Conditions looked very inauspicious on Saturday 25th when we arrived at Prestwick SC for a traveller event jointly with the Solo fleet.
For some days the forecast had been for strong westerly winds which can cause problems with the west facing beach meaning reduced entry for both fleets. Clubs from the north Yorkshire to NE Scotland were represented. On arrival it was raining heavily, the wind at the adjacent airport was still 22mph from the west and the heavy surf started breaking about 150m offshore. Most of us thought we wouldn't be sailing. At the briefing Neil the PRO confidently predicted that after a 30 minute postponement the wind would have dropped enough and the outgoing tide would cause the surf to reduce enough to go racing! They then sent one of the rescue team to wade out through the surf to see if this was correct.
When we launched though the wind had dropped the surf was still high. 4 of 5 Streakers tried to launch, Prestwick member Ian thought better of this. Katie tried twice but just couldn't get through the breakers. Only 5 of 9 Solos managed to get launched. After getting through the surf we were all full of water but the bailers soon sorted this.
Race 1. Triangle sausage. The wind was now around 12-14mph though with a steep and high chop. All 3 started close together with a long beat of probably 1 km ahead. At the windward mark David (Aberdeen & Stonehaven) lead Barney (Craven YC) by about 50m with Michael (Loch Ryan) a similar distance behind. There were no real changes after this.
Race 2. Triangle, sausage, triangle. Just before the start the wind increased significantly to 18+ mph with rapid increase in wave height. Michael decided to go in just before the start. David being used to these conditions in the North Sea had a good lead from Barney at the windward mark which he kept down the very fast reach. Complacency then set in as he decided to tack round in a big gust which allowed Barney to use the gust to catch up and successfully gybe as the gust passed. The next reach was neck and neck with Barney getting water at the mark. David had to tack to get clear wind but at the next cross was 20m ahead. This margin then extending for the rest of the race. The run was one long surf keeping both on their toes. David took the win. They then decided to miss race 3 as there was nothing riding on it and much trepidation about getting back in. The committee boat helpfully radioed the shore team and the streaker gang who were ashore waded in and caught us safely. The streakers should have stayed out as by the time the solos returned after 3 races the surf had gone down significantly as the tide went out further.
Prestwick SC should be congratulated on putting on racing in marginal conditions when canning the day would have been an easy option.
We now have a 6 week break until the next traveller at Loch Tummel on September 12th.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 Pts
1st 2242 David Parkin Aberdeen and Stonehaven SC 1st 1st 2
2nd 1750 Barney Proud Craven SC 2nd 2nd 4
3rd 1843 Michael Broadbent Loch Ryan SC 3rd DNC 9
4th 1912 Ian Collins Prestwick DNC DNC 12
4th 2112 Katie Masterson St Mary's Loch SC DNC DNC 12
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