Results / Chanonry Open Chanonry - 03/08/2002

The Scottish RS200 fleet were once again in action on 3-4 August , this time at Chanonry Sailing Club at Fortrose on the Black Isle . CSC were also delighted to receive sponsorship again this year from local chandlers Caley Marina for their Annual Regatta which incorporated the RS200 traveller fleet . Entries were slightly down on previous events but the 8 participating boats produced keen and close competition with 3 boats recording race wins . Saturday's light airs meant only one race run , however local helm Richard Evans and crew Scott Smith won race 1 just taking the lead from Douglas and Kirsty Hamilton at the last leeward mark . Hamilton's having to settle for second having held a good lead for most of the race . Gavin Marshall and the first of his 2 ladies crewing were third . Sunday started of with very light winds which steadily increased as the day went on and the sun shone on the righteous . 4 races were held with each race being turned round very efficiently by experienced RO Mike Harrison . Race 2 got off to an ominous start when the whole fleet were recalled but started cleanly a second time . This was almost a repeat of the first race with Evans/Smith winning followed by the Hamilton's in a very close second while Katie Masterson and new convert crew Gordon Tosh were 3rd . By race 3 the wind was strengthening and the fleet were so keen that a further general recall prompted the RO to hoist the black flag - a first for the Scottish RS200's . A clean start was achieved however and Graeme Henry and Shona Redpath won race 3 with Masterson / Tosh 2nd and Dave Redpath and Anna Renz 3rd having held the lead for a good part of the way . Race 4 was another win for Henry / Redpath , 2nd for Masterson / Tosh but this time Hamilton's picked up a 3rd to keep them in the hunt . It was all down to race 5 and soon the fleet split into 2 groups with Henry / Redpath , Masterson / Tosh and Hamilton's battling it out at the front with Hamilton's establishing a lead on the first downwind leg . This time they held their slender lead to the finish but not without a fight from the other two . A combined score of 8 points and just 1 ahead of Henry / Redpath provided the overall win for the Hamilton's with only 1 point separating the subsequent 3 places . Special mention to newcomers JP McColgan & crew Jess Copland and local Sea Cadets team of Graham Pollock & Mathew Stewart who joined us for the first time .