Tarbert Loch Fyne - The inside story

Some reflections on the TLFYC Traveller which I hope was a greta success.

Firstly a big thank you to my hosts the Gray-Stephens who provided room and Board for the Foster traveling circus.

Second a big thank you to Ian for the use of First by Farr as Committee vessel. We could not have asked for a more helpful host. A 45 foot "mothership" for the Toppers to flock to and rendez-vous and a great working platform anchored on station in the right place on both days before we even had the Toppers out of the harbour.

Thirdly well done to TLFYC and all our helpers. Stepping in at a late stage to host the event when our original plans went awry was a generous move and a brave one when it transpired that most of the usual helpers where away on holiday in July but no one who did not know that story would have guessed that the regatta helpers were anything other than the "A" team, well done everybody.

Fourthly a big thank you to the Ardrishaig RIB who swelled the safety numbers on both days despite have to make a quick switch of boats mid-event. And thanks to the Ardrishaig Commodore who loaned the replacement vessel.

Thank you, young David Kent for bringing Dad in another RIB - it was really good to have that extra cover in the wild conditions of Saturday afternoon and to the crew of Animal who were also standing off the race course throughout.

And of course a big thank you to Paul, Alan and Alison (nee Fiona) for keeping me in check all weekend on the Committee Boat.

As for the racing - these are the main memories looking back.

Apologies to all for the delayed start, everything was ready to go, great course laid, nice long line for the moderate sized fleet (23 boas) and 10 degrees Port bias, no five degrees, no it's neutral, no it's Committee boat end, no its now a reaching start, ooops - has anyone seen the start mark? Try again. Same story. Try again, same story. Fortunately Ian came to the rescue with a spare anchor from First by Farr and on the fourth atempt we got what we needed, a mark that would stay still.

Race one was the Rory Kilgore show. Angus Gray-Stephens led off the start line into a short chop caused by the 24 knot North Westerley over Tarbert Bank but when he capsized at the windward mark ensnarling several competitors it was Rory who was poised to pounce, sailed around the confusion and into an impressive lead. Leading the chasing pack was Jamie Noyes who was working his socks off both upwind and down but just could not close the gap on a delighted Rory. Samantha Foster pleased Dad by posting a third.

Race 2 was quickly off with the minimum of delay to await the last few stragglers and was a rather more conventional affair. Angus did not capsize this time.


Race three was kept short to allow race four to be held immediately thereafter and was briefly delayed as we had to give CPR to Fiona Kilgore as the news was radio-ed through that Rory had broken another boom! Fortunately it was only a gooseneck this time and quickly replaced. With Gales forecast for Sunday I was following the "bird in the hand" school of race management in case Sunday was blown off. Most notable memory of this one was Alexander Still's puppy dog eyes as he crossed the line after round two with a good lead but after a long hard day at the office was clearly praying for the shorten course flag. I was having none of it however and "Chukie" had to earn his win the hard way, which he did - and in style.

So with four good races in the bag the fleet headed ashore to feast on local delicacies (and what a feast it was!) and pour over the results to date.

Angus held a small lead over Jamie with Chuckie in third, Jessica Campbell was just ahead of Sammi in fourth and fifth but the girls were facing a strong challenge from Kyle Maxwell-Cox and Jordan Black.

Sunday morning saw sailors anxiously assessing every gust and rain cloud but with conditions outside the harbour looking very sail-able races five and six were held exactly on time at 11 and 12 respecively allowing for a very respectable return to pack up by about 1.30pm and the prize-giving at 3pm. A close shave as the wind picked up to the forecast 30 plus knots just as the last Topper rounded the final leeward mark.

In the final analysis Angus could not quite overcome the fast charging Jamie and Chuckie held on for third. Jessica was a clear fourth. Sammi had a disaster at the start of race five with a detached downhaul and despite flying in the gusty and shifting conditions, taking back 15 places in one race, could not hold off Jordan and Kyle in the final reckoning.

Overall results were was listed below.

Well done TLFYC. Well done Scottish Toppers. Well done Jamie Noyes.

Next Scottish Topper event is the Scottish Topper Championships at Royal Forth in mid August.

See you all at the Nationals?