Balloch’s Oban Duncan has admitted racing her Formula 4 powerboat in high winds was something she relished - even if her mum couldn’t watch.
The 16-year-old racer finished third in the F4 class at Oulton Broad in Lowestoft last month, with racing delayed due to the high winds and choppy waters.
But whilst mum Karen was forced to watch through her fingers from dry land, Oban says she loved testing herself in the challenging conditions.
She told the Lennox: “Saturday was fine, I was just getting used to the boat again because it takes a little bit of time each time we’re out in it again.
“Sunday was really windy though. They delayed it by about 90 minutes before we got out.
“They gave us the option and asked us if we wanted to go out or not. I said I did because I wanted the experience in the wind and I want as much time in the boat as possible.
“So I’m glad we did go out, but it was very windy.
“It’s very different. In the F4 you have trim, so you trim in when you go into a corner and you expect the boat to drop, so you’re able to turn it.
“In the wind, it wasn’t dropping. I had no control to turn so it was really different.
“The wind impacts a catamaran a lot more than a mono-hull which I’m used to in GT15.
“It was certainly interesting.
“I really enjoyed it though. I really like racing in the wind, which I don’t understand. I just prefer it to the flat calm.
“I think it gave me a better idea of what the boat can go through, knowing you can get through that wind and get out the other side perfectly fine.
“I’ve now got more confidence in the boat and myself and my ability to do a lot more with it.”
Whilst Oban relished the conditions, mum Karen was relieved to see her daughter back on dry land and away from her 50mph machine.
Oban explained: “I came back in and everyone was very relieved I got back in one piece.
“Mum was nervous for me, but when she saw I was okay and still enjoyed it - even if she didn’t - I think she felt better.
“Now she’s seen that I was okay in that wind then I think the next time it will hopefully be a lot easier for her.”
Oban and her team are now turning their attentions to the British Sprint Championships in Stewartby, Bedfordshire, on August 13 and 14 - which is set to be a packed weekend, with Oban competing in both F4 and GT15.
She added: “Stewartby will be a very busy weekend. We’re hoping to take the GT15 title again.
“I’m going to use it as more of a test for the Formula 4 to see what we can and find out what works and what doesn’t. It’s the perfect course for that.
“Our main focus will be the GT15 for that weekend though.”
