Kippford Week Report

At least it didn't rain but wind strength meant that most of the dinghy fleet got at least one soaking during the week because of capsizing.

Monday gave gusts recorded by one of the cruisers of 38 miles per hour and it was one of these gusts that caused Norman Edwards from Darlington in his Fireball to capsize. Unfortunately it all happened close to Rough Island and it drifted onto the rock. The damage caused put Norman out for the rest of the week.

Norman Edward's Black Velvet in better weather

But it wasn't only the Dinghies that were having trouble. Tom Dunstan and Duncan Gillespie sailing a Nimrod called Aquilo in Cruisers Handicap 2 fleet had their gib rip early in the race but continued on. On the last leg of the race their downhaul pin broke. Nearing the finish line they tacked. The ripped seam got caught on a cleat on the wrong side of the mast. Duncan stepped up onto the foredeck to release it however during the process stepped back and over the side. However, on the way down managed to grab a mast shroud and pulled himself back onto the deck. Their problems were not over though. Duncan went to retrieve the gib sheet in the cockpit which was on the side nearest the water. Another gust of wind hit them at that moment and the boat keeled over to an estimated 30 degrees of the water. Water flooded the cockpit and the side lockers before the pair righted the boat and got their finish. Unfortunately all this happened in front of the owner on the committee boat at the finish line. It was worth it though as they gained a first position.

Tuesday's wind strength moderated slightly but continued to decrease and by race end boats were struggling to find wind patches.

Wednesday gave moderate and consistent winds which suited all competitors. However, on Thursday not only did the winds increase again but it swung round to the North West. On the run out to the dinghy start Scott McColm from Prestwick in his catamaran a Dart 18 called Cataclismic lived up to that name. The front of the cats pods dipped under the water. Unfortunately the water depth was such that one of the pods dug into the mud. The boat was still being forced forward by the wind so the back came up and catapulted Scott forward and into the water. The boat finished up suspended in mid air supported by the pods and mast.

Friday gave a great days sailing and the cruiser race officer gave a course that took the Cruisers and Flying fifteens right round Hestan Island.

The regatta which combines with the RNLI race was held on the Saturday after Kippford week. All entry fees are donated to the RNLI. This year prizes were also purchased from the RNLI shop in Kippford. RNLI pennants are also given as prizes to the winners of individual fleets.

The morning of the event gave heavy rain and little wind. However, as the competitors made their way out to the race area the rain stopped and the wind strength rose. All competitors, cruisers and dinghies reduced their sail area if they could. The cruiser Modestine actually raced with only their gib flying and no main sail.

Things were not much better inshore with the dinghies. Scott McColm in his Dart 18 was through the line first on his first lap and in a challenging position for the Handicap 1 fleet. Misfortune overtook him though when his mast snapped and that was the end of his race. He was not the only one to lose their mast Bronagh Gillespie and Ailsa Ross were in a great position in the Handicap 2 race when on their way to the last mark on the last lap they capsized with the top section of their mast breaking. Campbell Benson also suffered in his Laser having the day before broken his centreboard and using a borrowed board and suffered a mishap. He took the prudent option of beaching on Rough Island sheltering and watching the racing from there.

Quick link to Results

Regatta Results for the cruiser fleet in first place was Kintra sailed by John Searle, Stewart Monaghan and crew in second place was Tara sailed by David Henderson, Nick Lane and crew. Both boats were expertly sailed in the conditions.

The Flying Fifteens found George Johnstone and Fraser Geekie in Fat is Fast in first place and Gareth Jones in Fruitcake in second.

In the Handicap 1 fleet Sandy Gass in his fireball repeated his success of Kippford week and took first place. Second was Elaine Ross and Fiona McCulloch in their Laser Vago called Pearls and Curls.

The Handicap 2 fleet was won for the second year in a row by Andrew and Douglas Bodenham in their Laser Stratos called Simply Red. Second was Mark Warwick in an Express called Expression.

The Laser Fleet saw Richard Colbeck repeat his success from Kippford Week and take first place and first in the Laser standard class. Second in the fleet and Standard class was Adrian Kerr. First Radial was Stewart Biggar in Scaur Tissue with George Clark second in The Green Gherkin.

First in the Handicap 3 fleet and first Topper was Flora Stewart and first Mirror was taken by Katherine Kelly and Philippa Benson in Nippy Sweetie.

Out of forty seven boats entered for the regatta only twenty one boats managed to complete the race.

Thanks goes to Jim Prentice who represented the RNLI and awarded prizes to the competitors.