Fizz on the Tay
Strathmore Series racing had the attention of Perth Sailing Club members this week.
The series of four races, sponsored by Barr soft drink company, was greeted with sunny conditions and a west, south-westerly wind.
Three laps of a long zig-zag course from west of the Friarton bridge to the Stockgreen navigational mark gave testing gybe practice.
Seven boats started, but James Curley retired his Laser during lap three with a broken tiller as did Vicky Wright in her Europe. Sandy Rodger, crewed by daughter Jennifer, led at the first mark and held their lead. But the Solo of Jack Douglas won on handicap.
Surviving the testing conditions well in a Club Quest was Munro Gauld, crewed by daughter Molly, who crossed the line third.
Six boats entered the second race of the evening where conditions remained similar with the exception of a slightly gustier wind.
The race was sailed over three laps of a shorter zig-zag course, giving more extreme gybes and some planing.
Sandy found himself the wrong side of the downwind mark and was neck and neck with Jack’s Solo, who shaded him on the line followed by James in a Laser sporting a borrowed tiller.
The first of the final two races of the Strathmore Series again welcomed six boats to the water. Conditions were dry with a westerly wind force 5-6 and gusting, while a strong incoming tide created waves on the water’s surface.
The race officer of the day advised those sailors with less-skilled crew to abandon the action due to conditions. First over the line after completing four rounds was Jack, followed by Andrew Porteous with John in third position.
The same six boats took to the water for the final race. First over the line after four rounds of hair-raising sailing was John, followed by Andrew, with Peter Bevan in third position. *Results after handicap: Strathmore Series, September 8 - Race 1 - 1st Woodpecker (J Douglas), 2nd Dash (S Rodger/J Casebow), 3rd RS Quest (Munro/Molly). Race 2 - 1st Woodpecker (J Douglas), 2nd Dash (S Rodger/J Casebow), 3rd Laser (J Curley). September 9 - Race 1 - 1st Solo (J Douglas), 2nd Whooper (A Porteous), 3rd Bare Away (J Ferguson). Race 2 - 1st Whooper (A Porteous), 2nd Bare Away (J Ferguson), 3rd Marsh Daisy (P Bevan). Overall Winner Strathmore Series - Woodpecker (J Douglas).