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707 Sprints Report

Published 11:03pm on 19 Sep 2024

Thirteen short course races challenged the 18-strong fleet of Hunter 707s on the Forth. Eddie Batchelor's Tsunami II made it two event wins in a row after the team finished atop the Hunter 707 Sprint event.

The event, hosted by Port Edgar Yacht Club, was a two-day event with 13 short course races of 20 minutes each. Teams sailed in two fleets of equal size and ability on Saturday which served as qualification for Sunday's final series.

Upon Saturday's conclusion, the top half of each fleet progressed to the yellow fleet with the bottom half sailing in the blue fleet.

With points resetting completely on Sunday, it was all to play for. Each of the nine teams in the yellow fleet had a chance of victory. Stringing four race wins together, among a fourth and a pair of seconds, was Tsunami II.

Winning helmsman Gillies Munro said: "We're really chuffed. The Sprints is an excellent event with an excellent format. The crew and I really enjoyed the racing today."

Ripon Sailing Club's More T Vicar got the better of the 2024 Vice National Champions Monarch with a five-point lead to take second place overall with Monarch in third.

More T Vicar finishes 2nd in the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Claire Jane
More T Vicar finishes 2nd in the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Claire Jane

Among the yellow fleet was Leeds University who put in some superb results including a well-earned second place.

Commodore for the Leeds University Sailing Club and the team's pitman, Nathan Fox said: "We had some great sailing, always trying to improve. I think we slowly improved during the day, so it felt good to get out there with everyone else in the fleet in the top cut. Nothing beats it."

When asked about the team's top result Fox said: "It felt amazing. We are in a national fleet with some great, experienced sailors. To make the right decisions and get on the right side of the course, there's no better feeling than crossing that line. I'm really proud of everyone that came, we enjoyed it."

Racing Demon wins he Silver Fleet in the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Claire Jane
Racing Demon wins he Silver Fleet in the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Claire Jane

Meanwhile, topping the tables in the blue fleet was Port Edgar's Will Normand, helming Racing Demon, "Yeah good day today, we had good boat speed and sailed some good races."

When asked what makes the Sprints such a great event, the software engineering director said:

"The number of races is great; it feels quite different from any other event. Here you finish one race and it's straight into the next. Every manoeuvre you do 20 times in a day, maybe even more. It's great practice for crew work, it really shows and pays."

The class association thanks Port Edgar Yacht Club, Port Edgar Watersports and Stewarts Brewing for their continued support.

Tsunami II wins the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Lewis Smith
Tsunami II wins the Hunter 707 Sprint event at Port Edgar Yacht Club - photo © Lewis Smith

In his closing remarks, Tsunami II helmsmen Gillies Munro threw forward to the next event on the class association calendar, "The next event is the Scottish Championships over in Largs in the middle of October, so we're looking forward to that."

The windfarm project manager went on to say: "I'd encourage everyone to come along, it should be a great event."

Overall Results:

PosBoatSail NoBow NumberHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7Pts
Yellow Fleet
1stTsunami 2703131Gillies MunroPEYC14111228
2ndMore T Vicar705252Ben WilliamsonRIPPON SC425231315
3rdMonarch703535Kenny WatsonRoyal Tay YC266353120
4thValhalla70033Andrew LawriePEYC532674424
5thRacehorse703232Rudi BarmanScarborough YC673549530
6thJetstream7102102Justin VentonPEYC317868631
7thIsbean706868Richard GibsonPEYC954487937
8thPoimandres705555Guy MitchelLeeds Uni SC889726738
9thMojito704242Guy NevillePEYC798995846
Blue Fleet
1stRacing Demon708484Will NormandPEYC11111338
2ndBeluga703333Helen CowieRoyal Findhorn YC273241113
3rd>td >704343Nicky MedleyPEYC422322213
4thBella Luna702828Martin CrookPEYC358636730
5thFreya709696Sandy RobertsonBurntisland SC737478432
6thRocinante708989Greg MosgaiPEYC665564632
7thSynchro707070Mike MillerPEYC846885536
8thOld School703737Walter McDonaldPEYC584757836
9thFandango706363James WatsonPEYC999999954

The Scottish Championships, hosted by Largs Sailing Club, will take place from 12 to 13 October. Entries are still open, and more information can be found on the host Club website, webcollect.org.uk/largssc/event/707-regatta

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Last updated 11:03pm on 19 September 2024

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