Scottish Championship Largo Bay 07,08-July-2007

A rather reduced fleet of just 15 Solos arrived for the Scottish Championships hosted this year by Largo Bay Sailing Club: one of the absentees was reigning champion Chris Brown unable to attend for personal reasons. The conditions appeared to be brisk with a good force 3-4 south westerly in bright sunshine, something not seen here for almost 8 weeks, and a lumpy sea which was to provide some challenges. After briefing the competitors, race Officer Gordon McGeorge, quickly got things moving and a good start was made by the fleet with Geoff Henstridge (Pentland Firth YC) leading the way until overtaken by Kevan Gibb (Largo Bay SC) who took the first race by a number of lengths. Richard Bolton East Lothian YC) took a good third but Micky Todd (Largo Bay SC) who was also going well, was pipped on the line by Ali Gordon (CCC Baldowie). Race 2 was the other way round with Gibb leading initially but being passed by Henstridge on the first downwind leg, who then consolidated his lead well. The last race of the day saw the fleet cut in half as 7 boats opted for the beach as the wind swung a little north making conditions trickier and there were a few capsizes. Gibb got away from everybody with the pursuing Henstridge ruining his day by failing to go through the finish line on the first lap and being disqualified. Todd required assistance at a capsize and retired leaving Barrie McLean (Loch Ard SC) to take second with Bolton third. Kevan Gibb lead overnight.

Sunday had more wind and quite a heavy sea and breakfast in the clubhouse showed only seven hardy souls remained to tackle these conditions. Henstridge, eager to make up for a disappointing third race, was quickly into the lead gaining a first and forcing Gibb into second and in race five was also going well. Some tactical manoeuvering took place with Gibb forcing Henstridge wide at the windward mark so he lost some places with Micky Todd taking advantage of the competition to slip into first spot. Gibb managed to hold on to second but Henstridge has to settle for fifth with Bolton taking a well earned third. Gibb’s result in race five gave him the championship as Henstridge needed his discard for race three so it was a competition for second place. Henstridge and Bolton were gunwale to gunwale at the windward mark with Mick Todd forcing Gibb into fourth. Things remained unchanged after the gybe with Henstridge extending his lead but on the next lap Gibb got through to second with Micky Todd jousting with Richard Boulton for overall third. There was no stopping Henstridge who went on to a good first with Gibb second but Todd managed to claim third spot pushing Bolton into fourth. Todd and Bolton finished the series on the same points but Todd took overall third by his better place in the last race.

1: Kevan Gibb #4745, LargoBaySC;
2: Geoff Henstridge #4572, PentlandFirthYC;
3: Micky Todd, #4766, LargoBaySC;
4: Richard Bolton #4625, EastLothianYC;
5: Keith Milroy, #4517, EastLothianYC.