June 12/13 RWSABC Greenock

Glorious sunshine and a steady 15 knots greeted the 16 competitors in Greenock for the bi-annual Albacore European Championships, this year combined with the Scottish Nationals. The rolling hills and beautiful setting of the Clyde provided a stunning backdrop to the teams who had travelled as far as Southern England and the Shetland Islands.

Race 1 saw Crawford Reid and Issy Martin in 'Ptarigan' first round the windward mark, closely followed by current Inland champs Judy and Paul Armstrong in 'Recklass Rat'. By the end of the first reach Nev Herbert and Mark Fowler sailing a borrowed boat 'Against All Odds' had sailed a lower course to round just ahead of 'Ptarmigan' and 'Recklass'. On the second beat they extended their lead with Shetland sailors Steve Brown and Frank Guthrie in their new Ovington hull 'Storm', sailing a great leg to overtake 'Ptamigan'into 3rd. At the finish gun 'Against All Odds' crossed the line to silence, deemed OCS, gifting the win to 'Recklass' with 'Storm' maintaining their lead over 'Ptarmigan'. Race 2 saw huge gains to be made for those that could read the windbends coming off the hills. 'Storm' rounding ahead of 'Recklass' with 'Against All Odds' in 3rd. 'Recklass' showed impressive downwind speed and pulled clear to win from 'Storm'. The final race of the Scottish Nationals saw the breeze increase. 'Recklass' dominated the race by going furthest right and won by over a minute. Second on the water was 'Against All Odds' just ahead of 'Storm'. Judy & Paul Armstorng win the Scottish title with Steve Brown 2nd overall and Crawford Reid 3rd.

Sunday dawned misty with little breeze but by midday the sun had broken through with a light breeze. Once again 'Recklass' showed great tactics by protecting the right hand side and added yet another bullet. In the lightening breeze 'Storm' and 'Ptarmigan' had a real dog fight with 'Ptarmigan' snatching 2nd place on the last beat. With the 2010 European Champs added to their tally, 'Recklass' headed in leaving the fleet to decide who would take the runners up trophey. Mat Thompson and John Howard in 'Gunship Diplomat' clearly liking the lighter conditions, rounded ahead of 'Ptarmigan'. As the wind slightly built 'Ptarmigan' gained the front and extended with 'Against All Odds' taking 'Gunship' on the line. A huge thankyou to the members and organisers at the RWSABC who proved that a stunning venue, great organisation, and a  TV showing the World Cup makes for an excellect championship regatta.

1st Judy & Paul Armstrong 'Recklass Rat' - Scaling Dam (4 points)

2nd Crawford Reid & Issy Martin – 'Ptarmigan' - Strathclyde SC (10 points)

3rd Steve Brown & Frank Guthrie – 'Storm' - Shetland (10 points)

4th Nev Herbert & Mark Fowler – 'Against All Odds' - Tewksbury (12 points)

5th Mat Thompson & John Howard – 'Gunship Diplomat' - Tewksbury (17 points)

6th Eddie & Jane Brooks – Elton SC (19 points)

7th Dick & Alan Dowie – RWSASC (25 points)

8th David Taylor & Ian Brockett – RWSASC  (31 points)

9th Gordon Scott & Jackie Reeper – Montrose SC (36 points)

10th Martin Anderson & Dawn Walton – North Staffs (36 points)

Team Prize - Dawn Walton, Martin Anderson, Issy Martin and Crawford Reid

Winners of both events - Judy and paul Armstrong

Winners of the Team Prize - Dawn Walton, Martin Anderson, Issy Martin and Crawford Reid