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The forecast strong winds were missing when thirteen competing Solo helms rigged for action at Montrose on the 7th May.
North West winds are noted for their squalls and the first of the day had perfect timing arriving ten minutes into
the first race.
Race officer Jim Penman set the fleet off in a force four North Westerly and Jim Sinclair of East Lothian YC claimed the
pin end on the gun and set off up the beat closely followed by Craig Moffett of Loch Earn SC.
The wind had increased by the windward mark and a tight reach in the freshening breeze saw the leading group of four
ease away from the rest of the fleet. A broad reach into the incoming tide began to test the survival skills of many
of the competitors but Jim and Craig showed their class by match racing round the gybe mark and down the last reach.
As the squall increased to over thirty knots the race was shortened to one lap and Jim and Craig finished in a welter
of spray separated in time by only one second. Racing was not so tight in the rest of the fleet as the majority
concentrated on improving their capsize drills in the strong winds and square waves created by the incoming tide.
A bruised and battered fleet retired to the shore and whilst the squall passed its successors could be seen massing
over the hills to the north. The decision to cancel racing for the rest of the day was not disputed by any of the fleet
and the competitors indulged in the excellent fayre from one of the best priced galleys in Scotland as they unrigged
their boats and thought of the next Travellers event at Newburgh in two weeks time.
 1st Jim Sinclair, East Lothian YC
2nd Craig Moffett, Loch Earn SC
3rd Robbie Wilson, Largo Bay SC
4th John Graham, Montrose SC
Alistair Angus #4474
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