Friday, June 3, 2011

J/97s Dominate Scottish Series

J/97 sailboat- offshore racer-cruiser- sailing Scotland
(Loch Fyne, Scotland)- Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series Scottish skipper-helm Hamish Mackay and a core crew, which between them have won the premier trophy nine times, lifted the Scottish Series Trophy after two final race wins. They sealed a conclusive overall victory in IRC Class 4 on Loch Fyne at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series.

After triumphing twice, back to back in 2001 and 2002, Mackay becomes only the second skipper or helm to win the overall top trophy three times in the 36 year history of the regatta.

Steering father and son duo Jim and Steve Dick's J/97 JACKAROO, Mackay and crew scored no worse than second and won four times over their six races which were sailed in predominantly strong winds over the four day series. They finished nine points clear of an identical J/97, JAYWALKER, owned and steered by Clyde helm Iain Laidlaw.

After a weekend of very testing strong winds today, Monday, Loch Fyne delivered crews a final reminder of how good conditions can be for the north of Britain's premier annual regatta.  Though there was still a chill in the air and the very early morning was punctuated by a heavy hail storm, the sun shone through both races which were completed and the moderate westerly breezes averaged 12 knots but varied from 7-18 knots up and down the three course areas set.

The JACKAROO crew, Mackay, Peter Cameron, George Purves, Billy Russell Jr, Jon Fitzgerald and Roddy Anderson, all native Scots, along with owner Dick, were pushed hard by their J/97 stablemate JAYWALKER in the overall decision for the 107 boat regatta's top trophy.    Sailing photo credits- Marc Turner   For more Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series sailing information.