Friday Press Report

Day 1: Offshore Race Bangor and Gourock to Tarbert.

Defending Scottish Series champions Alan Milton on the Sigma 33 Pepsi once again proved their guile and durability when they secured a vital win in the opening race of The Bell Lawrie Scottish Series. It was only on the short, final three mile leg across Loch Fyne that Milton returned to the front of the Sigma 33 pack to win by only 30 seconds.  Milton, who will sail a Mumm 30 in the Scottish team for this summer's Rolex Commodore's Cup team, was a deserved winner after leading for much of the Sigma 33's 76 mile passage race from Gourock to Tarbert.  Having started in a pleasing 12 knot south westerly breeze at Gourock on Thursday evening, it was just before dawn yesterday when the winds became lighter and changeable. The main turning marks proved the sticking points with some boats becalmed at Otterard rock off Campbeltown for up to three hours.

Colm Barrington's new John Corby designed 38 footer Gloves Off was first boat into Tarbert, winning the passage race from Bangor and the Tarbert Shield.

The French based Courreur Nord owned by Lille's Gery Trentesaux won the big boat Class 0 after finishing two hours behind the first boat to complete the 90 mile overnight offshore race from Gourock out around the Ailsa Craig rock to Tarbert, Peter Harrison's Farr 50 Chernikeeff. Chernikeeff, steered by 49er dinghy crew Ian Budgen, took second.

In Class 1 it was Peter and Diana Fairley's well sailed Sigma 400 Pinocchio VII which triumphed ahead of the Australian built Titan 36 Anumula which is being steered by 1995 Scottish Series winning sailmaker John Highcock.  Other past winners were well to the fore. Graham Campbell, the 1998 Trophy winner guided Heath Gairns' Jammie Dodger to an opening race win in the Sonata class.