Musto Skiff Open at Chanonry Sailing Club
by Kevin Holliday 4 Aug 2014 19:26 NZST
2-3 August 2014
The growing MPS class of Chanonry Sailing Club on the Moray Firth were encouraged in the annual club regatta with a class start and a windward leeward course. Injuries, mishaps and perhaps distance diminished the number of visitors but five club boats were joined by Jono Shelley from Aberdeen who dominated and proved a worthy winner.
Saturday dawned with the dinghy park sheltered in a deceivingly light easterly. However, a mile away over Skate Bank an initial fifteen knots rose throughout the afternoon, with flat water on the sheltered side of the sheltering spit. Jono was lapping in less than 12 minutes on a tight course which rewarded good boat handling. Hull inspections abounded, and ground was gained and lost on hairy leeward mark roundings, with Kevin Holliday consistent in his ability to sail past with the kite not yet bagged. Ian Morton, showing good downwind speed, made the best efforts in chasing Jono, while John Bailey demonstrated a masterclass in keeping clear of trouble on the start line and excelled in the lighter winds on Sunday. In his first season in the class, Michael Gough impressed. Sunday's lighter 12-15 knots proved more to the liking of Ben Yeats.
All six races were done and dusted by Sunday lunchtime, with rapid race turnaround by Jack Evans managing the race course efficiently.
All in all, Chanonry sailing at its best- off the shore, in the good winds, benefitting from the protection of the Ness. The weekend was settled with a discussion in the bar- more of the same, more often please!
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