CBC Dinghy Regatta and Wanderer Scottish Championships
Published 19:20 on 13 Aug 2025
CBC Dinghy Regatta
The CBC Dinghy Regatta took place on the weekend of 9th / 10th August, incorporating the Wanderer Scottish Open Championships.
Unfortunately, the first day of the regatta was completely blown out by a strong SW breeze, with gusts of F7 and even F8. However, competitors were able to enjoy a drink in the bar and food provided by Sandra and Leonie, while gazing out at the choppy waters.
Sunday provided much better sailing conditions with SW F3-5 winds forecast. Following a briefing to the competitors, everyone headed out to the start line.
Wanderer Championships
The race committee aimed to provide three short races in order to make the most of the reduced timetable. The Wanderer fleet, including two visiting boats, started first and enjoyed close racing, with Alasdair Simpson and Chris Stanger (Arnside Sailing Club) just pipping local crew Leonie Griffin and Janice Kerrisk in Jennifier for first place, with Scott Livingstone and Claire France (Upper Forth Boat Club) in Bonnie in third.
In the second race, Jennifier and Bonnie started close together but soon Scott and Claire in Bonnie pulled ahead and held their lead to the finish, with Jennifer second and Alasdair and Chris third. Unfortunately Pavol, Sylvia and Daniel Mraz in Joshua had to retire from the race when the pin at the tack of their jib failed and they gave the impression of trying to use the jib innovatively as a spinnaker as they headed off downwind.
By the third race, the wind had strengthened, making for challenging sailing. All boats were cautious getting to the start but Bonnie began to pull away, with Joshua chasing, having fixed their jib. Jennifer was close behind, followed by Alasdair and Chris but it was hard work in the gusty conditions. There was much relief all round when the race officer shortened the race. At the finish, Bonnie held on to their lead, followed by Jennifer and Joshua.
This meant that Scott and Claire were crowned Wanderer Scottish Champions, with Alastair and Chris second, and Leonie and Janice third.
Handicap Fleet
In the combined handicap fleet, the two ILCAs of Ewan Christison and Keith Driver, and the RS Aero 5 of Lawrie Elliott made a flying start, closely followed by Alan Mackenzie's RS400 and the 2000 of Howie and Jennie Stansfield. Ewan pulled ahead and was first over the line, followed by Keith, with Lawrie, Howie and Alan close behind. Two cadets, Tunde Kersaudy-Kerhoas and Daniel Smit were sailing Laser Picos in their first ever regatta, and finished successfully.
In the second race, the two ILCAs and the RS Aero and RS400 made the best starts, before disaster struck Alan in the RS400, when he capsized at the gybe mark with his spinnaker up and broke the gooseneck. Again, Ewan led the fleet home, followed by Lawrie and Keith. Howie and Jennie were fourth, while Tunde's Pico beat her father's GP14 over the line in fifth place.
As the wind increased, a shortened third race saw a number of capsizes and retirals. An unfortunate port-starboard incident resulted in both the 2000 and the GP14 retiring, while the two cadets found their Picos hard to handle in the strong gusts and capsized several times. Only three boats finished the race, with Ewan comfortably ahead of Lawrie and Keith.
Once handicaps were applied, Ewan Christison was the clear winner of the regatta with three first places, with Keith Driver second and Lawrie Elliott third. Tunde Kersaudy-Kerhoas won the cadet trophy with a very creditable fourth place overall.
The full results can be found here.
Many thanks to Principal Race Officer Alastair Johnson and his team of Chris Callender, Alastair Millar, Keith Ovenstone and Angus Forsyth. Thanks are also due to the safety boat drivers and crew who were kept busy: Campbell Calder, Paul Rogers, Callum Smith, Kay McBurney, Sandra Smit and Annmarie MacRury.
