Tag: D-Zero Scottish Championships

D-Zero Scottish Championships at Prestwick SC

On October 4, 2021

Report by Jamie Briggs – D-Zero Youth Ambassador – The D-Zero Scottish National Championships – 25/26 September 2021 – Prestwick SC

The D-Zero Scottish National Championships were really something special this year with 20 sailors signed up though some notable absences due to injury and Covid.

Some competitors arrived early on Friday evening, and the club kindly opened the bar and organised a Chinese takeaway.

On the first day, Saturday, it was looking like light winds at first but the wind whipped up to 12-15knts for the start of the first race, and then steadily increased. It was close racing on the exciting triangular course with massive waves to surf. The difference between first and last was tiny, with any mistake being very costly, and there was plenty of position changing throughout the fleet, and close racing known with the D-Zero. Ian Baillie lead the first two races, with Niel Ritchie taking the next 2 bullets. Jon Bassett was taking consistent 3rds and David Valentine, from below the border running consistently 4^th, though got the better of Jon on the last race of the day. As one of the lighter and younger sailors, I was holding mid-fleet, though still enjoying the racing and beating many of the older sailors at their game – experience doesn’t always pay off ! The conditions took their toll on a number of sailors and their boats, including myself. Unfortunately, in the last race on Saturday my kicker broke and I had to retire back to the shore. The D-Zero class is so friendly and everyone rallied around with help and parts to get my boat fixed for the next day.

Tired though excited sailors stayed for an Indian buffet, all part of the service offered, and shared tales of their sailing spills and thrills from the day.

Overnight results:

1^st – Niel Ritchie – Aberdeen & Stonehaven, 2^nd and by one point – Ian Baillie – Dalgety Bay; 3^rd – Jon Bassett – Largs; 4^th and by one point – David Valentine – Emsworth Slipper

On Sunday, the forecast was for higher winds, though the Race Officer did an incredible job, getting us racing despite the committee boat being unable to reach the race area due to a large swell. Extreme gusts and large waves made it survival conditions at times but exhilarating sailing in between. The ‘mental’ strong winds combined with the speed and stability of the D-Zero meant it felt like I was taking off on the reaches. I would have to say it was the most fun I’ve ever had in a boat!

Rhodri Thomas from Dalgety Bay took the first race, with Niel Ritchie hanging on to 2^nd, and Ian Baillie in 3^rd. I was performing much better with an improved kicker and Cunningham, so could depower the D-Zero and challenge the heavier sailors.

As only 2 races, I put everything into my last race, and managed a 3^rd place, after one of the leaders made a tactical error of rounding the wrong mark. Ritchie has another great performance and led the way, followed by Baillie. Valentine dropped into 4^th. A few capsizes for most, and some exciting gybes, planning off the waves and punching the beats, just having the two races was beneficial for all.

Videos were being taken by one of the patrol craft crews, showing off plenty of silly grins from the D-Zero sailors, surfing down many a wave. Shown on the Devoti D-Zero Sailing Facebook page, and kindly sent in by Grahame Pinkerton. Thanks to him and his cox for taking some great shots.

Neil Ritchie was the well deserved winner of the weekend – sailing away from the fleet on Sunday.

Prestwick Sailing Club did a great job at organising the event and whilst I did not sample one myself, I heard their Killie Pies were to die for.

Overall it was an amazing weekend with great weather, a super friendly club, top class organisation, and brilliant sailing.

Since I moved into a D-Zero each event seems to attract more and more youth sailors, and the D-Zero is so much fun and I can’t wait for the next event.

Jamie Briggs – 300 – D-Zero Youth Ambassador

Final Results

1^st – Niel Ritchie – 326 – Aberdeen & Stonehaven
2^nd – Ian Baillie – 336 – Dalgety Bay
3^rd – David Valentine – 66 – Emsworth Slipper
4^th – Jon Bassett – 306 – Largs
5^th – Rhodri Thomas – 148 – Dalgety Bay
6^th – Billy McCarlie – 265 – Largs
7^th – Jamie Briggs – 300 – Largs
8^th – Michael Green – 182 – Rossendale Valley
9^th – Scott Munro – 338 – Aberdeen & Stonehaven
10^th – Tom Whitehead – 128 – Prestwick
11^th – Stuart Moss – 251 – Largs
12^th – Eamonn Rankin – 242 – Prestwick
13^th – Richard Bryant – 189 – Annandale
14^th – Mike Grant – 281 – Largs
15^th – David McClay – 188 – Prestwick
16^th – Alan Henderson – 233 – Prestwick
17^th – Samuel Sloss – 111 – Largs
17^th – Stuart Khaliq – 141 – Largs

D-Zero Scottish Championships

By Paul Jefferies

On September 21, 2021

In Events, News, Open Meetings

On the 25th and 26th September the Scottish and Northern D-Zero fleets will convene at Prestwick SC for the Scottish Championships.

Entry to the event is available online and can be done by clicking here.

Prestwick have advised that the early entry discount has been extended until Wednesday of this week. With nearly 20 boats already entered it is sure to be another great event north of the border.

The Adventures of Zippy Zero – Zippy goes Doooune to the Wattter in Scortland

By Paul Jefferies

On May 23, 2019

In Zippy Zero Blog

Greetings from McZippy, the Zero after a happy weekend away tootling about with 17 of my DZero buddies in Largs at the Scottish Championships.

It was a long way to go, but not as far as for our long-suffering Class distributor, David Valentine from Emsworth SC and Tom Ballingham from Warsash, who picked up the long distance award! Still, it was well worth the long drive; spectacular scenery, impressive club, superbly slick and organised race organising team and very friendly hosts, although I was the only boat wearing a kilt.

Saturday’s wind was light but steady. We were set a triangle course, with a wee leg off it to take us past the committee boat each lap. I had a good start, but was sailing rather slowly upwind. Owner had moved my mainsheet inboard on the traveller, as is the Done Thing in light airs, but it was definitely stalling my sail out upwind. It meant a lot of downwind catching up had to be done, but that’s what Zippy excels at and I set off snuffling out those little puffs and waves that help me on my way. I worked my way up to 7^th place in that race, after nipping a couple of places from Tom McWhitehead and Billie McCarlie on the last reach. The next three races were all good starts and I went the right way, but just struggled with my upwind boat speed. Owner twitched and fiddled with my sail controls, but my face was wrinkled with frown lines.

When we came ashore, God Valentine spotted my despair and came over to look at my setup. He stroked a long beard that I imagined he could have had and looked long and hard at my creased sail. He poked, prodded and wobbled my battens and he said he thought they might be broken. I dropped my sail for him and he took a look inside. Then all was revealed – my lower 3 battens were in the wrong way and I’d been sailing with a floppy leech for the past 3 years!

The following day, I shot off upwind in hot pursuit of the series leader, Alistair McLaughlin and finished a respectable 3^rd behind Jon McBassett. The next race involved a gaggle of over-enthusiastic boats jumping the gun at the start line and a number of the non-returners were disqualified at the end of the race. The guilty Owners were Tom Overtheliningham, David Valent-over the-line and Jon Bassitontheline-and-then-go-early.

I zipped off to bag another 3^rd behind McLaughlin and Niel McRitchie.

For the last race, Owner got us on the wrong side of a shift and we were back to playing catch up. There were some tricky moments at the leeward mark when the other classes at the event – Musto Skiffs and RS200’s needed to round our mark. Owner bravely persevered with getting on the inside of these pressure sucking beasts of dubious morality. The unfortunate Zero of Jonathan McBriggs was not so lucky and was badly violated by two ladies (of possibly ill-repute) in an RS200 who barged in with no water rights and caused him to ram me up the behind as we rounded the mark. Watching him do his turns, I felt sorry for him for a brief moment, but reasoned that if he hadn’t lost so much ground luffing me on the last reach, letting God V through in the process and accepted I’m too Zippy for him downwind, he wouldn’t have been there. Meanwhile his young son, Jamie McBriggs, was having an ace of a weekend in the demo boat, bagging a few 2^nd places and making it look easy; clean off the start line, probably opening a bottle of pop, chewing on some Haribos and watching the latest vids on youtube on his mobile.

That race was to be the last and it put me in 7^th place overall. The bronze medal went to Jon McBassett, silver to Ian McBaillie and the Championship was won by Alistair McLaughlin – though I cannot understand why somebody nicknamed Stalker should fail to follow anyone, particularly me, which would be nice. I will have words with him before the Nationals.

For those who like to see the full result of the tussles I had with my friends you can find them by clicking here.

Zippy Zero 187

DZero.co.uk/Chichester Harbour Gin D-Zero Scottish Championships

By Paul Jefferies

On May 22, 2019

In Events, Open Meetings

With a continuously expanding Scottish fleet and with the D-Zero Nationals in Scotland in 2020 the fourth Largs SC D-Zero Open was designated as the “Scottish Championships” and as a result attracted 17 boats – 12 Scottish boats and five from south of the border.

Alistair McLaughlin (2nd at the Nationals), Ian Baillie (renowned RS300 and Laser Sailor), Niel Ritchie and Jon Bassett (both D-Zero hot shots) were all potential podium finishers while David Valentine (Tin Man) has shown really good speed when the wind is up and was not to be underestimated. Racing was bound to be close.

Race 1 was held in light to moderate winds increasing to the end of the day. Sailing was close and the first race went to the Flying Stork (old man McLaughlin) who was pushed hard by the Tin Man (apparently tin foil outer wear is the in thing doon soof according the Mr Valentine) followed by Ian Baillie – it was clear that experience was going to count …… or so the top boys thought? In Race 2 a local 14 year old lad with no experience in the D-Zero showed the old guard how it should be done pushing Ian Baillie hard and beating the Wounded Stork (pride that is!). Close racing was to be had throughout the fleet with Grumpy Latimer being pipped over the line, inches apart, by the Flying Doctor (wee Billy McCarlie). In Race 3 the wind started to pick up a little and continued to for the rest of the race, but still not much more than a force 3. Normal service was resumed in race 3 with Storky leading, Ian Baillie 2nd and a battling Niel Ritchie and Jon Bassett 3rd and 4th. They could relax as Jamie Briggs was taking time out to let others use the demo boat. Race 4 was sailed in good but reducing winds and Ian Baillie kept the pressure on Storky by taking a storming lead with Jon Bassett keeping McLaughlin honest. Four great races, with hot starting and reading the first beat being the rules for the day.

End of Day 1 – Alistair Mclaughlin counting 4 points, Ian Baillie 4pts and Jon Bassett 11pts.

After a burger and pint whilst watching the football, resembling the Massacre of Glencoe, 6-0 to Man City, the D-Zeroists joined with the Musto Skiffs, Vortex and RS200 crews for some excellent curry, and great food organised by Largs SC who also provided more than a few nips of Glenfiddich 12yr old “free gratis” – (yes the Scots are incredibly generous). After a great social, some exaggerated sailing chat, a wee bit o’ sarcasm and a few more pints the “honed” D-Zeroists headed for home.

Day 2 dawned with a bit of an overcast sky and zero wind and the race officer sensibly postponed for and hour or so. Much to everyone’s surprise the postponement flag was taken down when no wind was on the horizon, catching out many who had not even changed for sailing, but Tin Man was “oot thar” reflecting great optimism, if absolutely no taste in sailing attire. Racers from the forty plus race fleet pumped and sailed out to the start, when lo and behold the wind filled in – the race officer is a Genius!

Race 5 was fired off in a steadying F1/2 and the Stork was to show that there’s life in the old bird yet, but things were not too great for Ian Baillie who posted an 8th whilst Jon Bassett was on fire posting a 2nd and wee Jamie was up to his usual tricks by coming 3rd (potential in that lad we think!). McZippy Zero, 187, had given her helm (Liz Potter) a severe talking to the night before and ticked her off for having the bottom three battens in back to front, Liz says they were always like that! – anyway reversing the battens worked and reversed Liz’s bad fortunes to give her a flying 4th place. Race 6 showed how keen all the fleet were to beat the Stork with five boats being OCS, and only two going back. Jon Bassett was convinced Niel Ritchie had bribed the race team as he was sure Niel was ahead of him on the line – the only time Jon would be happy to say that- but he had to post an OCS nevertheless! The racing was as hot as ever and McLaughlin did it again with a win and Ian Baillie was further frustrated to post a 7th, 2nd place went to Jamie Briggs (really annoying those Topper Nippers aren’t they!) and in 3rd place was his dad, Jamie Briggs (who clearly taught Jamie all he new and a bit more besides). Race 7 was to be the last race of the day as failing winds and the earlier postponement meant the time limits would come into play. Another solid race from Storky Mclaughlin saw him finish 1st but Jamie was still hot on his heals in 2nd with a recovering Ian Baillie in 3rd (I don’t think Ian is going to be easy to beat as he gets more familiar with the D-Zero). Billy McCarlie (FYC) pipped Jon Bassett and Niel Ritchie to the line in 4th.

All in all a fantastic regatta with Alistair McLaughlin taking the title of D-Zero Scottish Champion and the rights to carry an “S” on his sail for the coming year – nothing like being set up as a target. Jamie Briggs retired as he was in the demo boat and didn’t sail all the races, but he got Top Yoof award and Tom Ballingham, Warsash SC, got the award for furthest travelled.

Final results were:
1st – 7pts – Alistair (Storky) McLaughlin – Prestwick SC
2nd – 15pts – Ian Baillie – Dalgety Bay SC
3rd – 20pts – Jon Bassett – Largs SC
7th – 43pts – Top Lady Helm and Correct Top Batten!
Full results at can be found by clicking here.

Thanks go to the sponsors, Rob Brown (RO), Howard Smallwood (Race Sec), the race team and Bosuns Table for a fantastic event. All looks good for the 2020 D-Zero Nationals at Largs.

Six Scottish D-Zeros head to their Nationals in Weymouth at the end of the month and the Scottish Fleet can look forward to more hot racing in Scotland at Aberdeen (ASYC) and the Largs Regatta in August, the Northern Travellers at Prestwick SC in September and the Largs Winter Series.

Photos courtesy of Marc Turner (Pfm Pictures), Gordon Cochrane and Martin Latimer (LSC)