North East Clubs 2005 Early Series Summary report

The North East Clubs winter series continued over February, March and April 2005 with events held at Buchanness, Aberdeen and Brechin.

This winter series was set up last year as a means to encourage new members to take part in larger fleet racing during the winter period and hopefully to go on to take part in the IOM Scottish Travellers in the summer. The RYGG handicap system is used and it was good to see close finishes between all levels of experience and for some skippers to improve their handicap over the winter.

Turnouts averaged 10 boats and a total of 21 skippers took part in the series. This was up from the 15 who took part in the late 2004 series in October, November and December.

Peterhead
The first event took place in Peterhead with a wild and windy forecast. However as we have often seen the weather did not
materialize and a good day was enjoyed be those who made the effort to go North. No2 Rig was used over the day although some skippers did attempt No1 and even No3 Rig at times.

Ali Law at his local; club again showed the way scoring 25 points ahead of Bill Reid and Ian Dundas who finished equal on 32
points – Bill taking the second place on count back.

Aberdeen
At the second event in Aberdeen it was also sailed with No2 rigs in a brisk North Westerly. A violent hail storm arrived during
race 3 which threatened the event but luckily this passed through reasonably quickly and after a short break to allow skippers to get feeling back into their hands racing continued under clear skies and steady winds.

15 Races were held around an Olympic style course. Interestingly scratch sailors won 8 races but Handicap sailors won 7 between them. Ali Law again came out on top with Ian Dundas second and Bill Reid continuing his good showing with a third using the club TS2.

Brechin
The last event held at Brechin on 10th April saw a good turnout from the local club but there was also a visitor from Paisley.
Ali Law volunteered to be OOD. Richard Rowan sailed his Italiko well to take first place ahead of Boyd Baird sailing an Isis and Colin Brown sailing his new Italiko.