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2007
Kestrel National Championships Over the weekend of
the 28th /29th July Kestrels from all over the country arrived at Royal
Tay to take part in this year’s National Championships which were being
held north of the border for the first time. An excellent entry of thirty
two boats registered including some travelling from as far a field as
the Solent with a good turnout of Scottish boats from Tayvallich and the
Tay. It had been suggested that if conditions were suitable that the visitors
would join in the Royal Tay’s annual Balmerino picnic but conditions did
not allow this to happen due to the strong westerly breeze. Instead there
was an impromptu practice race with about fourteen boats taking part and
getting a feel of the waters. At the briefing, on Sunday evening, Chairman
of the organising committee, Ron Lorimer welcomed the competitors and
introduced, Race Officer, Dorothy Ramsay, who went over the race programme
and answered questions. A full complement of boats took to the water for Tuesday’s race three which was again in a good westerly breeze. It was certainly a beautiful, sight on the downwind leg with all the spinnakers flying. This time race officer decided to use the I flag instead of P but there were four boats OCS all of whom where local boats. Peter Hay & Sandy Bremner in 1615 unfortunately lost a third place due to the failure to return, but that’s life. On the downwind leg the fleet was split with boats on both sides of the course but those mid river seemed to fair better with Dusty & John again dominating the fleet. Towards the end of this race a really nasty gust came through and saw a lot of capsizes and some gear damage but everyone made it safely ashore. Hearsum & Fay stayed upright to take third and Stewart & Mhairi claimed another fourth. During the lunch break the windward/leeward course was shortened as the wind was still quite strong and this saw the marks in smoother waters. Due to exhaustion and the conditions numbers were down for race four which saw the battle continuing between Dusty & John and Paul & James with Dusty taking race four from Paul & James with locals, Hay & Bremner in third and Stewart & Mhairi fourth. Tuesday’s racing was sponsored by Jean Elvidge who presented the prizes that evening. John & Olive Glasspool missed race five on Wednesday morning to finish off repairs following a capsize on Tuesday. The west –south-westerly breeze had eased slightly but there was plenty of sunshine. A windward/Leeward course was set and again there was a difference of opinion in which side to go on the downwind leg with great battles going on throughout the fleet with Dusty picking up well but this time the Jarvey brothers leading from the start took the race from Dusty & John by less than a length as Dusty had caught on the run to the line with Hearsum/Fay third and Stewart & Mhairi a consistent fourth. Race six may be remembered as the defining race of the championships. It provided another superb sail in bright sunshine with a slightly lighter 15 knot breeze, there were big waves kicked up by the wind over tide conditions and the trapezoid course gave a splendid tour of the river estuary. To top it all the dolphin came amongst the fleet giving some dramatic excuses for any loss of concentration. With Miller and Ellingham now four races up on the Jarveys and the Murdochs similarly ahead of Pike and Luxford for third spot there was a lot riding on the outcome. Another win for Miller and Ellingham would make them untouchable, another win for the Jarveys and the championship would be wide open again. After one general recall with more than half the fleet over, nerves settled and the fleet got away. Local team of Hay and Bremner pulled off another good start and had a small lead at the windward mark. They were followed by Miller and Jarvey and all three cracked their spinnakers towards the end of the short reaching leg. The long run down the south shore presented the choice of staying further out into the wind and tide or heading inshore at the risk of loosing both, throughout the fleet people came to different conclusions - some even changed their minds... but those who risked the inshore option came out ahead at the gybe. Leg three was a full-on beam reach across the river - superb to watch, even better to experience. Hay and Bremner held
on to their lead at the end of the first round but Miller and Ellingham
were on their tail, with the Jarveys still in contention. The contest
for other places was very open with Hearsum, Murdoch, Broadhurst and Pike
all changing places. There followed a windward /leeward round and a final
trapezoid, some 13 miles in all. The combination of weight and experience
came to the fore particularly on the three sail reach and at the finish
it was Miller from Hay with the Jarveys third and Hearsum/Fay fourth.
So while the top two places looked very sorted there was still a hot contest
for third slot. Wednesday’s racing had been sponsored by “The City of Discovery” and Lord Provost and Admiral of the Tay, John Letford presented the prizes. The City also hosted a reception which included a visit from The Abertay Pipe Band and the addressing of the Haggis by Boyd Baird, after which there was a chance to taste some Haggis, neeps and Tatties. This was followed by a ceilidh which ws enjoyed by all. The fleet were obviously keen to get going with race seven as most of the fleet were OCS and there was another general recall, the restart saw the fleet cleanly away. Racing was very close with battles throughout the fleet and as the wind increased a few capsizes occurred. Most of the fleet again preferred the middle of the river as the best leg for the downwind leg which gave a beautiful sight with all the spinnakers flying. Dusty & John had been creeping up the fleet after a 720 at the start, but suddenly they could not be seen. They had for the first time in the memory of many of their fellow sailors capsized and had their worst result of the week, an eighth place. Paul/James Jarvey stretched their lead by crossing the tide early to take first place from Stewart/Mhairi, Pike & Luxford and Hearsum & Fay. Despite this slight set back
it did not stop Dusty Miller & John Ellingham retaking the National
Championship. At the prize giving Dusty thanked all those involved in
helping to make it such a successful week both for the sailors and their
families, there was so much to see and do in the area.
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