Mist, rain and sun – it must be the West Ardnamurchan Regatta
The 2018 regatta saw the usual mix of weather that makes the West Ardnamurchan Regatta a fun and challenging event for sailors.
The Thursday morning race started in light winds and, with a good showing of five traditional boats and two modern boats, the fleet made leisurely progress across the Sound of Mull to Ardmore Point.
Soon the boats were well stretched out and, having given everyone a chance to get the hang of things and check that everything was working, the morning race was abandoned in favour of some well-earned lunch.
With the winds still light, the afternoon course was shortened to a couple of small laps in Kilchoan Bay, which also provided an interesting navigation challenge as the fleet had to avoid the reef in the middle of bay. Once the race was under way, there was a decent breeze and conditions were excellent for the shortened course and all enjoyed the close racing. Thursday closed with a reception in the marquee with great food and plenty of drinks.
On Friday, we traditionally race in the bay, which was just as well as the mist came down and Mull disappeared from view. We were joined by a sailing canoe and we set off into the mist in search of the first buoy.
It was more a matter of luck than judgement that allowed any of us the find buoys to navigate around the course, although the safety boats were on hand to provide
guidance when necessary. On the downwind leg, many boats were relying on a compass bearing and hoping the buoy would appear from the mist. We all made it round and no one got lost.
All in all, it was a great regatta with the usual stalwarts being joined by some welcomed newcomers. Huge thanks to the organisers for putting it together.
Sailing results. Ellan Vannin handicap series for Ormsaig Cup and tankards for first, second and third.
1. Geoffrey Campbell; 2. Bill Rosier; 3. Tom Colville. Drascombe races - Day 1 for New Zealand cup - 1. Tom Colville; 2. Paul Bentley; 3. Michel Maartens.
Day two for Glashven Cup - 1. Paul Bentley; 2. Michel Maartens; 3. Tom Colville. Races for other Sailing Craft - Day 1 for Portuairk Quaich - 1. Geoffrey Campbell; 2. Bill Rosier; 3. Colin Skeath. Day two for Challenge Cup - 1. Geoffrey Campbell;
2. Colin Skeath. Carraig Plate awarded for outstanding achievement in sailing - Richard Bowes and Gordon Peterson.
Rowing boys’ doubles - 1 Allan Curtis and Stuart MacLachlan;
2. Finlay and Alasdair Peterson. Ladies’ singles - 1 Katie Gane; 2 Rosie Curtis; 3 Catriona MacDonald.
Girls’ doubles - 1 Emma MacLachlan and Chloe Curtis
Men’s singles - 1 Alasdair MacLachlan; 2. Jonny Alcock; 3 Sebastian Duffy.
Canoeing boys’ singles - 1. Hamish Black; 2 Stuart MacLachlan; 3 Alasdair
Peterson.
Girls’ singles - 1. Morag Peterson; 2 Emma MacLachlan.
Ladies’ singles - 1 Katie Gane 2 Jo Cardwell 3 Carol Bowes- Alcock
Men’s singles - 1 Gordon Peterson; 2 Geoffrey Campbell; 3
Conor Campbell.
Boys’ doubles - 1 Alasdair and Finlay Peterson; 2 Stuart MacLachlan and Allan Curtis.
Girls’ doubles - 1 Emma MacLachlan and Holly Cameron; 2 Morag Peterson and Querida McFall Jr.
Mixed doubles - 1 Emma and Stuart MacLachlan; 2 Morag and Finlay Peterson.
Family raft race - 1 Snazzy Surfers; 2 Boaty McBoatface; 3 Floaty McFloatface.
Best dressed raft/crew - Black Pearl BV1.
Rowing boys’ singles - 1 Alasdair Peterson; 2 Stuart MacLachlan; 3 Hamish Black.
Girls’ singles - 1 Emma MacLachlan
Ladies’ doubles - 1 Caitlin & Catriona MacDonald; 2 Rosie Curtis and Anne MacDonald; 3 Katie and Amanda Gane.
Men’s doubles - 1 Neil Macdonald and Phil Shaw; 2 Alasdair MacLachlan and Justin Cameron; 3 Chris Gane and Jonny Alcock
Over 50s - 1 Geoffrey Campbell; 2 Anne MacDonald; 3 Debbie White.
Senior mixed doubles - 1 Neil and Caitlin MacDonald; 2 Alasdair MacLachlan and Rosie Curtis; 3 Katie Gane and Jonny Cheyne.
Junior mixed doubles - 1 Morag and Alasdair Peterson; 2 Emma and Stuart MacLachlan; 3 Rachael White and Hamish Black.
Canoeing senior mixed doubles - 1 Gordon and Lorraine Peterson; 2 Conor Campbell and Britta Simek; 3 Hamza Yassin and Hanna Cheape
Ladies’ doubles - 1 Katie Gane and Hannah Pollock; 2 Lorraine Peterson and Kirsty Cameron; 3 Joyce Colville and Rose
Men’s doubles - 1 Geoffrey and Conor Campbell; 2 Andrew Colville and Jeest Vander Verst; 3 Gordon Peterson and Dominic Younger.
Outboard races 3-6Hp - 1 Caitlin MacDonald; 2 Justin Cameron; 3 Chris Gane. 6-10Hp - 1 Nan MacLachlan; 2 Justin Cameron; 3 Chris Gane.
Power boats solid hull - 1 Gary Watson; 2 Caitlin and Catriona MacDonald
Ribs - 1 Chris Gane; 2 Stephen White; 2 Geoffrey Campbell.
Youngest competitor - Allan Curtis.
Best overall boy - 1 Stuart MacLachlan (14 points); 2 Alasdair Peterson (12 points); 3 Finlay Peterson ( 7 points).
Best overall girls - 1 Emma MacLachlan ( 16 points); 2 Morag Peterson (10 points); 3 Chloe Curtis and Holly Cameron (3 points).
Junior canoe champion - 1 Emma MacLachlan (seven points), 2 Morag Peterson and Stuart MacLachlan (seven points).