Lowland Trophy

Sunday 6th July saw the Lowland Trophy take place at Welland Yacht Club. The Lowland Trophy is WYC's novelty regatta, involving challenges, surprises and daft costumes. Unfortunately the weather put paid to some of the planned activities for the day, but ultimately a good time was had by all.

While the weather calmed itself down, the first event proceeded as a standard race. The wind proved very strong, throwing competitors in right, left and centre. Andy and Charlotte Prior took an early lead that they never looked like losing, while Robin Wilson and Chris Prior battled it out for second place. While Chris was ahead for most of the race, a capsize rounding the penultimate mark cost him too much time, and Robin crossed the line a mere 3 seconds later putting him second on corrected time. They were followed over the line by Richard Thacker in fourth, and Tim and Nicky Wilson in fifth.

The second race was a pursuit race, meaning boats start according to handicap, with the slowest first. Robin Wilson (Europe) was able to make short work of the slower boats, and establish a good early lead. Chris Prior (Laser Radial) took slightly longer to get past the Enterprise of Tim and Nicky Wilson, whilst constantly fighting off the Wayfarer of Richard Thacker. Andy Prior had the most to do in the faster National 12, and while he was able to fight his way to third place, he couldn't quite catch the two front runners. Despite having the slower boat, superior sailing (particularly at the marks) put Robin Wilson first, with Chris Prior in close second and Andy Prior in third. Tim and Nicky Wilson finished fourth, from Richard Thacker, and Beccy Wilson (Topper) in sixth.

The third race saw vastly improved conditions, and increased silliness as the competitors took to the water in fancy dress for the treasure hunt race. The race involved counting posts, spotting clues, and picking up time bonuses, and began with a rally start. Chris 'Cap'n Jack' Prior, Robin 'Chim-chim-eney' Wilson and Richard 'Lovejoy' Thacker were first to their boats and set off upriver to count posts, with Andy 'Token Effort' Prior, Tim 'King of Hearts' Wilson, Beccy 'Pirate Wench' Wilson and Joe 'Jim' Hawkins in pursuit. Beccy and Richard picked up their answers and time bonuses on the way, but turned back early, gambling on guessing the right answers to the later questions. The rest of the fleet took more time over it, and followed them home.

With everyone so close on time, it came down to right answers and time bonuses. Beccy Wilson's tactics paid off, putting her in first with some good guesswork and a large time bonus, with the same putting Joe Hawkins second. Chris Prior's slightly quicker time (and higher bonus) put him third, from Richard Thacker in fourth, Robin Wilson in fifth, Tim Wilson in sixth and Andy Prior in seventh.

Overall, Robin Wilson and Chris Prior were tied on points, but with the only win of the pair, Robin Wilson took a well-deserved first place, with Chris in second, and Andy Prior in third. The rest finished with Richard Thacker in fourth, Beccy Wilson in fifth, Tim Wilson in sixth and Joe Hawkins in seventh. Not the best conditions, but a great day's sailing anyway.

Weather Forecast