wee Nip Medal Competition - Round 9

13th September 2014

Report by Mike Ewart


Nine skippers today for the September Medal Race for Wee Nips at Two Islands RYC, a slight overcast to start the day but a nice steady wind coming from the east end of the lake, a course was set with a start to a windward mark back to a gate and another windward mark through the gate off to a wing mark and to a running finish. Early on the island spilt the wind down either side of the course and reading this was imperative to a good position, up the middle was definitely not good. Later as the breeze filled in and shifted slightly more to the east  this evened the course out.
The racing was very close all day for most of the skippers with occasionally Peter Shepherd coming back from the front to join in with the rest of us, he was unfortunately imperious today. Racing progressed well with 11 races held before lunch time, it was therefore decided to run through to 2 pm this meant we did 24 races, all in very good spirits. As the day progressed a few more skippers getting a look in at the front, there were some lulls in the wind but in general an excellent days sailing in very pleasant weather.
No boats were in need of rescue and the only course change  required was to give a slightly greater bias to the Port side of the start and the downwind gate, with an  increase in the length of the course in the afternoon.

Skippers who had a notable event were Tom Steel (86) Cutty Sark finishing second, who sailed a very consistent event to bring his boat home just ahead of Alan Smedley (77) Glengoyne, just behind them and locked in battle were Peter Jackson (30) Red Rooster and Keith Jackson (28) Black Cock. Peter Jackson just managing to finish with his cock ahead.

My thanks to all the skippers for a very pleasant days sailing and it was very noticeable that one mistake took you from the front of the fleet to nearly the back a tribute to the quality of the racing.

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Well done to all the competitors on a clean well fought race meeting and in particular congratulations to Peter Shepherd who was largely untouchable today.
The next round in this competition is at Abington Park 13th September 2014