Day 4 Report – Class 3 Races at Tighnabruaich

Download the Results (Sailwave)

Wednesday 3rd July dawned with a welcome calmness after yesterdays gale and rain. With the larger Class 1&2 Fifes safely tucked up in Portavadie Marina, a lay day awaited. Crews were to enjoy a lie in, with many taking the opportunity to go aboard the Waverley paddle steamer for a trip round the Kyles of Bute and up Loch Fyne.

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Due to the wind and sea state in the race course in yesterdays Loch Fyne Race, Class 3 was held back by race officer David Kent. This resulted in Class 3 yachts overnighting again in Tighnabruaich. Following a class meeting, the consensus was that a race in the Kyles at Tighnabruaich would be the best option to allow a full series to be raced.

With an 11am start, jostling on the start line saw Rainbow luffed to windward of the committee boat by local boat St PatrickMignon once again led the fleet to the windward mark off Kames Hotel, then NW to a laid mark just off Buttock Point.

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The wind lightened at the east side of Tighnabruaich, with passing lanes opening up and those Fifes able to fly their spinnakers most effectively making good ground on their opposition. Once past the turning mark, the fleet headed back to Kames, Mignon relentlessly extending her lead.

Mignon again took line honours, with Coralie again taking second place on corrected time. Seabird design Fiona had her best result with third.

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Tomorrow sees the Fife fleet race back to Largs in The Bute Race, and the intention is for Class 3 to start at the later time of midday from a position to the north of Inchmarnock Island, and then all fleets will race into Largs.