Sailing: Ruairidh Scott cuts corner to keep Fever on track for title

Led by Tarbert’s ex-pat sailing professional Ruairidh Scott, the J/97 Fever Glenfiddich cut the key corner at the island of Inchmarnock – midway through the 25 miles inshore passage race – to shrug off the challenge from 2011’s reigning Scottish Series champions on Jackaroo.

The resulting win served to keep their unbeaten record intact at the Brewin Dolphin Scottish Series yesterday on Loch Fyne. Fever were head to head against the identical Jackaroo again on Loch Fyne. But their audacious move made the difference, and the visiting English boat is firmly on track to lift the top award if they can remain unbeaten through Monday’s two scheduled races.

Winds peaked at nearly 30 knots in the bigger gusts out near the island, but an average of 16-19kts ensured that the sport was always fast and furious.

Such brisk winds were very much in the comfort zone of the big, powerful First 47.7

On board Playing FTSE, Jonathan Anderson and his crew were unstoppable in IRC Class 1 and lead their class overall. But it was the Class 2 winner, Salamander XXI, which won the trophy for the best corrected time in the Bowmore fleet.