Biggest turnout of the year at Pentland Firth Yacht Club
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Pentland Firth Yacht Club's 2022 sailing season continued on Sunday with the biggest turnout of the year so far, and it proved to be one of the best events.
The wind was a comfortable 10 to 15 mph from the south-east with a cloudy sky but the sea temperature was at the highest it gets, at about 14 degrees Celsius. Twelve boats – four Topper dinghies, four Laser dinghies, two Mirror dinghies, a Bosun and a Laser Pico – readied themselves on Scrabster beach as the rescue boat left the harbour to set a course in Thurso Bay.
The officer of the day, Malcolm Lord, a former winner of many races at the club, was back in Thurso for the weekend and, assisted by Ian Grant, soon had the boats under way for the first race.
Mark Johnston in his Laser led from the start and showed the rest of the fleet how to master the choppy conditions.
Second in this first race was Marjory Lord (Laser), followed by Thomas McAlonan (Topper). Fourth place was declared a tie between David Lord and Sam Hodgkinson – they could not be separated after taking into account the different handicaps of the boats they were sailing.
The second race was also won by Mark Johnston but it was Thomas McAlonan who took second place, with Marjory Lord third.
The third and final race also went to Mark Johnston but this time Marjory Lord pipped Thomas McAlonan for second place.
There was close racing all the way down the fleet and great fun was had by all the sailors.
The club is always looking for new members. Anyone with an interest in sailing, or who would like to become involved, can email pentlandfirthyc@gmail.com
