Perth Sailing Club Race Report

Perth Sailing Club Continuation of Spring Series

                Six boats took to the water on 24/5 in enjoyable summer conditions  in an easterly force 2/3 which suited the two Albacores of John Ferguson and Sandy Rodger and Bill Inches’ Firefly.  Bill Inches took the first race on handicap but a failed tiller extension kept him out of the second race of the evening.   Chris Watson in his Laser was always in contention and interesting duels developed in both races at both ends of the fleet and particularly between the two Albacores in Race 2.  The Macdonald in their Bahia got in some useful practice with their gennaker with young Fraser doing most of the helming.

                Nine boats participated in Friday evenings racing.  Conditions were fine though gusty for the first race with a force 4/5.  A slow downriver start for most boats (late on water) with a group of four away to a goodish start, Collin Fullerton leading the group around before Audrey and the Sanwells even got through.  Chris Watson pulled out the lead from Sandy and Collin with John Ferguson and Keith Fergie’s boats together.   Chris first over line followed by Collin with Sandy in 3^rd position.

                Eight boats competed in the 2^nd race of the evening, the wind having abated a little.  A much better start by all boats, John leading followed by Chris, Bob, Collin, Sandy, Hunter  and the 420 trailing rather.  First lap was between 3 lasers, Chris, Bob and Sandy then Collin in his Solo all planing upriver.  Unfortunately the top mark had drifted upriver before the race started therefore it was a longer lap.  Sandy and Collin were equal over the line for the last lap.  First over the line was Chris followed by Bob with Sandy in 3^rd position.

                On Saturday six Boats took to the water for both races. Oliver and John in the International 14 with Chris Watson in the Laser and Andrew Porteous pulled ahead of the fleet to maintain a good lead over the rest of the fleet.  Oliver and John crossed the line ahead of Chris in thr laser and Andrew in the Solo. During the second race the leading boats were caught by the wake of an out going ship causing some interesting moments.  Those at the rear of the fleet lost ground waiting for the ship to go by.

Keith Fergie in his 420 crewed by Bob Watson took advantage and finished a creditable third behind Chris in his laser and Andrew in the Solo.

                The good weather saw ten boats take to the water for Sunday’s evening races.  The light conditions with a strong incoming tide caused difficulties for all te competitors as they struggled to reach the windward mark.
Bill Inches made the best of these conditions by finishing in first place in both races. Cadet Fraser MacDonald in a club Feva made a fair job of trying to sail the course but there was insufficient wind for the Feva to make significant headway .
His father Euan sailing a laser and Martin & Gillian Howie also retired. The second race saw the fleet bunch up at the windward mark with Bob in his laser losing out as the boats sailed on by.

The Albacore helmed by Sandy and crewed by Ian came in second place with Chris Watson in his laser finishing third in both races .     

 The Club would like to thank all the visitors that visited on the Open Day.  We will be holding further Open days on the evenings of Wednesday 15^th July and August 22^nd this year. We will also be running an RYA approved training Course during June, details of which will be found on our website www.perthsailingclub.og.uk

 Results after Handicap:-                             

Thurs 24/5  Race 1: 1^st Glencoe (B. Inches) 2^nd Mirage (J. Ferguson/E. Taylor)

                                3^rd Dash (S. Rodger/A. Wood)

                  Race 2: 1^st  Mirage (J. Ferguson/E. Taylor) 2^nd Dash (S. Rodger/A. Wood)

                                 3^rd Overy Action (C. Watson)

Fri 25/5 – Race 1: 1^st Solo (C. Fullerton) 2^nd Overy Action (C. Watson) 3^rd Bareaway (J. Ferguson)

                   Race 2: 1^st Bareaway (J. Ferguson) 2^nd Solo (C. Fullerton) 3^rd Overy Action (C. Watson)

Sat 26/5   Race 1 :  1^st Whooper (A. Porteous) 2^nd Overy Action (C. Watson)

                                    3^rd Rhubarb & Custard (O. Williams/J. Ferguson)

                   Race 2 :  1^st Overy Action (C. Watson) 2^nd Whooper (A. Porteous)

                                    3^rd Blackbird (K. Fergie/B. Watson)

Sun 27/5   Race 1 :  1^st Glencoe ( B. Inches) 2^nd Rhubarb & Custard (O. Williams/J. Ferguson)

                                      3^rd Overy Action (C. Watson)

                   Race 2 :  1^st Glencoe ( B. Inches) 2^nd Dash (S. Rodger/I. Sadler)

                                      3^rd Overy Action (C. Watson)