Scottish Series update………..Sunday morning

Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series seems with good financial planning from its sponsors to have weathered the recession with the same number of entries (160) as last year. As in IRC Class 1 when the FTSE rallied to close up in Joint second place with Local Hero from the depths of the middle of the  fleet. Even after a shrink wrapping exercise at the leeward sort of drop mark when they were seen from almost outer space. The wrapping of a Bendy 47.7 with its massive kite,  to the delight of  the entire crew of The King 40 who have almost stolen the series with their new found manners and polite after dinner chat, along with freshly created boat speed are now very well placed to win the class. Skipper Dane Ralston enthused through his overly large GRIN just slightly smaller than that of his VRO (Very Rich Owner) Allan Hogg. Who is believed to be completely over the moon with his crew’s manners and behaviour?  (Bring it on Mr Kelly) who?  With four races to go they will be hard to catch.  More King 40 headlines to come I think? read more……..

TIGHSOLIOUS 2 take it in the passage

Tighsolious 2 take it in the passage race from Inverkip to Tarbert ,on what was described as a warm up for winning, their class this week at Scottish Series. Yes, you guessed it I just couldn’t not do that headline and we of course wish them the very best of luck this week. I predict that they will have a good Series and should be sitting on about 18points and in third place on Sunday morning

Scottish Series Top Tips from Marine Blast.com

With Scottish Series just but a few days away from what by all Industry accounts maybe the last or was it second last? as we know it. I’m sure we will still turn up for Portavadie Week for a pint or two in the future. Having competed there for close to thirty years now I have seen a lot of change, mostly from the pubs that is, in my pockets in the morning, and of course by belt size. It does hold many memories both good and bad, forest fires, pubs closing when it was only 3:30 in the morning, underage drinking, some good food, some food you wouldn’t feed to your dog, but hey it was late and we were hungry. Many new comers to Tarbert will only know it with the Big Tent and of course be disappointed that it is not going to be there. I for one think that this is a brilliant idea as it makes the pubs much busier and really does create a great atmosphere in the village streets and late night drinking bars (apparently that is)? In these uncertain times its hard to know what is going to happen, and just like Peter Andre and Jordon everything may end at any time, so as Peter has done just enjoy the ride while its still there. “Order”" Order” I hear you say and we know how that story ended? Anyway I’m sure they will ”BOUNCE”  back (,)(,) more than likely on a Sunday Paper very soon. The moral of the story is enjoy what ever it is while it lasts.

Clyde Sailing Guru gets Laid

 

Wednesday night’s Club racing at Royal Rhu Yacht Club was treated to an exstavaganza of sailing skills by Clyde Guru, Jon Fitz.   While sailing the mini super yacht 4o.7 Grand Gru in 35 kts of wind, before pub drinking started, where the wind speed increased to just under 48 kts. However, during a down wind leg (pull the other one it’s not broken) and an action described by one of the after guard as being ‘a little greedy Dead down wind’, it flipped gently dipping the mast head, in the drink for what was decribed by onlookers as a fair drink without rescue service tokens. The lights still work as do the instruments at the top of the mast, but as they say in Ireland you may not be feeling £2 Grand. Oh those Chinese positions. However comment of the evening must go to one the after gaurd,” The smell of shit was in the air, why did the boom not come flying across, well because it had become the mast! Happy Daze, get well soon

Savills Kip Regatta 2009 NiJinsky ya dancer?

 

 If you had the chance to read my pre-race report and results predictions you might just have  been able to save some cash by cutting the grass instead? What is a NIJINSKY anyway? more later.

Class One or the Scottish version of Class Super Zero, had a turn out of the usual big wallets sorry boats, with a range of IRC machines in class BIG. There was no shock for me anyway and the results were I have to say issued prior to the race on Friday by Marine Blast (just because I write it doesn’t mean you have to actually finish in that order) what strikes me is the massive how shall we say it, “difference” in a collection of IRC racers. Correct me if I’m wrong, as I’m sure you will do? But are we, and this is just an observation which spreads through the classes a little, but are we just taking really fast  boats and making them slow in an attempt to get a very low handicap? With a mixture of old boats and new boats in the fleet it was the Oldest boat with the most improvments carried out that “won the class easily”,  as they were heard to say from the direction of Local Hero 692 or something of that number. So an excellent buy for someone looking for a very quick IRC race boat with a stunning race record. Sort of starter pack IRC racing without the need for a few spare wallets, or for a big shed full of cash?

Class Two, was scooped by the Tanit Boys ( they like to be called that) with a tight score line in difficult conditions, they did say that they sailed “brillantly together” and are thinking of doing the Fastnet again. Chris Bonnar’s Bateleur 97 getting back to winning ways with what I thought was a mis-print in third place ‘Grand Gru’ prob suprising themselves with a bullet (they said a big bullet) on the Sunday. Much thanks must go to their new Quantum Sails in the face of a recession was a bold move that has paid off for them.  In fact those sails must be good right enough.

Class Three, Well what is a NiJinsky?  well on this site and if you were in class 3 it’s a pain in the arse, however if your into culture as we are at Marine Blast you will know that “Nijinsky” was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer of Polish descent. ‘Nijinsky’ was one of the most gifted dancers in history. So surely it must mean something else to you, because you woulldn’t call your boat after a ballet dancer would you? well not in Scotland anyway. So expect some fancy dancing at Tarbert from second placed ‘Carmen 2′ who unlike a ballet dancer will not take it lying down.

All in all it was a credit to the race officers for actually getting some races in on both days. For a bigger picture of this event checkout Clyde Sailing plus lots of race photos from this talented Photographer he said.

Savills RWYC Kip Regatta (this weekend)

Photo Credit (when I find the guys name)

Savills the Global estate agents who have sponsored the recession proof Kip Regatta on the Clyde with great sucess through the years have cashed in on the long termness of their commitment to the event with this year seeing the largest rise in entries to new record levels. It’s a great practice regatta for Scottish Series, for those who need it that is, and there are plenty among the entry list who do. 

 Class One, (the smallest class as we speak with five entries) could be won by ‘Local (Geoffrey) Hero’, ‘Playing FTSE’, or ‘Argie Bargie’ with a 16mph forecast on Saturday and 6mph for Sunday I would have to say ‘Local’ to win folowed by ‘FTSE’ with ‘Argie (Rock Star Cental) Bargie’ 3rd but all that could change if they take their ego calming tablets in time.

Class Two looks like a well competitive class with much talent throughout the fleet, winners could be “The Men of Arran”sailing ‘Sloop John T’ or ‘Animal’, I would have to say that ‘Animal’ owned by the guy with the nice wife could win this class over ‘Sloop JT’ as there is a overnight stay involved, but it will be close with third going to something under the 40ft mark.

Class Three is always a tough one with the long term partnership of Scutt & Jefferies (now both Married) no not to each other, but ’still game’ sailing Carmen 2, also the very new (don’t even think it has arrived yet, Archambault A31 which will no doubt be named something to do with GIN? How about “Take it on the Gin” you’re right, just add water, that will be the Tonic. Also out to do some damage will be the two J109’s, with their child sized head sails which will be powerful on Saturday in a breeze, but they will struggle on the Sunday with 6mph winds on long courses and super strong tides combined with extra water volume off the hills. So for the win I’m going for ‘Camen 2′ for their experience in the Clyde and constant podium positions with a J109 in Second followed by the Elan 333 or the A31.

Sports Boats Class could be won by one of the one’s that have entered as I don’t have a clue about this class, as I’m too big to sail in it, but here goes to win SB3, 2nd 1720 and Third a Hunter 707 as no-one should ever name their boat Haggis and the Sonar isn,t really a Boat sorry Sports Boat.

Class 4 is like vegetable soup so just pick your ticket, but could say either Misjif as it is well sailed and properly prepared (had its antifoul removed) but will stuggle against the Sigma 33 and Elan, but that could be the top three.

The Sonata’s could go anyway but I will say ‘Wicked Wookie’ to win. The introduction of the Flying Fifteen class this year is just what that class needed to get them out of the Home of One Design Racing on the Clyde (The Holy Loch Sailing Club) so just sail down the Loch and turn right down the Clyde till you see a big Chimney on your left and lots of boats, head for that space and your there. Anyway what I can say is who will not win the FF class due to being run over by a Piper One Design last night just before the start (tough little boats these) no not the FF that could be a write off, so tough break ‘Nae Fear’, this could be won by ‘Riff Raff ‘ who have been off the pace for much of the time, but with some good guys missing from the class may be in with a shout, ‘Woffle’ has also found some form recently but I would have to go with ‘FFunky Chicken’ to win.

For some proper infomation on this event and a entry list checkout the Clyde Sailing web site ……

May Bank Holiday COWES Vid update

This team even although they are English (very) do seem to produce the most excellent videos on the water, I have to say. Even with me being Scottish and no real chip on each shoulder, and who still shys away from even going down south just incase I start something with them English, sorry got carried away there. Anyway they do a great job and I don’t really need sub titles to understand what they are saying…check it out