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Fairlie Patch/Largs New Year Race 3/1/2015

With the forecast of strong winds prompting the postponement of this year's race on the 2nd of Jan, the competitors
turning out on the 3rd were blessed with a stunning sunny day, with light NW breeze and wall to wall blue sky.
Given the weather, the turnout was a bit disappointing, but those on the 4 boats who did enjoyed an excellent day
on the water.

The briefing was convened in Scott's, and warm drinks were taken. It was decided to keep the race within the Largs 
Channel due to the possibility of the breeze failing. A course into the NW f2 and ebb tide, to Tomont, followed by a run
down tide to Hun5, then fetch back to the Yacht Haven safe water buoy was set, with a start time of 1130.

A Kip style 'Grand Prix' start would have been unsafe with the frost and ice covered pontoon decking very slippy, resulting
in something more akin to the annual Duck Race, as the crews waddled cautiously to their craft!

'Breagha' was first to cross the start line displaying a fine array of berthing fenders along the port side. This potential 
oscar winning performance was soon rectified with the priority of sails before fenders obviously being the order of the day.
(most likely they were forgotten!). 'Auk', 'Suilven' and then 'Solus' followed. 
The Largs shore seemed favourite to stay out of the tide, but the wind was not too good inshore, so the beat was mainly
conducted from mid channel to the Cumbrae shore. A breeze of 6 to 9 kts kept the boats moving through a strong tide, 
with Breagha rounding the Tomont mark first followed by Suilven, Solus, then Auk.

Initially the run down to Hun5 allowed poled out genoas to be used, but as the breeze softened towards the mark some
creative angles were required to make the rounding. The breeze then recovered to allow a brisk fetch into the tide up to
the marina safe water mark, completing round 1.
Breagha led from Suilven, then Solus. Where was Auk?  We then spotted a yellow spinnaker making it's way south from
Tomont, and realised that our briefing had not been comprehensive.

The beat on round 2 looked to favour the Largs shore, with the breeze having backed enough to allow a course parallel
to the shore. Breagha headed out on starboard to mid channel again, with Suilven deciding to stick with the shore, and
after 10 minutes it looked as if they had made the right decision. Breagha then picked up a bit more wind and was
headed enough to almost lay the mark on port tack, and the situation was reversed with Breagha again rounding the
mark ahead of Suilven. Solus followed, but Auk decided one round was enough with the breeze fading away.

The run to Hun5 turned into a broad reach in decaying breeze, with barely 3 kts at the southern end. The tide played its
part, sweeping the first two boats down, and as they rounded, a fresh breeze reappeared, which allowed a 7 kt fetch to
the finish. Solus carried the better wind down from Tomont, and suddenly looked as if their handicap would cause
problems for the leading pair, but Breagha prevailed, holding off Suilven, who in turn held off Solus by seconds on
corrected time.
The results; 1) Breagha 2) Suilven 3) Solus 4) Auk (1 lap)

18 crew members enjoyed a post race gathering in Breagha's saloon. Truly a 'bulk carrier'.

Auk 3.1.15

Auk flying the yellow spinnaker

Breagha 3.1.15

Breagha tacks at the start, displaying this year's fender collection.

Beat 3.1.15

On the beat

Solus 3.1.15

Solus. Just look at that sky though

Suilven 3.1.15

The Commodore tip toes along Suilven's icy deck!

party 3.1.15

Happy New Year. Soft drinks only at the post race gathering!! Eileen has the mince pies cornered. Pete tells the same jokes
as last year. Alistair pretends to listen. Ian queues at the heads door.
Photos courtesy of Garth Wilson

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