On the 3rd and 4th of July the first ever Scottish Blaze Travellers event was held at the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club (RFYC).

The event, which was part of the RFYC’s annual regatta was held on the open water of the Moray Firth outside the relative shelter of Findhorn Bay. The tidal gate on the exit from Findhorn Bay was the first real test of the day. But once in the open water of the Moray Firth, exciting racing was to be experienced.

Thirty percent of the Scottish Blaze fleet turned out for the event. Four clubs were represented: RFYC, Port Edgar Yacht Club (PEYC), Crammond Sailing Club (CSC) and Helensburgh Sailing Club (HSC).

On day one two races were sailed. The wind ranged from force one to three with a sea swell. Bill Soudan (RFYC) showed some form in race one, taking first place. In race two Peter Sykes (PEYC) took first place, Bill Soudan being overtaken on a fast reach by Peter Sykes and Mervyn Hardy from (HSC), Mervyn sailing fast and determined with the old Blaze rig.

On day two there was no wind at first but a sea breeze eventually arrived building to force three to four with a choppy sea swell. Both courses were upwind downwind depriving the Blazes of a fast reach. Bill Soudan (RFYC) sailed consistently to take first place on both races.

The final top three results were: Bill Soudan (RFYC) 1,3,1,1; Peter Sykes (PEYC) 2,1,2,3; Mervyn Hardy (HSC) 3,2,3,2.

The Blaze Association would like to thank the RFYC for hosting the Blaze Travellers event. The next Scottish Blaze Travellers event is at Loch Venachar Saling Club on the 28/29th of August.

The Scottish Travellers Series kicks off with Findhorn on the 3/4th of July. There are three events in total, Findhorn, Venechar and Port Edgar.

a.. Two events out of the three need to be sailed to complete a successful series.
b.. The Low points system of RRS Appendix A shall apply.
c.. Scottish Traveller events also count towards the Club regatta prizes at Findhorn, Venechar and Port Edgar.
d.. Scottish Traveller results will be extrapolated from the overall regatta results at each of the Clubs visited.
e.. The NOTICE OF RACE for each event will be notified to the Blaze group as and when the host Club makes the information available.
f.. The SCOTTISH CHAMPIONSHIPS will be decided on the results of the Port Edgar, Carl Dyson Regatta.

Prizes; there will be separate prizes for the Scottish Travellers event and the Scottish Championships.

For the Scottish Travellers there will be prizes for 1st, 2nd and third placed boats at the end of the series.

For the Scottish Championships which will be decided on the the basis of the Carl Dyson Regatta results, there will be prizes for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd places boats. There will also be prizes for the highest placed English boat and the highest placed Welsh boat. A prize will also be placed aside for the fastest boat attending from the Isle of Man.

Bill Soudan
Blaze 592, Scottish Rep.