Force four takes hold of sailors in Pennant Race

Aug 22 2008 by Les Stewart, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

Perth Sailing Club

THE RNLI Pennant Race took place on Saturday afternoon in fair conditions with a south easterly wind-force 4 and gusting with seven competitors.

An early pre-race capsize by Eric Taylor helming Sandy Rodger's Albacore and crewed by Ali Wood resulted in them joining the race late.

The Cummings' Albacore and Neil Whittet's Laser were neck and neck during the first lap then Neil pulled ahead with Robin MacArthur crewed by Bob Oliver in third position followed by Andrew Porteous's Albacore, crewed by Malcolm Saynor.

First over the line was Neil Whittet followed by Robin and Bob with Walter and Irene in third position.

Graham Keir in his Solo joined the fleet for the first of the Regatta races of the weekend.

Some exciting sailing experienced with plenty of jibes and some nail-biting beats downriver while the incoming tide fought against the volume of water coming down the river. Walter and Irene were first over the line followed by Neil with Robin and Bob in third position.

Eight boats took to the water on Sunday for the second race of the Regatta, Oliver Williams in his Otter, John Ferguson in his Albacore, crewed by Lewis Pyke and Sandy Rodger crewed by Stewart Gallacher joining the fleet. With wind conditions and course similar to the previous day John and Sandy got ahead of the field early on in the race.

First over the line was John and Lewis followed by Robin and Bob with Sandy and Stewart in third position.

Robin and John both had poor starts to the final race of the Regatta allowing Sandy to pull ahead with Oliver keeping good pace in the Otter against the larger boats. It was a fairly close race, Sandy and Stewart first over the line followed by John and Lewis with Patrick and Paula in third position.

Results after Handicap

RNLI Pennant Race: 1 Laser (N.Whittet) 2 Cordon Bleu (R.MacArthur/B.Oliver) 3 Kelpie (A.Porteous/M.Saynor)

Regatta: Winner:- C Devil (G.Keir) 2 Cordon Bleu (R.MacArthur/B.Oliver) 3 Mirage (J.Ferguson/L.Pyke)