Report by Rob Richardson
GBR Musto Skiff class event report for the ELYC Regatta 2022 at East Lothian Yacht Club in North Berwick, 3 – 4 June 2022
Day 1
10 Musto Skiffs arrived at the beautiful North Berwick where the sun was shining hard, but typical Scottish summer weather, puffer jackets were still very much needed.
Day 1 was a very steady 12-15knots, which built as the day progressed from the east providing the best sailing Scotland has to offer, with steady breeze and a building sea state setting us up for a cracking day’s racing.
The day was mostly dominated by our 2019 UK National Champion, Jamie Hilton, who would have won every race if it wasn’t for his lack of talent with knot tying, which cost him his win in the second race.
Better pressure on the right-hand side of the course throughout the day made boat speed an important factor for the day’s racing. This meant the “more experienced” sailors, such as Robbie Wilson and Ian Trotter, were regular faces at the front of the fleet. Although Robbie didn’t win a race on Saturday, he made his commitment to his efforts to win known when he took out Euan Hurter at the leeward mark on the way to the finish in race 2!! (According to Euan anyway….).
After 3 amazing races, East Lothian Yacht Club ran the famous Bass Rock race. This is a non-counting long distance race around the amazing Bass Rock, which is home to thousands of nesting birds. Only 4 Musto Skiffs stayed out to compete in the race, which didn’t take as long as expected in the now steady 15knots of wind. Robbie in his new boat (which is suspiciously fast) flew off into the distance. Even with a swim rounding Bass Rock, no one could stop him from taking the honours with Rob Richardson and Jamie Hilton taking the remaining podium places, and Euan Hurter coming in 4th over the finish line.
After a fantastic day of racing, the fleet headed to the local Italian for a fantastic meal before heading to the yacht club for a couple of beers, where Euan and Robbie finally kissed and made up for the leeward mark incident.
Day 2
Day 2 was set to be another amazing day (except for Gregg’s being closed) with a 10-knot easterly and a bit of sea state. The race officer moved the race course further out to sea to try and get away from the shore, which had given us a big benefit in Saturday’s racing, but the hungover Musto sailors still went the same way up the first two beats in race 4, with Alistair Conn leading the way ahead of Rob Richardson and Ian Trotter. That was until Euan Hurter boldly split from the fleet up the last beat and showed us the way, popping out clear in front, jumping nearly the whole fleet to snatch the win from Alistair, who comfortably led the entire race.
After witnessing Euan’s amazing tactical call in the previous race, everyone was very keen to try it out and head out left for a change. This race was dominated by Robbie Wilson, once again getting carried by his incredible speed and height, brought to him by his new boat. He was closely followed by Ian Turnbull who was up in second and had now remembered (after not sailing for such a long time) that the key to going fast is to keep the mast in the sky, not the water…. But sadly, second place wasn’t to be for Ian Turnbull, as Rob Richardson managed to gybe on him on the last run to steal 2nd place.
The last race started off with drama as Euan Hurter decided to anchor on the pin end as everyone was fighting to get out to the left for the extra pressure. Robbie Wilson, once again showing amazing form upwind, led round the top mark closely followed by Rob Richardson. This time, it wasn’t going to be for Robbie. He’d had it too easy in race 5 and he wasn’t going to have it as easy in the final race, after getting gybed on by Rob Richardson on the first run. This then settled it for the rest of the race with Rob Richardson taking the win from Robbie Wilson and Alistair Conn taking third.
With Jamie Hilton winning day 1, but having a worse day 2, and Rob Richardson having a rubbish day 1, but winning day two, both were tied on points for second. However, Jamie Hilton came out on top for second place on countback.
The man of the weekend who was consistently fast and making no mistakes was Robbie Wilson, who took the overall event win in the Musto Skiff class and, most importantly, the Bass Rock race.
Thanks to East Lothian Yacht Club and everyone involved from catering and the shore-side support to the race team for running such a fantastic event.
See you all in Kiel!!!!
Overall Results:
Event Photo Gallery
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Feature image: Ian Turnbull at ELYC Regatta 2022 (© Natalie Hilton / THM Photography)
