer keelboat races of the season, with crews setting off on the round-Cumbrae course.
A gentle breeze greeted the fleet at the start, with the slower handicap boats setting off an hour before the faster group. Conditions then changed dramatically as the north-easterly breeze faded completely, leaving crews waiting to see what would develop.
The wind soon returned from the south, allowing the race to continue as boats rounded the southern tip of Cumbrae before heading back up the straight. With the breeze funnelling behind them, crews enjoyed ideal downwind conditions and the opportunity to hoist spinnakers for the run back to Toward.
Saorsa completed another successful outing to take first place overall, with Kraken, sailed by M. Johnston, second and Parallel Motion third. In the slow handicap section, Marianna, skippered by A. Kerr, claimed first place.
Club members described it as another excellent weekend on the water, with enjoyable sailing despite the changing conditions.
