Scottish Albacore Championships at Invergordon Boating Club
by Dave Bilsland 26 Jun 2013 19:04 NZST
22-23 June 2013
The first Scottish Albacore Championships was held in 1963 so this was the 50th anniversary of the first event and even though the Albacore is a one design class I am sure the competitors from 1963 would be amazed how the class has evolved in the last 50 years. The fleet included boats from as far as Scaling Dam Sailing Club in Yorkshire.
The first race was scheduled for 1300 on Saturday but the weather was not helping the race officer. An attempt was made to start the first race but abandoned during the start sequence. The fleet were then sent ashore to await developments in the wind. After a break of about an hour the fleet relaunched and the first race got underway in a light easterly which subsequently went round to the south west. The race was won by Judy and Paul Armstrong followed by Crawford Reid and Graham Russell with Terry and Ross Macleod taking third.
The second race followed as soon as the course had been re-laid. This was sailed in a dying breeze and once again Judy and Paul Armstrong prevailed with Terry managing to beat Crawford for second place.
Sunday dawned with a well established Northerly that was forecast to freshen through the day. The first race was once again won by Judy and Paul with Crawford claiming second. Dave Allen and Paul Ovenstone showed improving form in third place. The second race was a repeat of the first. Paul and Jaqui Sleeman unfortunately were forced to retire after a capsize and some problems with their rudder.
The final race was sailed in the strongest wind of the day with gusts of over 25 knots being recorded by the committee boat. The result were much as before with Paul and Judy winning from Crawford and Graham following. There was no doubt in the overall winners Judy and Paul Armstrong from Scaling Dam Sailing Club.
This report would not be complete without an expression of thanks to Paul Sleeman's CS Boats who sponsored the event.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club |
|---|
| 1 | 8189 | Judy Armstrong | Paul Armstrong | Scaling Dam Sailing Club |
| 2 | 6703 | Crawford Reid | Graham Russell | Strathclyde Loch Sailing Club |
| 3 | 1924 | Terry Macleod | Ross Macloed | Invergordon Boating Club |
| 4 | 6492 | Dave Allen | Paul Ovenstone | Invergordon Boating Club |
| 5 | 7518 | Paul Sleeman | Jaqui Sleeman | Invergordon Boating Club |
| 6 | 8157 | Ian Kitchingham | John Edmondson | Invergordon Boating Club |