Sunny series brings the people out
TARBERT Harbour was a hive of activity during the recent Scottish Series.
As well as the action on the water, there was a marquee providing refreshments and entertainment for locals and sailors alike. The dance to Big Vern and the Shootahs on Saturday May 28 went down particularly well. The band’s blend of soul, funk and party classics had the marquee dancing. During the evening the crowd headed outside to see a fantastic fireworks display from Tarbert Castle that was set against the stunning backdrop of Tarbert Harbour.
The Tarbert Academy Parent Council had the cure for any hangover the next morning as they provided breakfast rolls for a small fee that went to Tarbert Academy. They were also on hand in the afternoon to provide lunches of burgers and pies delivered with a smile.
The almost tropical weather brought plenty of people out and yacht crews were only too happy to make the most of Tarbert’s famed hospitality after the hard work of racing was over.
Music was provided by the Mid Argyll Pipe band and Scott MacDonald, whose renditions of Postman Pat and Bob the Builder had kids running over from the nearby play park to sing and dance along. A hula hoop challenge also had kids and adults entertained.
THE SCOTTISH Series saw hundreds of sailors race in the waters of Loch Fyne to be crowned first in their class.
There was some fast racing and tight finishes, particularly in IRC class two where just one point separated the top three boats.
John and Brian Hall pulled out all the stops on Something Else in the final day’s racing to net a second and third which was enough to end the event on top of the table.
In the Hunter 707 class, there was no such doubt about who had dominated. Dara O’Malley and Seaword finished the weekend with a near perfect scoreline, so impressing Silvers Marine Scottish Series event chairman David Denholm and his committee that they awarded them the Silvers Marine Scottish Series Trophy.
Class one saw fierce competition between Jamie McGarry and Colin Moore’s Eala of Rhu and Rod Stuart and Bill Ram’s Aurora. On the final day’s sailing, Aurora netted a first and second to win the class by five points.
Oban Sailing Club had reason to celebrate as Richard Shellcock and Thrust topped the table in CYCA class five. Their first and third on the final day made sure they ended the regatta five points ahead of last year’s class winner Alan Dunnet and Valhalla of Ashton.
Having a great day out on the water, taking a second and a first, saw John Corson and Salamander XXII end the regatta in third place.
Despite being top of the leader board for CYCA class eight, Brian Robertson and Celtic Spirit slipped to third place after the final day’s racing. The class was won by David and Karen Parker’s Slippi Gin with Owen McManus and Jochur in second place.