Marblehead 2012 GAMES 4 Event – Ayr Bay – Saturday 26th May 2012

Report by Gordon Neil    Score Sheet

A fantastic days sailing at the Beach Park Pond, Irvine hosted by Ayr Bay Model Yacht Club. Ten skippers participated in this, the fourth GAMES (Guildford Administered Marblehead Event Series) to be held this year:

Hugh McAdoo – Prime Number
Robert Rooney – Whisper
John Mathieson – Wafer
Patrick Johnston – Remix
Gordon Neil – Tempest
Gordon Winton – Buzzbee
Gordon Rae – Rok
Ian Gordon – Perseverance
Alasdair McLaughlan – Scalpel
Norman McDonald – Archer

The RO for the day was Ken Hathaway assisted by Billy Lees. The weather was perfect for the occasion with an Easterly wind fluctuating in strength between 14 and 24 mph, backing and veering throughout the day, making sail selection to suit the conditions, and prompt reactions, absolutely critical. Top suite A down to the C1 rig was demanded.

A total of twelve races were completed, with very close racing initially between Robert Rooney, Hugh McAdoo, John Mathieson and Pat Johnston. After four races Hugh McAdoo was leading the fleet with 8pts, followed by John Mathieson, 12pts, sailing very well, Pat Johnston with 13pts and Robert Rooney with 18pts, having missed the first race. Attrition ate into the number of boats competing, probably as a result of the boats not having been used for some time, with latent installation defects coming to the fore :
John Mathieson out after race 5 (winch burnt out)
Gordon Rae effectively out after race 2 (fittings problem)
Gordon Winton out after race 2 (winch stripped)
Pat Johnston out after race 6 (winch pulled out)

Robert Rooney achieved his first of five first places in race 2 when the battle for 1st place overall commenced in earnest between him and Hugh McAdoo, who would take six 1st places in the days racing. This tussle was a demonstration of tactical, strategic, and technical racing which was an education to watch, with Hugh McAdoo taking 1st place overall with 15pts to Roberts 16pts. If only Robert had not missed the first race! Alasdair McLaughlan and Gordon Neil had fun chasing after the 3rd and 4th places, with Gordon’s much older “Tempest” generally showing good performance downwind but unable to effectively compete upwind. Alasdair took 3rd place with 40 pts to Gordon’s 43pts. Ian Gordon in a very old design consistently sailed the course and was rewarded by being placed 6th overall. Perseverance and staying the course does pay dividends. The old adage is still very true : “If you want to finish first, first you have to finish!”