The winners of the Scottish Nationals and the Scottish Travellers! Stuart Gibson and Brian Martin

Over the years this regatta has become an old favourite for the albacore class and Saturday's fresh  weather confirmed why many of us look forward to it for so long.
 
The first race was led off by Crawford Reid  sailing ptarmigan  closely followed by Dick Downie and Linda McMullen. Once round the windward mark the long run to the head of the loch kept the boats evenly matched,  but the wind swung around towards the s/west and what should have been a beat turned into a reach  leading to fast planes and lots of surf . Reid, sailing with local, Jennifer McWhinnie finished first ahead of Dick Downie and Linda McMullen and a very well earned third to Stuart Gibson and non sailor Brian Martin.

After a change in course, race number two got off to a good start, with Reid, Downie and Gibson all pretty much neck and neck, Gordon Scott lying fourth at this point had travelled the long road from Montrose with his new boat to experience the Polaris regatta for the first time, and after a couple of unexpected capsizes you could say he experienced more than most. Gibson eventually came off the victor at the front of the fleet with Reid second and Downie third.
 
Sunday started with a flat calm, a  postponement and a big  welcome from quite a few  crews who had sampled the clubs hospitality at the evening dance, held very appropriately in the new marina boat shed.   It wasn't too long however before the breeze did arrive and although light, was sufficient enough for Stuart Gibson to give everyone a lesson on how it should be done, opening up a substantial lead over the rest of the fleet and holding it through to the finish line. Dick Downie and Crawford Reid fought it out for the spoils. Reid lost, and was followed up by John McKelvie and George Mitchel in fourth place to make up the trio from Strathclyde Loch.

Race four started, again after some delay and with the wind veering  quite considerably, John Kennedy sailing Betty Boop was making very good progress in the light zephyrs as was Stuart Gibson before the race committee decided that enough was enough and opted for abandonment. Unfortunately, for some, this meant there was no discard and all three races would count.

Overall results
1st Stuart Gibson/Brian Martin - Sundowner - Strathclyde Loch SC  5pts
2nd Crawford Reid/Jennifer McWhinnie - Ptarmigan - Strathclyde Loch SC 6pts
3rd Dick Downie/Linda McMullen - Shadow - Royal West of Scotland ABC 7pts

Overall traveller results 2000
1st Stuart Gibson and Gavin Berry - Strathclyde Loch SC 3pts
2nd Crawford Reid and Richard Carson - Strathclyde Loch SC 4pts
3rd Dick Downie and Linda McMullen - Royal West of Scotland ABC 6pts

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Albacore Fleet the Largest at President's Cup Regatta - September 9-10, 2000

Report received from Peter Duncan

Winds - 3 to 8 mph, 19 boats

The Potomac River Sailing Association this past weekend conducted its annual President’s Cup Regatta featuring Albacores, Lightnings, and a variety of other classes including one Hampton, two Interlakes, and several Mobjacks and Flying Scots which raced in a handicap division. At 19 boats, the Albacore Class had the largest fleet. In addition to many regulars, the Albacore Fleet count was boosted by five new members out sailing boats rebuilt this season.

The five-race series took place concurrently with the Leukemia Cup regatta (Saturday only) in light wind conditions. "Keeping the boat moving in the chop, maintaining a clear lane of breeze in the wake of the Lightning fleet, and sailing to the filling wind pressure was the key to success in this regatta," according to Peter Duncan, who finished second overall.  Pile-ups at mark roundings were frequent in the light conditions. Following racing, the competitors were hosted to a barbecue and keg beer.

Current U.S. Albacore Champion Barney Harris (Arlington, VA) sailing with his wife Becky turned in a perfect series of first place finishes to lead the 19-boat Albacore fleet in the President's Cup regatta. Peter Duncan (Severna Park, MD) with Ian Duncan and Tom Fonseca took second place, winning a tiebreaker over Joanna Byron (Annapolis, MD) and crew Patty David.

In 1999 the class led all other one-design fleets at Chesapeake Bay Yacht Racing Association-sanctioned events with an average of 25 starting boats.

PRSA President’s Cup

1. Barney and Becky Harris, Arlington, VA  (3.75)  2. Peter Duncan, Ian Duncan and Tom Fonseca, Severna Park, MD (18)  3. Joanna Byron and Patty David, Annapolis, MD  (18)  4. Daphne Byron and Stephanie Strand, Silver Spring, MD (28)  5. David and Ann Rennie, Alexandria, VA (30)

Full results are available at www.geocities.com/sail-albacores

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SCOTTISH NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

The Royal Tay Yacht Club hosted an excellent Scottish National Championships for the Albacore Class in testing conditions on 15 and 16 July forming part of the East Coast Sailing Week 2000.

The event attracted entrants from Orkney and as far south as Nottingham and produced keen and competitive racing.

Olympic courses were utilised and with the wind blowing from the north force 2 on the first day, the Race Officer was forced to set a beat across the Firth and hence across a three knot incoming tide.  The first lap saw Jim Sinclair and William Howarth  leading from Stewart Gibson and Gavin Berry, following by David and Nick Hammond.  Stewart Gibson caught the leeward mark and in doing penalty turns, allowed the Hammonds through who eventually overhauled Sinclair to take first place, Sinclair second and Dick Downy/Linda McMullen third.

The second race produced results upon which the eventual outcome of the event hinged.  The wind, still blowing from the north gradually fell away to nothing as the race progressed.  Stewart Gibson who had overhauled the Hammonds and opened up a wide lead, managed to cross the finish line before being forced towards the Tay Bridge by the tide.  The Hammonds in second could not make the line and determined to retire, as it turned out, prematurely.  Five boats persevered and finished; the remainder failed to do so in time or retired.  The planned third race was abandoned and accordingly, left many boats with poor discard results.

Day Two dawned  to clear blue skies but no wind.  Eventually, a fresh force 3 sea breeze kicked in from the east allowing the Race Officer to send the fleet to a windward mark to the south of Broughty Ferry Castle.  The whole fleet was close on the first beat as all boats sought to minimise the effect of the incoming tide by hugging the shore up to the Castle.  Stewart Gibson rounded the windward mark first and opened up a comfortable lead which he held to the end as Sinclair and Hammond entered a duel that was to last throughout the race with both boats repeatedly covering each other and swopping places up the windward legs.  Eventually, however, the Hammonds broke clear to finish second with Sinclair third.

The final race over the same course again saw very close competition up the first beat.  On the downwind legs, Crawford Reid and Ian Siekman broke clear of the chasing pack, together with Hammond, Sinclair and Gibson.   The second beat saw Reid increase his lead with the other three boats again entering upon a close tacking match.  By the final leeward mark, Reid looked an easy winner.  However, he fell away on the beat for the line but just held on with Hammond second, Gibson third and Sinclair fourth.

Overall Results
1st     Steward Gibson and Gavin Berry 6959 (Strathclyde Lock SC)    5 pts
2nd   David and Nick Hammond 7920  (Ogston SC)     5 pts
3rd    Jim Sinclair and William Howarth 6956 (East Lothian YC)    9pts
4th    Dick Downy and Linda McMullen 7420 (Royal West of  Scotland ABC) 10pts
5th    Crawford Reid and Ian Siekman 6703  (Strathclyde Loch SC)  12pts
6th    Rodger and Solvy Fleming 6695 (Crammond BC)   14pts

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Bexhill

The weekend of the 24-25 June saw the club Albacores at Bexhill out in force, though disappointingly there was only one visitor. On both of the days the wind veered through more than 90 degrees. The wind varied in strength between force 1 and gusting six. The course, a 'D', was well laid and enjoyed by all of the sailors (despite beats becoming runs etc..).

Race 1: John Baber in 7511 showed the fleet how to sail for the first lap, a demonstration of remarkable skill which was to dominate his racing for the weekend. However, as the wind built from a 3 to a good 5 and gusting, the Thompsons took the lead. Baber and Pedderson retired, leaving the Days in 'Cobblers!!' to power through to a 2nd. The Brothwell brothers, sailing with a combined weight of 16 1/2 stone managed to hold off the rest of the fleet to take third place.

Race 2: The fickle winds of Sunday morning left the Days and Thompsons in a hole on the first beat, while the Brothwells just beat Baber and Pedderson to the windward mark. As the down wind turned into a beat the Thompsons
caught up, and it was the Brothwells turn to get stuck. However, the luffing match that ensued between Baber and Thompson on the run to the finish allowed the Brothwells to slip through and claim a first. Thompson and Baber were second and third respectively, with the Days in fourth.

Race 3: With everything to play for and a steady force 2, the Brothwells were first to the windward mark with the Thompsons in hot pursuit. Throughout the long downwind sections neither boat had the advantage and at
the leeward mark the open meeting result still hung in the balance. Following a prolonged taking battle, Brothwell went out to sea whilst Thompson continued along the shore. The latters tactic, combined with an increasing wind strength, put the Thompsons firmly ahead. The Days powered up and the Brothwells held them in third place by only two seconds.

The racing (and, I'm told, the 70's disco) was enjoyed by all and the level of competition was high. The meeting was well run and the prizes were well worth sailing well for. It would be nice to see more Albacores next year.

Overall results:
1st Richard and Jenny Thompson (Royal Torbay Yacht Club), 2pts.
2nd Michael and Stephen Brothwell (Bexhill Sailing Club), 3pts.
3rd Jon and Clare Day (Bexhill Sailing Club), 5pts.

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Girls on top at Maidenhead

12 Albacores met at Maidenhead SC with fluky ESE winds varying to SSE challenging the excellent race team. The first race was won on the start line as Judy and Paul Armstrong chose exactly the right spot on the line to break ahead of  the desperately tacking pack. As the wind dropped on the run Judy continued to pull out an impressive lead whilst Victoria Brookes and Richard Thorpe cleared the pack into 2nd place followed by Gary Windeatt crewed by junior John Cox. Victoria hit a mark and her place was threatened but she held on against Phil Tindall and Roy Box who finished 3rd whilst Judy was already in the clubhouse.

The wind steadied for the second race and the race officer changed course to allow for a southerly swing. Judy Armstrong again took the lead at the first mark but this time Victoria Brooks was hard on her heels and the two of  them tussled for 2 laps before Judy pulled out a 100 yard lead at the finish. Trevor and Ann Smith held 3rd for most of the race but Phil Tindall's superior tactics gave him 3rd place at the finish.

Having won the series and damaged her boat pulling it onshore, Judy decided to sit the last race out. The wind strengthened somewhat and Victoria led at the 1st mark followed by Trevor Smith. These two pulled away from the pack with Victoria holding the lead to the end. Phil Tindall, Bruce Preston and Gary Windeatt had a good battle for 3rd place with Bruce taking line honours.

Final results: 1st 7518 Judy  and Paul Armstrong (Scaling Dam SC), 2nd  7988 Victoria Brooks and Richard Thorpe (Maidenhead SC), 3rd 7754 Trevor and Ann Smith (Maidenhead SC - highest placed male helm!!)

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South Cerney - 7th May

On Sunday May 7th South Cerney Sailing Club held its 2000 Albacore Open Meeting. After early mist cleared the day turned into a real scorcher and the threatened thunder storms failed to materialise. Unfortunately the wind proved extremely unstable ranging in direction anywhere from North to East and in strength anything from 0 to force 3. Whilst it was a shame that some of the regular guests didn't make it this year, it was very pleasing to welcome several new faces to the event.

Race 1 was led away by Norman Halstead crewed by Liz Macdonald although on successive laps the lead changed with first Richard and Jenny Thompson, then Trevor and Ann Smith taking over. Subsequently Thompson and then Halstead re-took the Smiths and this remained the order for some time. On the penultimate lap Mike and Lesley Johnson suddenly appeared in second place on a huge wind shift, leaving the race to finish Thompson, Johnson, Halstead.

Race 2 began with a wind shift of similar magnitude part way up the first beat. David and Nick Hammond rounded the first mark with a handsome lead and to add to their advantage the fleet behind was somewhat chaotic. Jean and Derek Simmons soon emerged heading the chase with the Thompsons hot on their heels. The Hammonds proved quite uncatchable although Thompson overtook Simmons for second spot.

With only one race to go the whole event remained wide open. Fortunately the wind had increased somewhat and steadied a little in direction by this time. Thompson hit the first mark first, very closely followed by the Johnsons and by Victoria Brooks crewed by Richard Thorpe. Halstead quickly took third place from Brooks, then lost it again to the rapidly improving Hammonds who also went on to take second spot from the Johnsons. The first four boats pulled well away from the rest of the fleet but there was very little place changing and victory gave Thompson the overall title.

Overall results:

1st Richard & Jenny Thompson (Royal Torbay Yacht Club)
2nd David and Nick Hammond (Ogston Sailing Club)
3rd Mike and Lesley Johnson (South Cerney Sailing Club)
4th Norman Halstead and Liz Macdonald (South Cerney Sailing Club)
5th Jean & Derek Simmons (South Cerney Sailing Club)
Kimberley Trophy Mike and Lesley Johnson

Sorry folks - no pictures. Some sort of problem with the camera or the operator meant all photos were overexposed.

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Winsford Flash - Sunday 30th April

On Sunday 30th April nine Albacores were greeted with a wind force of zero. After a half hour postponement the racing got underway in a SE 1.

Dave and Anne Bancroft led throughout the race sailing the new Speed Sails glassfibre Albacore. Howard and Pauline Garner almost caught the Bancrofts on the last run but the Bancrofts held the lead to the finish.

The second race started in a force 2 with the Bancrofts again leading the fleet for the first two laps being passed by Judy and Paul Armstrong and Paul Lennie and Justin Twambley during lap three. The last beat David and Nick Hammond first passed the Bancrofts catching Lennie port and starboard on the finish line to take second place.

Race three saw the Garners in the lead followed by the Hammonds and the Armstrongs. By the second lap the Armstrongs had taken the lead holding it to the finish leaving the Bancrofts and the Garners battling for second place. During the second lap the Bancrofts broke away from the Garners who retired on the third lap with a broken main halliard leaving the Bancrofts and Hammonds to chase the Armstrongs.

Overall positions: 1st 7518 Judy & Paul Armstrong (Scaling Dam) 2 points; 2nd 7991 Dave & Anne Bancroft (Winsford Flash) 3points; 3rd 7920 Dave & Nick Hammond (Ogston SC) 5 points; 4th 7909 Paul Lennie & Judith Twambley (Winsford Flash) 6points

Dave Bancroft

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