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Newburgh was awakened with the early bird arrivals from clubs as far as Cove, Montrose, Bardowie, Largo Bay, St Andrews and North Berwick. A lovely summer’s day attracted 19 entries for their annual Scottish Solo Traveller event, with an excellent turn out of 8 entries from the home club. The tide dictated a 1030hrs start and it was great to see the Scottish Solo Fleet could make it so early.
The wind settled to steady force 2/3 south westerly gusting 4, for Race 1. After a good start at the windward mark Derek Gibb (4766) had a commanding lead, followed by Barrie McLean (3983), Keith Milroy (4517), Graham Keir (4351) and Gordon Tosh (4212). Both Tosh and McLean gained well on the downwind legs and the first five places were changing rapidly. Both McLean and Milroy had an excellent second beat to the windward mark. At the end McLean took the honours followed by Gibb, Keir, Tosh then Milroy. Roger Horner (4460) and Gordon Scott (3817) were disappointed to find out they had been over the line early at the start and were disqualified, after sailing a good race crossing the line sixth and seventh on the water.
Race 2 was back to back with race one with the wind in the same direction but a little less gusty. Milroy and Gibb battled from the start for first and second with Keir and McLean battling it out for third and fourth. This race saw lightweights Richard Davies (4000) and Tosh fighting over fifth and sixth places. Tosh’s new Wavelength rig is really making a difference on the windward legs this year. Final places were Milroy, Gibb, Keir, McLean, Davies and Tosh.
After the close racing a well earned rest was on the cards to take on refreshments. The competitors emptied the galley kitchen of all available bacon rolls before returning to the water for Race 3. With the points very close with any one of five boats in close competition for the final places. As the final starting sequence sounded the wind died away and the fleet headed towards the windward mark in shifting conditions. As they reached the first mark it was Gibb who established a convincing lead again followed by Milroy, Keir, McLean then David Lumbard (4462) followed by Tosh. These places remained until the finish.
Thanks to all who travelled to make this a good day’s racing, with many of the final places being separated by discard positions.
The prize winners were:
1 Derek Gibb 4766; 2 Keith Milroy 4517; 3 Barrie McLean 3893; 4 Graham Keir 4351.
Silver Fleet:
10 John Cameron 4701; 11 Roger Horner 4460.
Nigel Orkney NSC 4531.
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