Tricky conditions for Glencoe regatta
Although numbers were down for Glencoe Boat Club’s annual regatta, the event was still a resounding success with competitors seeing great sailing contending the tricky conditions of Loch Leven. Only three boats entered the passage race from Oban to Glencoe. With no wind in Oban Race Officer Jean Aitken took the fleet to Appin for the start and the wind gradually filled in and increased for a steady kite run to the finish.
The BB10 Vaila of Peter Watt managed to get away from Eric and Irena Chapman’s Sigma 33 Amber Haze in the final stages and also took line honours. Iain and Myra Clark’s Roberts 34 Supertramp won the restricted sail class.
Winds remained light for the first race of the regatta day with Vaila again taking the honours but being usurped in Race 2 by club commodore David Southcott’s Trapper 28, The Black Pig. Although there was hope of getting a third race in, the race officer opted to abandon this given impending thundery weather conditions. Hamish Loudon of Lochaber Yacht Club towed two Solings down for the event with his Westerly Fumarole competing in one on the regatta day.
The best Glencoe boat winning the Ray Darker Memorial Cup was Vaila and Peter raced, with Neil Slinger and Ewan Lawrie as crew. Vaila also lifted the coveted Slate trophy for the best overall performance of the weekend.
Peter said: ‘As ever, we’ve had a fabulous sailing weekend and it’s a great honour to lift the Slate Trophy and that for the best local boat. We’re having competitive sailing on club nights and weekends and this is set to continue for the season.’
Commodore David Southcott said the club was grateful to all the visitors, particularly those who returned to compete year after year: ‘It’s so much appreciated since a huge amount of work goes into running the regatta by the committee members.
‘Thanks also to Angus Fyfe for providing the food and David Cooper for providing the prizegiving dinner venue