FAIRLIE YACHT CLUB - AUTUMN POINTS RACING - RACES 1&2

- Report by Duncan Chalmers

The inaugural races of this Kip Marina and Largs Yacht Haven Autumn Series were sailed off Kip Marina on Sunday. A 26 boat entry has been received by the organisers "Fairlie Yacht Club". This twin venue event is quite unique with the first 3 weeks sailed off Kip and the final 3 weeks sailed in the Largs channel. Reciprocal berthing has been organised at each marina for annual berthers as part of the sponsorship deal.

A single IRC class has been set up along with 2 CYCA classes to accommodate the range of yachts entered.

John Corson's Corby 33 Salamander XX shone in the light shifty conditions of the morning race and positively revelled in the steadier and stronger south westerly in the afternoon to record 2 straight wins. Ken Grant over from Holy Loch Sailing Club for the series with the J109 Tigh Soluis II recorded a good opening day with 2 third places.

CYCA Class 3 brought together a fine array of yachts for example 3 Moody 336's, 2 Westerly Storms, Hanse 370 and 35, J29 and X102 all close on handicap so this will provide interesting and tight racing. It was to be Brian Wiseman and his team in the Westerly Storm "Sorr of Appin" that was to take the class win in both races to hold top slot. Craig Anderson's Moody 336 takes 2nd overall after taking 2 third places. Holy Loch Sailing Club's Allan Waugh currently lies 5th overall after his first day's sailing at Kip.

CYCA Class 4 suffered slightly on boats with the holiday weekend but interestingly of the 4 boats out there was one boat from Fairlie Yacht Club, Royal Gourock Yacht Club, Cardwell Bay Sailing Club and Clyde Cruising Club so a real inter-club rivalry set up on the water. It was to be Bob Stone's evergreen Albin Ballad Salamander (CBSC) that was to run out eventual top boat with 2nd and 1st places.

Consistency will be the name of the game with 10 races still to go (4 discards) and no doubt a huge variant in the wind and sea conditions it will be interesting to see who ultimately takes the Holt Trophy for best overall performance in 5 weeks time. Results IRC 1 Race 1 1 Salamander XX Corson 2 Airtricity Cowie 3 Tigh Soluis II Grant

IRC 1 Race 2 1 Salamander XX Corson 2 Calima Gilmartin/Mackie 3 Tigh Soluis II Grant

CYCA 3 Race 1 1 Sorr of Appin Wiseman 2 Mallie MacFadyen/McClelland 3 Cool Bandit Anderson

CYCA 3 Race 2 1 Sorr of Appin Wiseman 2 Aquasmart Davis 3 Cool Bandit 2 Anderson

CYCA 4 Race 1 1 Silenus McCondichie 2 Salamander Stone 3 Salaminor Brown

CYCA 4 Race 2 1 Salamander Stone 2 Silenus McCondichie 3 Retrac Cameron

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