Matt Andrews
Forty-eight people took to the water in twenty-four boats at Fingal Head on the last Sunday in June for the Tweed Valley Sailing Club’s second winter series.
Clear skies and 10 knots of southerly breeze made for great racing and some new names to the club, and the winners’ list.
It became clear on the first downwind leg back towards Fingal Head that the two corsairs, One Too Many and Epic were in for a battle that would last the whole race with the lead changing constantly.
They both needed to sail well to fend off the fast-moving Lasers of Wayne Culph in Flight V, Peter Fell in Dread Nought, and Lex Branch in Splatter, not to mention the ever-present Andy Lamont and his crew in Monopoly (Corsair).
Club regular Dave Chester in his Hobie 16 was the fastest boat on course, while Igor Prado and Anthony Butler in their Hobie 14s also provided some colour and spectacle in the way that catamarans can.
The low tide just after start time provided another obstacle for the sailors when approaching the western shore with the ever-moving sands of the Tweed River coming into play on more than one occasion.
Within sight of the finish line Michael Grace was passed by Wayne Culph to win by just a few seconds with Peter Fell crossing for third, less than a minute later.
Epic, Monopoly and Kate Yeomans in Bluey (Laser) rounded out the top six.
Fresh from a sailing course Kate Ausburn and her children Charlie and Flynn took on one of the Tweed Valley Sailing Club’s Pacers and impressed all by completing the three-lap racecourse.
Mellisa Le Roux and Amber Benoit raced an NS14 together for the first time and made their way around the course with some style.
Another fun and active day was had by all and the club sails again this weekend.
