Square sails out in force at Walls
The Walls Regatta Club held a very enjoyable midsummer square sail event on Saturday.
Three boats raced in a light wind, which although steady in strength, shifted in direction from north-west to north-north-east.
The first race saw several changes of positions between Braakin Wind (David Thomson) and Krak-at (Jim Tait). The wind shifts played a decisive part in the final result with Krak-at first followed by Braakin Wind and Bluebell (Andrew Tait) third.
After lunch at the clubhouse the afternoon race saw Bluebell performing much better and only being overtaken by Braakin Wind on the last leg of the final triangle. Braakin Wind compromised her race by deciding to go inside the mussel lines at Linga. This meant she ended up having to tack, losing some time to allow Krak-at to open up a sizeable lead which she held to again win this second race with Braakin Wind second and Bluebell third.
A spokesman said the club was glad to see a new young dipping lug sailor, Robert Isbister, in his first square sail race. If the traditional Shetland rig was to thrive more young people must be encouraged to participate. He thanked timekeeper John Abernethy, guard boat skippers Hamish Robertson and Pat Isbister, Margaret Forrest for lunch, and all sailors who made the event happen. If anyone is interested in trying dipping lug sailing they are asked to contact the club. The next dipping lug event at Walls will be at the Walls Regatta from 17th to 19th July.
