Scottish Student Sailing Fleets

In a shocking turn of events, a group of Glasgow’s dinghy sailors could be found last weekend attending a fleet racing competition. A week before SSS2, fleets provided the ideal chance to work on boat speed and stamina.

Following a fun Friday night in the Dundee Union, involving a few too many pitchers, Glasgow arrived at the Tay to find breeze in the mid 20’s and one by one, with a little apprehension and a lot of kicker, they launched their boats. The morning involved some impressive synchronized capsizes and lots of hiking with two races lasting 40 minutes each. With a few of the fireflies choosing to stay warm on shore, the rest braved wind and wave for another two races, testing their ability to hike through the beats and plane down the runs.

Photo cred: Claire Valluy

On Saturday night, the sailors donned their finest tartan for a Burns night supper and ceilidh (with surprisingly no casualties). Glasgow’s own Commodore, Emma, gave the ‘Return of the lassies’ with roasting, rhyming and impeccable timing…

Thanks also to Fergus MacVicar and the band, and to Strath boys Huw and Jake for a bold and humorous 'Toast to the lassies'!

Glasgow's Ceilidh Dancing Sailors

Sunday began with a little less wind than the day before and the race committee blew through three races in the morning. The competition between Glasgow’s helms intensified on the downwind as they raced to the leeward mark to produce some close roundings. After lunch, Emma and Mike made the saddening discovery that a holey boat is a slow boat and had to retire whilst the rest of the fleet completed their final two races.