Results / RS200 Scottish Series Finale Loch Tummel - 08/10/2005

Loch Tummel held the final event of the RS200 Scottish Series. The main battle was between Ronnie Millar and Robbie Burns, with Burns requiring a top 3 finish to secure the Series. As the cars drove up from the eastern end of the loch, what looked like a gentle 5 knot breeze was revealed as a 20 knot westerly with 25 knot gusts at the west (race area) end of the loch. Race 1 saw Millar establish an early lead which he maintained to the finish. Sarah Meldrum showed good speed, and even better gybing ability, to keep upright and take 2nd place, ahead of Graeme Henry, who also kept the centreboard underwater. Race 2, and Burns led from Millar at the windward mark, but neither have mastered heavy weather gybing. A synchronised capsize routine at the first gybe kept the shore spectators happy, whilst allowing Graeme Henry to take the lead. Millar then took the lead on the next lap and stayed upright to win from Henry, with Sarah Robertson in 3rd. With the wind now a steady 25 knots with gusts, the fleet was sent ashore to await calmer conditions, which failed to arise. Race 3 was postponed to Sunday, and drinking began earlier than planned � much to Millar�s regret. The overall Series result appeared open on Sunday night with Burns securing a 7th and 8th to Millar�s two 1st�s. Sunday morning and the loch produced a westerly/north westerly/south westerly � usually on the same leg, with strengths of 5 - 15 knots. Burns commenced Sunday racing in an invigorating manner, securing wins in Races 3 and 4. Richard and Val Evans also rediscovered their normal form to appear at the front of the fleet, but another gybing accident on Race 3 saw them lose a 2nd place, but they secured 2nd in Race 4. Robertson again demonstrated her consistent sailing by taking a 2nd in Race 3 and 3rd in Race 4. Katie Masterson secured her best result of the weekend with a 3rd in Race 3. With Millar having a 4th and 5th in the two morning races, the fleet went ashore for lunch with the Series result now favouring Burns. The afternoon saw similar conditions and Millar revitalised by Coke and Nurofen. Race 5 turned into a Millar / Burns match race at the front with the lead changing numerous times. Millar appeared to have secured victory until gremlins struck at the final leeward mark, and he discovered that sailing upwind with a gennaker is not quick, even if it is only 100 yards to the line. Burns came through to win, with Robertson leading the rest of the fleet home in 3rd. Some not-so-quick mental arithmetic seemed to suggest that Burns needed to finish in the top 4 in the final race to secure the Series. Race 6 started with Burns leading from Millar, then Robertson, at the windward mark. A 4 lap covering match ensued, with Burns taking the race and the Series, Millar taking 2nd and the Regatta, and Robertson 3rd in the race and Regatta.