National 12 events 2005
Scottish Championships at Solway YCSolway Yacht Club were the hosts for the Scottish Championships, sailed for over the weekend of 20 and 21 August. With rain forecast for the weekend the fleet were pleasantly surprised to be greeted by glorious sunshine and a light but steady breeze on Saturday. Race Officer James Copeland set a course out at the furthest extent of the estuary and the light winds were shown to be to Mark and Emma Simpson's liking as they drew out a convincing lead to take race one. Howard and Thomas Steavenson had a close race with Bernard Clark and Stewart Miatt with the Steavensons eventually claiming 2nd place. A brush with the windward mark left Ian and Margaret Purkis doing turns and allowing John Hugo and Adam Firby to pull past them.
Close racing on the water: photo Duncan Gillespie Race two saw the Simpsons once again pull out a lead which they held to the finish, with Clark and Steavenson once again chasing each other, but with the placings reversed to see Clark take 2nd place. The conditions on Sunday were windier with a steady force 3-4 forecast to rise to 4-5 later which turned out to be very accurate. The first race saw Clark and Miatt pulling out a lead after the Simpsons broached and later capsized, with the Steavensons claiming 2nd place. The Simpsons held their nerve and stayed upright for the final race, although the racing was so close that just 2.4 seconds separated 1st and 3rd places. The Simpson' crossed the line first to claim the Scottish Championship - the trophy returning to the Simpson family some 20 years after Ian Simpson (Mark's father) first won it. Ian and Margaret Purkis took home the Mariner Mug for the highest placed Admiral's Cup boat.
The Simpsons capsized: photo Duncan Gillespie Final Positions: 1st Mark and Emma Simpson, Scaling Dam SC Mariner Mug - Ian and Margaret Purkis The prizegiving: photo Duncan Gillespie
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