Count down to 72nd West Highland Yachting Week
WEST Highland Yachting Week takes place from July 27 to August 2 2019 with Tunnock’s as front line sponsors. This year marks the 72nd birthday of the event run under the auspices of the Royal Highland Yacht Club and Oban Sailing Club. For many sailors, it’s the ‘must do’ regatta’ in the Scottish sailing calendar. Set in the stunning surroundings of the Argyll coast, WHYW is a leading international yachting event and offers a winning combination of round the buoys and passage racing complemented by an excellent après sail social programme. The format of a ‘moving regatta’ with passage races linking three ports of call – Craobh, Oban and Tobermory and a day’s racing from each port has always been at the heart of the WHYW success story. This harks back to the history of the event when Oban Sailing Club, Western Isles Yacht Club and Royal Highland Yacht Club merged their individual regattas to give a one week long spectacular event. Most uniquely, the event gives the opportunity for all the family to take part, either in the restricted sail classes –The Argyll Fleet - or for those seeking on the edge competition in the spinnaker classes – The Tunnock’s Fleet Over the seventy one years of the event WHYW has always offered something for everyone. From highly competitive racing with a full Points Series, to the opportunity to take part for just a day or two, the event appeals across the board. It attracts seasoned racing campaigners, families and those who just enjoy passage sailing or sailors who want to try competitive racing for the first time all bound together by a special camaraderie which is still being enjoyed by some three generations on. Beppo Buchanan-Smith is once again chairman of the Joint Regatta Committee (JRC) that runs the regatta. Beppo said: ‘After the success of WHYW in 2018, the 2019 programme will have a similar format and an increased social programme following the fleet from Craobh to Oban to Tobermory Following the retirement of Malcolm MacGregor as Race Officer, the JRC is once again delighted to be led by Principal Race Officer Johnnie Readman. Johnnie has taken part as a competitor in WHYW for well over 30 years and is a well known face amongst competitors. JRC chairman Beppo Buchanan Smith said: ‘We are delighted that Johnnie Readman has volunteered to lead the Race Team as the PRO once again. As a long term participant and experienced sailor he promises us all a hectic, competitive but above all fun and enjoyable week on the water.’ The event kicks off with ‘feeder’ races from Gigha and Oban to Craobh Marina to muster for the start of the regatta. This gives the chance for boats from the north and south to compete in separate races to Craobh. Scottish Canals is offering a WHYW discount for outward and return passages for through the Crinan Canal and Caledonian Canal for all entries.
Craobh set to welcome WHYW fleet
The fleet spend two nights in Craobh and marina manager Alastair Spence said: ‘We are all very much looking forward to accommodating the fleet for the opening two nights of WHYW. ‘Holt Leisure Parks and the Craobh Marina team welcome both regular competitors as well as those new to the event to our friendly marina and the wide range of facilities on offer. We are also on hand if anyone requires any kind of assistance or has any special requirements so let us know and we will endeavour to fulfil these. We wish everyone fair winds and good sailing for the event.’ Facilities for yachts before and after the regatta are also available at nearby Kilmelford Yacht Haven, Ardfern Yacht Centre and Crinan.