Light winds cause frustration for Wick Model Yacht Club over May Day weekend
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Members of Wick Model Yacht Club held their annual May Day event at Loch Sarclet with eight races scheduled over the two days.
Usually it takes the form of a competition against a group of sailors from Kirkwall Model Yacht Club but unfortunately this year the Orcadians could not attend.
Each day's racing began at 11am, going through to 4pm. Both days were overcast with very light winds – ensuring a frustrating weekend of sailing, although all participants enjoyed the experience nonetheless.
Yachts taking part were Aurora (sailed by Archie and Fiona Miller), Kindling (Kevin and Lewis Paterson), Pioneer (Peter and Rory Sinclair), Restless Wave (Graham and Adam Robertson), Barracuda (Shirley and Cory Macleod), Skua (Innes Scollay and David Sutherland) and Blue Haze (Michael and Alexa Paterson).
The overall winner was Kindling, which managed to sail in conditions that others could not.
Race one was the first leg of the Thrumster Estate Cup and, as the wind eased, Kindling was the only finisher.
The second race was the first leg of the Quatercentenary Cup, with Aurora and Restless Wave upsizing to fit their largest sails as the wind strength had shown no improvement.
Kindling overtook Aurora to secure the win – on inspection Aurora had picked up weed, causing its loss of pace. Restless Wave and Barracuda completed the race some way behind in third and fourth respectively.
The third race – second leg of the Thrumster Estate Cup – had no finishers after the one-hour time limit was called.
Race four, the second leg of the Quatercentenary Cup, was abandoned as the wind died away and the loch surface was as smooth as a pane of glass.
At the end of day one the points were as follows – Thrumster Estate Cup (races one and three): Kindling, 6 (51:39). Quatercentenary Cup (races two and four): Kindling, 6 (40:38); Aurora, 5 (42:40); Restless Wave, 4 (50:17); Barracuda, 3 (54:20).
Sunday began with a teasing breath of wind which was a welcome improvement compared with Saturday. The fleet varied between mid and large sails.
Race five was the first leg of the May Day Shield, with Kindling again the winner. Skua and Restless Wave had a very good spinnaker run and managed to catch Aurora as it backfilled, pirouetting a couple of times at the Coronation Pier.
Restless Wave finished second and Skua third, with Aurora in fourth place and Blue Haze fifth.
The sixth race was to have been the first leg of the SMYA Northern Trophy. An attempt was made to begin the race but progress beyond the shed was impossible so it was abandoned.
The second leg of the May Day Shield was race seven and, after an extended break, a slight breeze became noticeable. Aurora set the pace and built up a commanding lead which Restless Wave could not reduce.
Kindling clawed back some time but landed in the Hole. Blue Haze and Skua both had good spinnaker runs to finish.
First place went to Aurora, followed by Restless Wave, with Kindling third, Blue Haze fourth and Skua fifth.
The final race of the weekend was the second leg of the SMYA Northern Trophy, with victory going to Aurora. Kindling pipped Restless Wave to take second place. Blue Haze was fourth and Skua ended up fifth after landing in the Hole.
Sunday concluded as follows – May Day Shield (races one and three): Kindling, 10 (1:02:10); Restless Wave, 10 (1:09:14); Aurora, 9 (1:07:34); Skua, 6 (1:15:42). SMYA Northern Trophy (races two and four): Aurora, 6 (31:22); Kindling, 5 (32:36); Restless Wave, 4 (32:52); Skua, 3 (37:03); Blue Haze, 2 (37:47).
Viking Cup (most overall points): Kindling, 27; Aurora, 20; Restless Wave, 18; Skua, 9; Blue Haze, 7; Barracuda, 3.
