Event number two of the Scottish Blaze traveller’s series was held at Loch Venachar Sailing Club on the 28/29th of August as part of the Sailing Clubs annual regatta.

Loch Venachar, which is in the scenic Trossachs, famous for “Rob Roy”, has a west to East profile with high hills on either side. This meant large wind shifts and very gusty conditions. The Loch itself is about five miles long. Loch Ard where Shirley Robertson did much of her earlier Sailing is just over in the next Glen.

Six races were sailed over the Saturday and Sunday. On the Saturday Race one was windy. Peter Sykes consolidated his good start and went on to win the race. Mervyn Wrights rudder assemble failed and he had to retire and Bill Soudan did not sail the course correctly so a “DNF” was recorded. Race two, also windy; saw both Peter and Mervyn going for a swim at the gybe mark. Bill Soudan sailed well but lost time with yet more confusion over race marks. It was a photo finish between the three boats with Mervyn taking first, Bill 2nd and Peter 3rd. For the 3rd race the wind was light. Bill was first to the windward mark followed by Peter and then Mervyn. Positions did not change until the last beat when Mervyn got a fantastic wind shift close into the shore. The final result for this race, was Bill 1st, Mervyn 2nd and Peter 3rd.

Sunday had an ominous look right from the start. With strong winds forecast Mervyn who hails from Helensburgh was in his element. Unfortunately Peter was unable to race on the Sunday because of a prior arrangement. In a strong blustery wind, race four of the serious got started and Bill was first to the windward mark but the lead could not be maintained as Mervyn powered up the next beat. Mervyn who did not capsize this time, went on to win the race. The 2nd race, which was after lunch, was also very windy and blustery, yet again Mervyn powered up the beats with his new “X Rig”. The downwind legs were “screaming” at times providing a spectacle for spectators and fright for local fisherman as the high speed Blazes approached at frightening speed. Bill capsized at the gybe mark and was unable to catch Mervyn who sailed away into the distance in close pursuit of two laser EPS’s. Race three and the wind dropped a little. Mervyn got off to a good start and proved difficult to catch but as the wind dropped away Bill started to gain ground on Mervyn. At the end it was a close finish but Mervyn managed to win yet again. Overall Mervyn sailed very well and was a worthy winner excelling in the strong blustery winds.

The results overall for this Blaze traveller’s event were: 1st Mervyn Wright (HSC), 2nd Bill Soudan (RFYC), and 3rd Peter Sykes (PEYC). Mervyn scored an impressive 3rd in the Loch Venachar Sailing Club Regatta results for the fast handicap. The Blaze Class Association would like to thank the Loch Venachar Sailing Club for hosting the Blaze traveller’s event.