HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Prestwick Sailing Club

HD Sails Scottish Solo Travellers at Prestwick © Katie Masterson

The Scottish Solo fleet visited Prestwick Sailing Club on Saturday 25th July for the next round of their HD Sails Scottish Series and yet again, it was a windy event. This put off several potential participants and with the wind onshore at 20+ knots and producing a nasty looking shore break, it didn't seem to be the worst decision. But the forecast was to ease by start time and that is exactly what happened, leading to a great day on the water playing in the waves that Prestwick is well known for.

Race one set the scene for the day with Ian Baillie quickly taking the lead off the start line by driving over Kevan Gibb. By mark one, Ian had a small lead over Ross Watson and Kevan. The reaches were a bit roller coaster and the gybe was either very easy or very wobbly, depending on how you caught the waves. Ian opened up a gap by the leeward mark and then consolidated his lead over Ross, who was covering Kevan.

There were no changes of places downwind or on the next lap to the finish. Fourth was Neil Rosie sailing his wooden Solo that he had saved from someone's garden and renovated over last winter and fifth was Roddy Henry, who had made the trip down from Inverness to get some pre-Nationals practice. And commiserations to Stuart Gibson, who broke his kicker just as he launched, which turned out to be un-repairable. At least he'd only come from Milngavie.

Race two and Ian and Ross were very close at the top mark and rounded within a boat length. It was still as close at the gybe mark but Ian nailed his gybe while Ross got a bit wobbly and allowed Ian to open a gap. There was never much in it on the next two laps until Ian decided it was time to head to the finish line, when it wasn't the finish, letting Ross take advantage of the mistake to get into the lead. However, Ross over-stood the windward mark and Ian squeezed past, then used his downwind speed to take a second win. Kevan was third again and Roddy sailed very well into fourth ahead of Neil.

The final race and while the three leading boats were having a chat, the race officer decided to start the count down. This led to Ross missing the start by enough to put him behind the fleet. There was a bit of a left shift up the first beat, which had Neil and Roddy right on Ian's tail by the first mark. Kevan overtook Roddy on the reaches but couldn't get past Neil over the next two laps, with Ian carefully covering both of them to maintain his lead to the end.

Ian won all three races to win overall, with Ross second, Kevan third, Neil fourth and Roddy fifth. Prestwick sailing club laid on a great welcome, with particular thanks to race officer Neil Beveridge for keeping us well informed of the day's plans and to David McClay, who kept the food coming before and after sailing. Also, many thanks to our sponsors, HD Sails and Cairngorm Brewery for their support and generous prizes.