2017 sports review
January:
Alasdair Young, aged 28, was nominated for the Royal Yachting Association’s Scotland coach of the year award. The Tarbert Loch Fyne Yacht Club member said that finding out he had been nominated and shortlisted was ‘exciting and a huge compliment’.
February:
The Camanachd Association welcomed Tulloch Homes as its new principal sponsor for the Camanachd Cup, for 2017 to 2020. Jim Barr, president of the Camanachd Association, said: ‘The Camanachd Association looks forward to an exciting new chapter of the Camanachd Cup’s 121 year history and is appreciative of the support for the further development of grass roots shinty which will result from this partnership.’
March:
Shooting with a difference was the order of the day at Tarbert Gun Club. Members gathered on Sunday March 5 for the final shoot of the winter league. In a change of format, this was a flush shoot, with teams taking aim at a flush of 60, 80 and 100 ‘birds’ from the traps.
April:
More than 70 children travelled to Tarbert to take part in the inaugural football festival. Teams from Lochnell, Oban, Campbeltown and Arran joined their Tarbert hosts on the field for a jam-packed afternoon of football.
May:
The annual Inveraray Jail Break attracted more than 100 runners from across the country to the royal burgh on Sunday May 14. Starting at Inveraray Jail, the hardy runners were faced with the gruelling challenge of scaling 250 metres up Dun Na Cuaiche before returning to Inveraray Castle where they were met with rapturous applause at the finish line.
June:
As title contenders for shinty’s National Division this season, Inveraray knew it was crucial to take home both points against Strathglass at Cannich, which they did in style.
July:
After three rounds of competitive caber-tossing, Lorne Colthart from Lismore and now Blair Atholl was crowned world caber champion with an impressive performance in the final round.
Lorne was the first Scot since 2002 to win the World Caber Championship.
August:
Mid Argyll’s community swimming pool received a boost as one of the region’s most high profile people signed up to support the cause. MAC Pool will have Eleanor, Duchess of Argyll, as patron after she agreed to take on the role following an invitation from the community company’s directors.
September:
More than 1,200 athletes from Scotland, England and Wales participated in a series of hard-fought but friendly competitions in 20 sports at the Special Olympics in Sheffield. Iain Macdougall won gold, Flora Currie won bronze and Campbell Ferguson took silver.
October:
Lochgilphead Red Star 3 – Lanarkshire Forrest 2 Red Star pummelled Forrest in a Scottish Cup thriller at the beginning of October, with Innes Meikle levelling the score and Star’s Kieran Moore producing a moment of magic to put the home side in front.
November:
A professional sailor from Bellanoch has rounded off a successful year with two podium results. Lorenzo Chiavarini, 23, finished fourth in the World Cup in Gamagori, Japan, and achieved a bronze medal in the Enoshima Olympic Sailing week.
December:
The annual Christmas Shield competition was once again held at Loch Etive aboard the Laura Dawn II. Conditions were calm but freezing cold, while the snowcapped mountains were stunning and offered the perfect backdrop for the winter event.