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Blondie III, Eamon Rohan's Cork based Corby 37, retained their perfect record at the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series by posting another two firstplaces in IRC Class 2 in contrasting conditions on Loch Fyne today.The morning race was similar in many respects to the opening day, assqually gusts gave way quickly to a softer breeze. And as it moved stillfurther in direction there was a long delay prior to a short, sharp second race.

Blondie moved themselves sharply into pole position for the Scottish Series Trophy, as the only boat in the 174 boat fleet with four firsts from fourstarts.
Their Irish compatriots on Jump Juice, the Ker 37, jumped the start gun inthe first race and had to return to re-cross the line. Starting last theyworked hard to rescue a fourth but blotted their run of victories. Atoningin the afternoon race with a third win from four starts Conor and DeniecePhelan's team still lead IRC Class 1 with a five points lead.
Jump Juice was harried up to the start line by their fellow Cork crew, thecurrent Scottish Series Champions on Antix Dubh:"It must have been a close run thing whether the were over as well, theyseemed (bow) forwards on us and they were not exactly quick at calling usover." Explained Jump Juice's tactician Ruairidh Scott.
The second IRC Classes race saw the first leg shortened substantially. Withthe classes starting just five minutes apart, successful starts were vitaland keeping in clear air when all the classes immediately became mixed up,was vital.
"It was quite simply Loch Fyne at its most testing. The second race was onsuch a short course, with three runs and four beats, that the key wastraffic management. Staying out of trouble was essential." Recalled Maurice'Prof' O'Connel, the helmsman on Blondie III.
"The first race we came a bit unstuck but just worked and worked to getback into it. The breeze went from 270 degree to 310 on the first beat andwe were on the wrong side of it, while Rosie (nearest rivals in Class) wason the right side off. But it's as we said at our first crew briefingyesterday, on Loch Fyne you just never say 'die'. And on the third beat wegot a bit of shift and managed to get back in front of them.""But our crew work on Blondie was just fantastic. There were so manycorners in the second race, especially, that you just had to be on it allthe time, and they were."
Blondie III now lead their class by a very comprehensive 16 points overKeith Lord and the crew of the new A-35 A-Crewed-Interest, which is beingsteered by sailmaker and past Scottish Series Champion Steve Goacher.IRC Class 3 witnessed another impeccable display by John Moorehead andChris Ferres' J35 Bengal Magic. The Royal Ulster crew lead both races againon the water which converted out to a second and a fourth places to leadthis fleet by 10 points over double Scottish Series winner Hamish Mackayand crew on the J92S True Love.
The needle match between the two J92S's continues and they now share thesame points tally as third placed niJinsky, Robert Yates' Forth crewedboat.
Sailmaker Murray Caldwell is proving the potential of the Impala under IRCand has driven his Hooch to lead IRC Class 4 by two points ahead of RoddyAngus and Jimmy Houston's revitalised Stephen Jones half tonner Merson

Misjif.