ANNANDALE Sailing Club hosted its first 2024 open meeting for visiting sailors last weekend.

Eight single-handed D-Zero dinghies battled it out over the two days for the class’ Northern Championship.

Competitors came from Largs, Dalgety Bay in Fife, West Kirby on the Wirral, Leigh and Lowton near Warrington, Hertfordshire and Lee on Solent on the south coast of England. The fleet also included Moffat sailor, and ASC member, Richard Bryant.

Race officer Chris Nurney and his team had a challenging Saturday with light, fickle breezes making things difficult but he managed to get three races completed before everyone came ashore to enjoy a curry night in the clubhouse.

A better breeze sprung up on Sunday providing plenty of action and close racing.

The Northern Championship was won by John Bassett from Largs, with Dalgety Bay’s Ian Baillie in second and Richard Bryant from Annandale in third.

Meanwhile, visitors are being offered the chance to get afloat and find out all about sailing, for free, at the club’s annual open day on Sunday May 12.

From 12 noon to 4pm, the club is throwing open its doors to the public with tours of the clubhouse and grounds, find out about different dinghy classes and training opportunities and, weather permitting, have a sail round the loch with an experienced club member.

Club commodore Stephen Thomas Bate said: “We always look forward to the open day as a chance to showcase our activities and encourage people to find out what it’s like to get out onto the Castle Loch under sail.

“We are a small, friendly club and everyone will be given a very warm welcome.”

Visitors should come dressed appropriately for the weather, with soft soled shoes. Buoyancy aids will be provided.

Photos by Stephen Hinton-Smith and Mike Adlen