Dun Laoghaire Harbour sailors were at the forefront of the rejuvenation of Scotland's biggest Regatta earlier this week, when they brought groundbreaking technology to the Scottish Series hosted by the Clyde Cruising Club. This year's regatta feature was the use of robotic marks on the three-race courses, which Kenny Rumball of the Irish National Sailing School supplied and managed. These were controlled by the Regatta's Principal Race Officer and Race Officer for the IRC classes, Con Murphy, of the National Yacht Club.
The 8M Classic K22 Fulmar crossing the Smartmark finish line pin end at the end of the long distance ‘Inch’ race at the Scottish Series Regatta on Sunday 26th May 24 Photo: Con Murphy The new technology trialled in Dublin Bay a month ago at the Irish Sailing League allowed accurate start lines and courses to be set in the centre of the 200m deep Loch Fyne. It proved to be a game changer for this regatta, giving perfect race courses on waters where marks could not be easily laid or moved. The regatta clashing with the Wave Regatta in Dublin reduced the Irish entry, but above shows two Irish boats crossing the finish line together in the final race (Race 9) - Brian Hall’s J109 Something Else from the National YC and Shaun Douglas's First 40.
7 Game Changer from the Royal Ulster YC with a robotic 'Smartmark' pin end of the finish line Photo: Con Murphy Rumball brought 14 robotic marks to Scotland for use on the regatta's three-course areas: six German-made �.
