A near dead heat between Kumari and Thembi, and close racing between Twister and Mollymawk will be the stuff of club legend for many a year. Who will win? The finishing times are being processed by the Sandicapping super computer even as I write this.
Sandra Campbell was aboard Iain Boyd's Romairi, along with Donald to flag the fleet away, before heading under Gardner power to the island where a feast was preparing. Prawns, sausages, burgers and a haunch of Sika venison were on offer but no midges.
Thembi made a particularly impressive sight charging along upwind, with young Meaghan at the helm, brother Hamish and father Tim sweating at the winches.
Kumari's crew stroll the deck, champagne glasses in hand |
Sally, on the other hand, disgraced herself by missing the start guns altogether, and struggling to keep up with the fleeing Vegas, Mollymawk and Twister. Andy and Karen's Lucky Jim understandably hung back for fear of disturbing the delicate balance of the venison which had a bunk to itself and will be handicapped accordingly.
And majestic amidst the fleet, our flagship Kumari, Mairi at the wheel and Osborne crew, with Sandy and Lisa handing out regular supplies of smoked salmon sandwiches and champagne from the centrally heated depths of this fine vessel...
Not to forget our mothership Goldseeker, with Robyn and Scott aboard, probably the finest upwind vessel of us all, which made light work of the thrash down the loch. And Hugh, aboard Raingoose, who has probably sailed more this season than anyone.
Of even more special note was Topher Dawson's lone voyage in Polly's Folly. Although the race was for cruisers only, it is hoped that a special award be contemplated for a feat that must rank high in the role call of, er, feats in small dinghies heading for Isle Martin.
Competitive strimming: Paul in blue and John in red vie for the title |
Meanwhile others, Kate, Chris and fellow hackers, were at work on the undergrowth, bringing tears of gratitude to the eyes of Isle Martin's de facto saviour, John McIntyre who has been working tirelessly to restore some order to the neglected island.
Sunday dawned grey and windy for an informal Ladies race back to Ullapool, which was won decisively by our new sailing instructor Robyn Phillips aboard Sally (both Vegas having being disqualified on two counts, for cutting the Winkie corner, besides which they didn't have a woman on the tiller).