Solway Yacht Club host Challenger Travellers Open Meeting at Kippford

Solway Yacht Club had one of the busiest and most rewarding series of sailing activities of the season so far at the weekend.

The club was privileged to host The Challenger Travellers Open Meeting. Challenger sailing dinghies are 15 foot long single handed trimarans, which are specifically designed to be sailed and raced by disabled and less mobile sailors.

Five competitors, including one aged 92, took part in four races across the weekend. The races were sailed around Rough Firth, the estuary of the River Urr as it flows out of Kippford. On each day an appropriate course was set by the principal race officer, Chris Nurney. Light northwesterly winds veering to southwesterly on both days made for interesting tactical sailing by all concerned.

On day one, all competitors completed the first two lap race by crossing the finishing line within two minutes of each other. First to cross was Nick Bett followed by David Driffill, Duncan Greenhalgh, Val Millward and Ronald Cameron.

The second race was equally competitive, on this occasion being won by Val Millward followed by David Driffill, Nick Bett, Duncan Greenhalgh and Ronald Cameron. The first day was rounded off by an excellent buffet supper, provided by the Anchor Hotel, for all competitors, their helpers and members of the Solway Yacht Club in Kippford Village Hall.

Racing on day two took place in similar relatively light wind conditions with race three being won by David Driffill followed by Val Millward, Duncan Greenhalgh, Nick Bett and Ronald Cameron.

The final race was as tightly competitive as the others and was won by Duncan Greenhalgh, closely followed by Val Millward, Nick Bett, David Driffill and Ronald Cameron.

After all results were taken into account prize