After Friday the 2^nd January's postponement of the annual New Years races due to gale force winds
the Kip race got underway on time, organised by Kip's Duncan Chalmers, former Club Commodore,
and sponsored by Tunnocks. The weather was the complete opposite of the previous day, with sunshine
flat sea and very little wind.

Five boats and crews took part and after the marina office briefing of a crew member from each boat,
of the course, the race was on with a sprint to their respective vessels. Engines were turned off at the
outer end of the marina channel, the course being the Green Channel marker (0) to port and Skelmorlie
North to port then back to (0) to starboard and if weather permitting the course to be repeated twice
and then back into kip with a crew member reporting to the office.

Most boats were caught out with the exceptionally strong tide added to by the amount of brackish water
flowing down the river. More Misjif closely followed by Leomaris were first to the mark but only after
struggling to get up river to round it. Warrior, after rounding the mark decided to go into the Innellan
shore to take advantage of the tide and what appeared to be some wind with More Misjif heading straight
for Skelmorlie Bank and Leomaris trying to get into wind in the middle of the river. Mean while BlackJack
the J122 and the Dufour, Obalisque were trying to get up river to round the first mark. More Misjif was
first to Skelmorlie North and Warriors tactics of going to the far shore proved correct as they rounded in
second place followed by Leomaris. More Misjif decided to headed into the Cowal  shore with Warrior
opting for the middle of the channel followed by Leomaris. With boats making just over 1 knot of boat
speed the result was at times boats were moving backwards. As the wind picked up Warrior headed over
to the Cowal side of the course with a view of catching More Misjif. By this time the J122 rounded the
first mark with Obalisque still fighting her way up river. The lead boat as it rounded (0) to starboarded
decided enough was enough and the race was on between More MIsjif and Warrior for line honours.
With More Misjif getting their crew member to the marina office first. As promised in the weather forecast
the wind filled in from the North West and as a result BlackJack and Leomaris had a good joust to the line.

   The results after a testing couple of hours were;

1. More Misjif
2. Leomaris
3. Warrior
4. BlackJack
5. Obalisque

The presentation was made by Duncan Chalmers and great thanks were expressed to Kip Marina
and Tunnocks for once again providing their overwhelming support which was much
appreciated by every crew member.

Here’s to a great season of racing in 2015.         Ricky Gray, Rear Commodore FYC (Leomaris)



The victorious More Misjif crew with Tunnocks sunshades!. Thought you'd be wearing the apron Cameron?