Cove club regatta voted success

Frank Cassidy 1538 - 1538 • Published 19 Jul 2007 09:18

This was marked by an increase in the number of boats competing with all classes starting and finishing off the clubhouse, with a round-the-cans course.

On the first day, the bridge had seven class starts and day two saw the continuation of the one-design regatta, with Loch Longs, Pipers and Flying Fifteens racing.

Confusion reigned onshore just minutes into race one, though, when a lobster fisherman had dropped a buoy marked with "C" and some of the boats took a sharp left at the float.

When the offending marker was spotted, a RIB was quickly dispatched to cover it up, and the rest of the starts proceeded without incident.

Sadly, the light northerly breeze faded during the afternoon and the more powerful boats completed one round of the course with ease, but the later starters were left with very little wind in which to struggle back from the Gourock shore.

However, all classes managed to finish, and the sailors tumbled ashore to the strains of a piper, to enjoy the famous hospitality of Cove Sailing Club.

By contrast, the next day"s racing enjoyed a steady westerly breeze all afternoon, allowing the bridge to get in a full complement of three quick races over a short triangular course.

In the Flying Fifteens, making a welcome return to Cove after some years absence, a convincing win was taken by Riff Raff with a perfect three firsts.

The Pipers formed the weekend"s largest class, with 13 boats appearing from both Holy Loch and Royal Gourock Sailing Clubs and just two points separated the first three boats.

However, veteran helm Bob Donaldson in Pibroch managed to hold off the challenge from Stay Puff and Sandpiper and Cove Champion Alan DeVenny in Electra beat old rival Ian Harris in the only visiting Loch Long, to secure the trophy for the Loch Long Class.

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This article appeared in Helensburgh Advertiser 19 Jul 07

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