Results / RS200 Scottish Series Finale Loch Tummel - 08/10/2005
Loch Tummel held the final event of the RS200 Scottish Series. The main
battle was between Ronnie Millar and Robbie Burns, with Burns requiring a
top 3 finish to secure the Series.
As the cars drove up from the eastern end of the loch, what looked like a
gentle 5 knot breeze was revealed as a 20 knot westerly with 25 knot
gusts at the west (race area) end of the loch.
Race 1 saw Millar establish an early lead which he maintained to the
finish. Sarah Meldrum showed good speed, and even better gybing ability,
to keep upright and take 2nd place, ahead of Graeme Henry, who also kept
the centreboard underwater.
Race 2, and Burns led from Millar at the windward mark, but neither have
mastered heavy weather gybing. A synchronised capsize routine at the
first gybe kept the shore spectators happy, whilst allowing Graeme Henry
to take the lead. Millar then took the lead on the next lap and stayed
upright to win from Henry, with Sarah Robertson in 3rd.
With the wind now a steady 25 knots with gusts, the fleet was sent ashore
to await calmer conditions, which failed to arise. Race 3 was postponed
to Sunday, and drinking began earlier than planned � much to Millar�s
regret.
The overall Series result appeared open on Sunday night with Burns
securing a 7th and 8th to Millar�s two 1st�s.
Sunday morning and the loch produced a westerly/north westerly/south
westerly � usually on the same leg, with strengths of 5 - 15 knots.
Burns commenced Sunday racing in an invigorating manner, securing wins in
Races 3 and 4.
Richard and Val Evans also rediscovered their normal form to appear at
the front of the fleet, but another gybing accident on Race 3 saw them
lose a 2nd place, but they secured 2nd in Race 4. Robertson again
demonstrated her consistent sailing by taking a 2nd in Race 3 and 3rd in
Race 4. Katie Masterson secured her best result of the weekend with a
3rd in Race 3.
With Millar having a 4th and 5th in the two morning races, the fleet went
ashore for lunch with the Series result now favouring Burns.
The afternoon saw similar conditions and Millar revitalised by Coke and
Nurofen.
Race 5 turned into a Millar / Burns match race at the front with the lead
changing numerous times. Millar appeared to have secured victory until
gremlins struck at the final leeward mark, and he discovered that sailing
upwind with a gennaker is not quick, even if it is only 100 yards to the
line. Burns came through to win, with Robertson leading the rest of the
fleet home in 3rd.
Some not-so-quick mental arithmetic seemed to suggest that Burns needed
to finish in the top 4 in the final race to secure the Series.
Race 6 started with Burns leading from Millar, then Robertson, at the
windward mark. A 4 lap covering match ensued, with Burns taking the race
and the Series, Millar taking 2nd and the Regatta, and Robertson 3rd in
the race and Regatta.
Overall Regatta Results.
1. Ronnie Millar and Bess Homer 10 points
2. Robbie Burns and Vicki Simpson 11 points
3. Sarah Robertson and Kate Mitchell 14 points
4. Graeme Henry and Shona Redpath 19 points
5. Sarah Meldrum and Jess Copeland 23 points
6. Richard Evans and Val Evans 26 points