D-Zero Traveller Series at the Dalgety Bay Sailing Club Regatta

A couple of months ago I made a decision to do the Dalgety Bay Regatta on the 28th and 29th September, turning this trip in to a mini holiday.

On Tuesday 24th we packed the boat up and travelled nearly 300 miles up north; to my surprise it was nicer weather in Scotland than it was in the Midlands. After three days exploring Edinburgh it was time to get down to business with a forecast of 10-15 mph for Saturday and 5 mph for Sunday.

On Saturday morning, 70 boats descended on Dalgety Bay across six fleets, eleven of these were from the D-Zero Fleet. Three races were scheduled for the day with a fairly consistent 10-15mph north westerly breeze. After a short 30-40 minute lazy beat out to the race area we got under way in race 1.

D-Zero Traveller Series at the Dalgety Bay Regatta - photo © Ian Baillie

Race 1 was a tale of two beats with all being fairly close at the windward mark after the first beat, a couple of places changes amongst the fleet on the first downwind. The second beat is where it all changed, those that went right (myself included) got it wrong and for those that went left found themselves a good 20 boat lengths or more in front. Jon Bassett took the line honours followed by Allan Stuart and then Peter Taylor in third.

Race 2 saw no change to the course with plenty of close racing through out the fleet, I found myself in the mix with the leaders in the race, lessons were learnt from the first race, and on the second beat I went left but so did everyone else. Jon Bassett once again taking the win, Peter Taylor in second, and myself in third.

Race 3 - the less we say about this one the better - the breeze decided now was good time to die off meaning local knowledge really came in to play. The local sailors proved to be very quick in these conditions using the tide to their advantage. Alistair Higgins took the race win with Jon Bassett just behind him and then Peter Taylor rounding out the top three.

Dalgety Bay did not disappoint when it came to the evening social, a meal of either lasagne or curry followed by a choice of desserts and plenty of beer; so much beer that the bar ran out and had to do a beer run. Live music from the Ginger Roots band and plenty of discussion of the days racing. Jon Bassett with a target on his back.

D-Zero Traveller Series at the Dalgety Bay Regatta - photo © Ian Baillie

Sunday morning dawned and for those that weren't too hungover to see it were greeted by sunshine and Dalgety Bay looking like a mirror and no breeze to be felt. With the postponement flag up a bacon roll and coffee were on the cards.

Race 4 got under way at around 12pm with a light but building south easterly breeze. Clearly I hadn't drank enough the night before as I found myself leading round the windward mark; it was at this point the wind shifted by about 90 degrees, and much to my disappointment the race committee decided to abandon the race about 20 minutes in.

Race 5, with the course reset and the breeze still building, this was a case of left is best. Alistair Higgins got this right and led the whole race, for those of us that went right off the line we had a pretty tough beat, watching those on the left in really good pressure. Alistair Higgins first, Jon Bassett second and Scott Munro coming in third.

Race 6 now blowing a force 3-4 got under way with plenty of hiking up the first beat, much to my surprise I was first round the windward mark followed very closely by Jon, Scott and Allan. The downwind legs were very tight with Jon and Scott both looking like they might sail lower and faster, maybe I'm not as slow as I thought downwind, managing to hold them off to take the win in the final race, Jon Bassett second and Allan Stuart third.

D-Zero Traveller Series at the Dalgety Bay Regatta - photo © Ian Baillie

Jon Bassett took the overall win with a very consistent set of results, Alistair Higgins second overall and Peter Taylor third.

Many thanks to everyone at Dalgety Bay for a fantastic and well run event, I will definitely be returning in the future.

Find the class online at www.facebook.com/groups/devoti.zero

D-Zero Traveller Series at the Dalgety Bay Regatta - photo © Ian Baillie

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