2001 June
Juniors well on course for saling success
JUNIOR members of Pentland Firth Yacht Club have completed their
"away" competition programme for the season, racing in the North
schools' championships at Loch Morlich and in the Inter-County Challenge
at Kirkwall.
In the North of Scotland Schools' Regatta, a weekend event at Loch Morlich, PFYC's Glen Foster (14) and Matthew Phimister (15) had to contend with strong winds gusting off the mountains. Both performed extremely well in the conditions and in the presence of national-standard competition.
It was Matthew's first competition away, and his best placing of l5th place resulted from a brilliant start - showing that his is a name to look out for in future.
Junior members of Pentland Firth Yacht Clubwho competed against their counterparts from
Orkney Sailing in the Inter-County Challenge at Kirkwall.
Glen demonstrated fine seamanship by recovering from rudder breakage on the water unaided and in difficult conditions. Left well behind in last place, he went on to catch up the fleet and finished the race in 23rd place.
Results: Matthew Phimister, best result l5th, overall 37th; Glen Foster, best result llth, overall 20th, outstanding sailor of the event award.
PFYC took on Orkney Sailing Club in the InterCounty Challenge, a one-day event at Kirkwall. Sailors faced difficult conditions with fresh, south-westerly winds accompanied by heavy rain.
This was a six-a-side event with two races - an individual race and the Challenge Bowl team race. The Pentland team members were Alan Thomson, Dan Rae, Ian Thomson. Glen Foster, David Scott and Matthew Phimister. The clubs were well matched in the individual race but the numbers showed PFYC having the edge for the following team event. However, in the challenge race Orkney were able to pull out the better overall result.
The overall quality of the fleet was good and everyone had someone to spar with at their level.
OSC arranged an evening social of darts and pool and a lunchtime barbecue.
Travel sponsorship was provided by Pentland Ferries.
Results - Individual race: l, D. Clouston; 2, G. Foster; 3, M. Butcher; 4, I. Thomson; 5, D. Scott; 6, Matthew Phimister; 8, A. Thomson; 10, D. Rae. Winners of S. & J.D. Robertson Challenge Bowl: Orkney Sailing Club.
PFYC has a very active junior section whose members normally sail the multicoloured, single-sailed dinghies that can be seen on Thurso Bay on Sunday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Most of the juniors have less than two seasons' sailing but are developing quickly with the help of qualified coaches.
PFYC is a training establishment recognised by the Royal Yachtina Assosiation the UK governing body. An annual basic training course introduces both juniors and adults to the sport. The club has close with other youth groups, such as the Sea Cadets and the Sea Scouts.
Steve Foster