LIGHT but steady winds returned to the Holy Loch on Wednesday evening, providing near-perfect conditions for another round of racing at Holy Loch Sailing Club, with close finishes and tactical battles across all three fleets.
The Pipers, celebrating their diamond jubilee year and with their annual championships now just weeks away, produced one of the closest contests of the evening.
Five boats lined up for the start, with Andy Love’s Tamarind making the early running after edging clear by the first mark. However, the chasing pack steadily reeled in the leader on the downwind leg to Strone before Staypuff, sailed by Robert Towart, Caroline Clark and Charmaine Boyd, emerged as the boat to beat.
As the breeze faded during the closing stages, nerves were tested, but the Staypuff crew held their composure to secure victory. Iain Hurrel’s Billie Piper claimed second place after a dramatic finish with Tamarind, which was forced to complete a penalty turn following a close encounter on the finish line.
The Flying Fifteen fleet may have featured just two boats, but it still delivered an absorbing contest.
Chris and Marion Bowen aboard More Mischieff and Good Moaning, helmed by Iain Sinclair with Kirsty Brown, traded the lead throughout the race as shifting winds repeatedly changed the complexion of the contest.
More Mischieff appeared to have established a comfortable advantage on more than one occasion, only to be caught in light patches that allowed Good Moaning to close the gap. However, the Bowens found just enough pace on the final leg to pull clear and take a hard-earned victory.
The White Sail fleet enjoyed its biggest turnout of the season so far, with five boats making the start before early equipment problems forced TighSoluis 5 and Mike Honcho to retire.
That left Judicious, Moonlight and Atia to battle for the honours.
After Moonlight made the best start, Judicious, helmed by Jim Hoey with Andrew Leech, recovered strongly to build what looked like a decisive lead. A tactical gamble on the final leg almost proved costly after the leaders sailed into a calm patch near Sandbank, allowing the chasing boats to close rapidly.
Despite the late drama, Judicious held on to claim victory ahead of Atia and Moonlight.
Results
Pipers: 1, – Staypuff (Robert Towart, Caroline Clark, Charmaine Boyd); Billie Piper (Iain Hurrel, Finn Hurrel, Graeme Murray); 3, – Tamarind (Andy Love, David Bonnar); 4, – Leander (Jim Campbell, James Heggarty); 5, – Tom Piper (Duncan Munro, Stuart Brown, Ali Gordon).
Flying Fifteens: 1, – More Mischieff (Chris Bowen, Marion Bowen); 2, – Good Moaning (Iain Sinclair, Kirsty Brown).
White Sail: 1, – Judicious (J30) (Jim Hoey, Andrew Leech); 2, – Atia (UFO) (Duncan Chalmers, Ali Marshall); 3, -Moonlight (Sonata) (Nigel Scriven, Derek Webber, Chris Wilson).
