Scottish Traveller at Dalgety Bay on 29th and 30th May

The inaugural event in the re-established Scottish traveller series took place in the shadow of the Forth Bridge on May 29th and 30th. Two Europes turned up to join the Dalgety Bay regatta slow handicap class, which formed the first event of the series. There would have been a third Europe but Brian Finnie had injured his hand the previous week and could only turn up to offer condolences for the lack of wind. Liz Ashburn encountered heavy traffic on her way from the Lake District and missed the first start, leaving Val Ludlow to win the class unchallenged in the light conditions. The very light winds dropped even further in the afternoon and the Race Officer abandoned the second race after the start leaving Liz to write off the day.

On day two the winds improved somewhat with a light, but still fickle, southeasterly, giving the chance of a full three races. The first race of the day saw Val and Liz as the only starters, the remaining slow handicap sailors having decided not to risk another disappointing day. Val made the best match race start and gained further on the first windward leg. However, Liz had better downwind speed and was level again at the leeward mark, only to run into a hole in the dying wind and never recover, leaving Val to cross the line well ahead. At the next start the preceding Laser Radials were recalled and in the confusion Liz missed her start time to let Val take the
gun without any opposition. The final race of the day found both Europes starting together and once again Val rounded the windward mark ahead. Liz used her better downwind speed to regain lost ground and on the final windward leg found a better band of wind to stay ahead at the finish. So overall Val Ludlow took the honours with two firsts on the day to add to her Saturday win, with Liz Ashburn taking two seconds and having the satisfaction of a win in the final race of the day. In the two races where other factors did not influence the result both sailors were evenly matched
with a win apiece and both are looking forward to meeting up again as the series progresses.

The next event in the series is the Scottish Single Handed Championship at Prestwick Sailing Club on 19th and 20th June. Three years ago when the event was last at Prestwick, Bess Homer was third overall in her Europe, so the good name of the class deserves defending. Unfortunately the date clashes with the traveller at South Cerney. The River Mersey and the Manchester Ship
Canal mark the halfway point, so if you are north of that line, why not take a trip to Prestwick?

Brian Finnie GBR348 (with thanks to Val Ludlow)