Results / Open Loch Tummel SC - 16/06/2012

Another balmy Scottish summers day greeted the 13 boats at Loch Tummel for the 3rd circuit event of the year on Saturday 16th June , with a temperature of 8 degrees and light north easterly wind blowing over the mountains to make life hard for the race officer. Race 1 was shifty up the first beat with large changes in pressure. Fiona Ferguson and Wendy Jubb sailing "It's definitely not for sale" emerged from the right of the beat and were never caught. The chasing pack had a good tussle, with Jim Sinclair and Tom Watson taking second from Mark and Bec Barron.

The wind picked up just after the start of Race 2 making the course fairly short. Jim and Tom were a bit early at the port end and then managed to get holed on a starboard layline and unfortunately had to retire from the regatta after the race. Stewart and Sarah Robertson shook off the hangover to take the bullet from Team Barron with father and son Richard and Patrick Shellcock shaping up well in third place.

After a fantastic lunch served up by the army of kitchen ladies, Race 3 and an individual recall saw a few boats head back to try again.  The longer course allowed more tactical options but there were a few holes waiting to swallow unsuspecting boats. Team Barron picked their way back to take the bullet from Stuart and Richard Urquhart with Keith Bedborough and the long suffering Martin S McCrew in third.

Race 4 was similar with snakes and ladders being played by most of the fleet at times. The Robertsons showed their class again to take the bullet from Keith and Martin and the consistent Shellcocks looking slicker and slicker in third.

Race 5 was looking very light, but the wind filled in before the start. The Urquharts were the first to get onto port off the line and took the early lead with the Robertsons and Barrons in hot pursuit. The 3 traded places until the Robertsons took their third bullet and the Barrons held off the Urquharts at the finish. The rest of the fleet proceeded to line up bow to transom in a Jubilee River Pageant style across the finish line to give the race officer a headache to work out the results.

Overall, another great Scottish 400 event, very close racing , very hard work for the brains and great to see all 4 home Tummel boats on the water this year. A big thank you to LTSC for dealing with the difficult conditions , hosting a great post match BBQ and providing some very special cakes at lunchtime. Also thanks to circuit sponsors JP watersports / DH Systems / Stewart Brewing ,  and to Keith ‘unsung hero’ Bedborough whose hard work has made the 400 circuit the place to be in Scotland this season.