IN the traditional Glasgow Fair weekend exodus to the Western Isles, the Clyde Cruising Club's annual Tobermory race, David Miles' well-travelled Sigma 38 Rock Adventurer triumphed in Class 1 by 10 minutes on Saturday's first leg from Port Bannatyne to Ardrishaig.
Miles, principal of an Inverkip-based offshore sailing school, may have been caught between two roles - teacher and pupil, for among his leg winning crew was Bill Mackay one of the Clyde's renowned masters of these waters.
While it was John Corson's J35 Salamander XII which led this biggest boat division, Miles' Sigma was sufficiently in touch with the pathfinder to watch and avoid the calms and lighter breeze which impeded Salamander's progress.
For the 49-boat fleet it was a brisk race, rich in anticipation of the force 5-6 winds which were forecast but never materialised. Instead, of the usual snare of light winds through the Kyles of Bute, there was a quick passage. However, off Tarbert a hole in the breeze developed which trapped many of the slower boats and dashed a few hopes in the process.
The popularity of the restricted sail classes this year - in which spinnakers are not allowed - was marked. It reflected the other exodus of Scottish crew members at the weekend, to Cork where Ford Week has attracted nearly 500 boats.
First boat to finish at Ardrishaig was from the faster restricted sail class, Class 5. Jim and Pat Fowler's Sigma 38 Moonshine shook off a challenge from David Lyons' identical craft Super Tramp, but on handicap both dropped to second and third behind Gordon Aikman's Moody 336 Scanne. Results:
Port Bannatyne to Ardrishaig (Saturday). Class 1 - 1, Rock Adventurer, 4hr 43min 34sec; 2, Salamander XII (J Corson) 4-43.44; 3, Thornoxn (JB MacIntyre) 4-46.45. Class 2 - 1, Swedish Lady (I Harris) 5-01.01; 2, Lemarac (AB Tunnock) 5-15.10. Class 3 - 1, Joker II (JG Cowie) 3-42.42; 2, Jus' do It (I Derby) 3-51.59; 3, Victric (I Abernethy) 3-53.04. Class 4 - 1, Rampage of Lymington (C & MG Rennie) 3-45.02; 2, Johari (J Anderson) 4-17.29; 3, Upstart (Ritchie & Black) 4-28.39. Restricted Sail: Class 5 - 1, Scanne 3-55.59; 2, Moonshine (J & P Fowler) 3-58.35; 3, Super Tramp (DB Lyons) 3-59.33. Class 6 - 1, Optomist (RML & IAP Weir) 4-20.06; 2, Honey Bee (CW Ironside) 5-31.57; 3, Edisevorg (JCA Sword) 5-36.21.
Round Mull Race, Inverkip to Crinan - 1, Carioca (A Bilsland) 23-22.57; 2, Sloop John T (I & G Thomson) 23-46.08.
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