Largo Bay 2008

 

Largo Bay 28-29 June 2008

Big breeze, big waves, big courses at Largo Bay SC for the second Scottish Traveller event of the year -  what more to ask for? Well, more Europes for a start! The only two takers for the event were relegated to the general handicap for the weekend. Regular traveller Brian Finnie (Loch Tummel SC) was joined by Jenny Wilson from Wormit BC on her first outing away from home with her recently acquired Europe. Jenny is no newcomer, however, as the weekend was to prove.

Day 1

On Saturday the wind was a strong south-westerly but the outgoing tide kept the surf to manageable levels for launching. However only Jenny made her way to the start as Brian wimped out at the sight of the forecast squall clouds lining up to the west. Jenny went on to complete the days run of three typical Largo Bay courses - long in distance and duration, back to back with only a short time for recovery in an aftenoon of strong wind.

Day 2

Sunday's forecast was for lighter winds but on the day it materialised as strong as ever. With a bit more south in the wind and a still west flowing tide the launching into the onshore wave pattern was troublesome. Not  wanting to let the Europe class down Brian decided to follow Jenny out, but his delays in getting off the beach left him late at the start and after sampling the conditions for a short stretch of the upwind leg he left the course to leave Jenny to once again uphold the honour of the class and finish all three races as the wind moderated until a final squall for the last finish of the afternoon.

Jenny won the Europe event in a walkover while also doing well to finish sixth in the handicap class field of fifteen, taking on several of the hard men from other classes.

The final event of the Scottish Traveller series is the Scottish Championship at East Lothian Yacht Club at North Berwick in September.

Brian Finnie GBR367