Sailing...by Alan Henderson

Jul 18 2008

BRISK winds greeted sailors at Prestwick on Sunday who were competing in two Summer Series races. Those initial brisk winds suited Tom Carey in his Dart catamaran.

Sailing round a big course in SW winds, Carey's cat was comfortably up to speed, winning that race from another fast boat, the Musto Skiff sailed by Mark Haine. David McClay took third place in the first of a trio of RS300s. In the slow fleet, Iain McMaster took the race win in his Radial.

By the second race, the wind had moderated and race officer John Wilson opted for a short triangular course. This time the slower boats, notably the trio of RS300s, were to the fore. David McClay lost time getting stuck at the first mark, but despite that he succeeded in catching up Alan Henderson and Malcolm Downie to take the race. Downie took second, with Henderson third. In the slow fleet, Norman Day won in his GP14.

It was another race win for McClay who took the annual veteran's race which attracted a good mixed fleet of boats.

As well as holding racing on Thursdays and Sunday afternoons, the Prestwick club is organising free sailing for members on Saturday afternoons in July, and these are proving popular with people who recently learned to sail, and can now polish up their skills in company. The next RYA Learn to Sail course will start on July 26 and caters for complete beginners and those who have sailed a bit.

Results: summer series, July 13, Fast fleet: race one: 1. Tom Carey, Dart; 2. Mark Haine, Musto Skiff; 3. David McClay, RS300; Race two: 1. David McClay, RS300; 2. Malcolm Downie, RS300; 3. Alan Henderson, RS300.