Event: 2023 Open Dinghy Regatta incorporating Musto Skiff Traveller, Chanonry Sailing Club, 5/6 August
Report by Jamie Hilton (GBR 618)
Chanonry continues to draw in the crowds despite the hike north, and with good reason too… what a place!!! Stunning scenery, its own micro-climate that never fails to deliver, a super friendly club (one of those wee volunteer run places that ooze charm and charisma); and then there’s The Anderson, the local hotel/restaurant/pub that is an institution in itself. All of this, plus six fantastic races across the weekend, were the perfect recipe to serve up another superb event in the Musto Skiff Scottish and Northern circuit.
The local fleet were joined by visitors from around the Scottish hubs, the Northern strongholds of Derwent and Sunderland, and Richard Smith who flew in from Kent to enjoy his first taste of the Chanonry delights. Fifteen boats in all; many joined by partners, family, and four legged friends set us up for a great couple of days, on and off the water.
The racing on Saturday was excellent, racing up and down the axis of the channel in 10-12kts of sea-breeze; the gain (and loss) features provided by making the most of variations in pressure and tidal stream. The breeze was a little stronger on Saturday and Bill Maughan, fresh from his podium finish at the Garda Worlds, picked up where he left off and led the charge, starting well in each race, and with his searing upwind pace, Bill led proceedings overnight with a 2nd and two 1st places.
Euan Hurter, meanwhile, was finding his form, sailing smart, sailing boldly, and getting the big calls right to make the most of the gain features (except the one where he chose to lift his foil at the leeward gate to shake off some weed) and keep Bill honest. The chasing pack, notably Hilton, Keegan, and Trotter were enjoying an occasional nibble at the top two but having trouble making things stick. However, this meant there was great racing throughout the fleet, with many races within races.
Back ashore, the fleet enjoyed some refreshments in the sailing club including homemade cake bakes and some Stewart Brewing brews. The fleet then moved on to The Anderson for a hearty evening meal and tales of the day’s racing, dolphin spotting, a round of darts in the bar, a little sampling of whisky, and some of the local cask beers that the bar is famed for.
Sunday morning started with a Scottish breakfast selection of kippers, poached eggs, and haggis and some chatter about light winds and postponement. However, the micro-climate did its thing again and the sea breeze prevailed, this time in the 8-10kts, but not before race 4 (the first of the day), which got underway in an unsettled 6kts.
Euan made the most of the variable conditions, starting well and building a solid lead to take the win from Ian Trotter, with Bill in third. The wind then soon settled back on the axis of the Chanonry Firth, and Euan continued to show form to dominate again in Race 5 with another convincing win. Bill managed to secure second place from the increasingly impressive Ollie Bull, which meant the weekend title would be decided in the final race.
However, in the final race, Jon Bailey looked to upset the form book by arriving in first place at the top mark with Ben Yeats in close pursuit. As the race prevailed, it was once again Euan who sailed into the lead, clearly having chiselled away any rust picked up on his trip to the continent, leaving Bill to roll the dice to try and make his final move. Alas, this was to no avail with Euan securing the win from Trotter and the overall weekend victory, albeit narrowly from Bill. Third place overall was closely contested with Jamie Hilton taking this on countback from Ollie Bull, with Keegan and Trotter close behind.
The prize-giving wrapped up a great weekend, with prizes supported generously by Ovington Boats and Stewart Brewing, before the majority of the fleet were back on the road south, fully contented after their annual dose of Chanonry endorphins. What a place!!
Huge thanks to the club and organisers for another brilliant weekend in their company and stewardship.
The next fixture for the Scottish and Northern fleet will be the trip to the other end of the country for the Noble Marine UK Musto Skiff Nationals at Restronguet SC (Cornwall) over 21 – 24 September, but before this, the fleet will be reconvening at Dalgety Bay in October (21/22) for the season closer.
Results: http://www.results.chanonry.org.uk/2023/Regatta_Skiff_2023.htm
Feature image: Stuart Keegan at Chanonry SC (© Chanonry SC)
