Scottish Laser success for Tait

A Shetland-born sailor has become the 2015 Scottish Laser champion in the standard rig.

Calum Tait was competing in the event, staged Channonry Sailing Club at the Black Isle, last weekend.

He was also part of the RYA Scotland squad from 2010 to 2013, prior to starting studying Mechanical Engineering at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh.

He is the son of Colin and Mandy Tait, who were members of Scalloway Boating Club and raced dinghies for many years in Shetland before moving south in 2000.

Tait’s grandparents are Herbert and Nan Priest who stay at ”Brekka”, East Voe, Scalloway.

Calum said: “I was delighted to add my name to a very select group of individuals who have won the Laser Scottish championship, especially considering the challenging conditions.

“From a very breezy Saturday where we couldn’t get racing (although it didn’t stop myself and some other competitors from training in gusts of over 35 knots) the Sunday was a complete contrast with light winds and strong tides.

“After putting in a first and a second in the first two races, I was in a strong position overall. But with winds falling all the time in the final race and no discards, it was a nerve-racking experience.

“I managed to close out a fourth place in the final race which was enough to win the event by a single point, with the eight-times Scottish champion Pete Malcolm in second and another past champion, Iain McLaughlan, in third place.

“The win was made all the more special by the fact that I joined my fellow Scotland squad sailors, and good friends, who won the event in 2013 and 2014 respectively.”