Osprey Scottish & Northern Tour Event 3 at Royal Tay Yacht Club

Osprey Scottish & Northern Tour at Royal Tay YC © Ian Hunter

Who shall wear the crown on Coronation Day?

After successive two day regattas at Kielder and Lochaber, the Osprey squad on the 70th Anniversary Tour set their satnavs for their final destination, Royal Tay Yacht Club.

Everyone was very impressed with the new Royal Tay clubhouse, where in the evening we were joined by RTYC Osprey sailors of old days, good to meet them.

The first day brought light winds, with people trying to get to grips with the mysteries of Tay tides, while their centreboards tried to avoid getting a grip of the mud as boats clung to the water's edge. Rob Shaw & Ian Little had the best day with two wins, while Alec Mamwell & Arthur Butler also scored well, with a third and second. Fog stopped play after two races.

A brisk F2-3 greeted the sailors for the final day of racing, on May 6th, Coronation Day. After the Royal Tay beach café had provided a delicious breakfast, one boat was dressed with flags and bunting to commemorate the day. But who, on Coronation Day, would be crowned Osprey 70th Anniversary Tour Champions?

Fog still loomed on the estuary, so RTYC's Race Officer Ron Lorimer wasn't hanging about, planning two morning races and one in the afternoon. Points at the top of the leader board were very tight, with Rob Shaw/ Ian Little's two wins the previous day helping them catch up with series leaders Alan Henderson/ Alastair Barrie, so the scene was set for a very competitive showdown. Meanwhile if these two faltered, Alec Mamwell/ Arthur Butler, who were showing good speed with their new Hartley main and jib, were ready to pounce. Local heroes Stewart Murdoch/ Sandy Bremner were also in the mix, while the Light & Bitter boys were also showing well at the front, and everyone else had already managed at least one podium finish on the Tour.

Osprey Scottish & Northern Tour at Royal Tay YC - photo © Ian Hunter

The Tay tides and a shifty ENE wind were still the bane of many an Osprey crew, as one bad tack could take a boat from first to last! Centreboards and rudder blades meanwhile had many close encounters with the mud as competitors strained to find as inshore a course as possible against the incoming tide.

Alan Henderson, with usual crew Alastair Barrie back in harness after a day off on the Friday, took the first race on a two lap windward leeward, closely followed by Light & Bitter, sailed by Paul Heather/ Jonathan Osgood, who held off Rob Shaw/ Ian Little in third. Light & Bitter was built many years ago by Rob Shaw, but it added a point to Rob/ Ian's series score. Et tu, Brute!

By the second race, tides were becoming stronger. Alec/ Arthur took this race, heading further out into the flooding tide to gain speed on the run. Alan/ Alastair took second, creating a three point gap ahead of Rob/ Ian. There was plenty of place changing in the close racing behind, with various boats making big jumps with one inspired choice of tack.

Osprey Scottish & Northern Tour at Royal Tay YC - photo © Ian Hunter

Fog prevented a triangular course out to the mid Tay for the last race, so it was another windward leeward instead, with broad reaches today to a closer leeward mark. Over two short laps, the Anniversary Tour and Scottish & Northern Championship titles would be decided, in the very last one of twelve races in 3 different venues. This all proved how competitive the Tour was. With the help of a little offshore hitch near the windward mark, Alan/ Alastair drew away from Rob/ Ian who at last overegged their determined beach crawling. Alan/ Alastair took the win, with Rob/ Ian in second and locals Stewart/ Sandy taking third. This gave the Tour and Championship titles to Alan and Alastair (Prestwick SC), with Rob and Ian (Kielder) second, and Alec and Arthur (Coniston) third.

That's enough on the sailing, it was a great fun tour, with many sights to see, and much breaking of bread with friends in the fleet. If you weren't there, you missed yourselves!

Overall, a brilliant week, with light airs but a fantastic and lively social atmosphere at all three clubs. All competitors on the Tour will receive a commemorative whisky glass at the Nationals in September.

Thank you to Kielder, Lochaber and Royal Tay, for all the tireless work of your volunteers, who made possible our tour of the North. Apart from the sailing, it's been spectacular to see and explore new areas of the UK. It has been a fantastic part of the celebrations of 70 years of the Osprey. The class look forward to seeing you all throughout the year at Osprey events, and especially the Nationals!

Event 3 Results:

Scottish & Northern Tour Overall Results:

Other highlights of the 70th Anniversary Year will be;

• National Championships, Hayling Island, September 2-5
• Round the Isle of Wight, Lymington, 23/24 September

Further information on Osprey class at www.ospreysailing.org