Stenhouse victory

Gavin Homer reports on the first round of the Scottish skiff dinghy grand prix

Twenty four skiff dinghies from as far a field as Rutland and Aberdeen arrived to a cold wet Helensburgh sailing club for the inaugural round of the Scottish skiff grand prix. With the wind blowing 20 knots from the northwest the race officer decided to hold Saturday’s racing off the club.

Race one started in a rain squall which by caused a few capsizes down the first run as several competitors lack of early season practice came through. By the end of the race the Musto skiff of Richard Stenhouse, had a commanding lead over Ian Renilson and the Int14 Of Gavin Homer and Gavin Mackinnon. Race two started in similar conditions but with Stenhouse breaking his kicker during the race the Musto skiff of Ian Turnbull got the bullet followed by Renilson and the Laser4000 of Craig Hepplewhite and Colin Grier.

Sunday dawned with similar conditions but with the race officer deciding to hold race 3 off Helensburgh pier the majority of the fleet missed the start. Kit Stenhouse was leading the fleet round when her mainsail fell down. This allowed Ian Renilson to win the race.

Race 4 had the added interest of the Killcreggan ferry trying to cross the fleet at the start of the first run but following on Richard Stenhouse went on to win from the International 14.

A depleted fleet started the final race by the final lap with gusts of over 30Knots the Laser 4000 of Hepplewhite Grier were the only boat to fly a spinnaker and pass a pitchpoled Richard Stenhouse to win the final race. On toting up the results Richard Stenhouse won the weekend from Ian Renilson with Ian Turnbull 3rd.

Results

1st Richard Stenhouse (Musto skiff) Rutland S..C 6pts
2nd Ian Renilson (Musto skiff) Dalgety Bay S.C. 8pts
3rd Ian Turnbull (Musto skiff) Sunderland Y.C. 13pts
4th Craig Hepplwhite & Colin Grier (Laser4000) Helensburgh S.C. 15pts
5th Gavin Homer & Gavin Mackinnon (Int 14) Dalgety Bay S.C. 16pts