Scottish Open Challenger Championship glory for disabled Grantham sailor Val Millward

Disabled Grantham sailor Val Millward has returned triumphant from the Scottish Open Challenger Championship.

Val won the Sandeman Trophy event and also landed the Consular Quaich for first lady and the Clyde Cruising Club Challenger Trophy for the winner of the last race.

The Rutland Sailing Club and Sailability member had travelled to tackle the unpredictable Loch Venacher for what was a spectacular two days of sailing.

Duncan Greenhalgh, the winner in 2023, led the first race on Saturday with Val coming second.

The wind picked up after lunch and Val took the lead in both races with Duncan coming second.

With only two races to sail on Sunday, Duncan needed to win the first one to draw level with Val had to win it to take the event.

It was an amazing race with Duncan leading, Val catching up and then Duncan pulling away again.

On the last beat, Duncan tacked too soon which left Val too good an opportunity to miss and she held on to the lift and tacked across the finish line first. She then went on to win the final race of the series.