Hay family sweeps the boards at Plockton Regatta
Clinching 14 trophies in a fortnight, the Hay family were the standout performers at this year’s Plockton Regatta Small Boat Sailing Regatta as the second week of action drew to a close on Saturday August 4.
With the weather cloudy and cool after the lovely first week, the second week of Plockton Fortnight began on Monday July 30 with the Ladies Centreboard Race for the Auchwurin Rose Bowl.
Three ladies entered and the winner, to complete a unique double, was Lucy Downie in Die Forelle, who also won the ladies local boat race last week. In second place was Alanna Rowe (Aquila) and in third was Julia MacKenzie ( Ffionair).
In the evening 10 local boats sailed in the third Plockton Trophy Race. Two boats were disqualified for crossing the line at the start and not turning back, claiming they never heard the commodore hailing them.
In the very calm conditions and a shortened course, only three boats completed the course inside the two and a half hour limit. 1 David Hay (Coruisk); 2 Ian Hay (Seolta); 3 Jonathon MacKinnon (Eala Bhan).
With one race to go for the trophy, David Hay has three points, Ian Hay has four points and Michael Hay has four points.
Also held was the fourth Ulluva Cup and the first Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup for centreboards. 1 James Smith; 2 Robin Smith; 3 Donald Gillies (Too Do Loo 2).
On Tuesday morning, only two Toppers entered the Commodore’s Cup. 1 Robbie Baird; 2 Hamish Hutchinson.
Gales in the evening cancelled the Exp-Commodores race which was rescheduled for Wednesday, but again strong winds cancelled the race with the Rona breaking her mast before the race. So it was doubled up with the final trophy race in the evening, over a shortened course in light winds and pouring rain.
David Hay won, giving him the Ex-Commodores Tray and the Plockton Trophy. Michael Hay (Nan) finished second and Neil Macrae (Rona) came third.
Results of the overall Plockton Trophy Race were: 1 David Hay (Coruisk), 4 points; 2 Michael Hay (Nan), 6 points; 3 Ian Hay (Seolta), 9 points; 4 Neil MacRae (Rona), 12 points; 5 Joy MacKenna (SeaRanger), 15 points; 6 Jonathon MacKinnon (Seolta), 16pts.
Also held were the final races for the Ulluva Cup (fifth) and the Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup (second): 1 James Smith; 2 Robin Smith; 3 Peter Smith (Tokoloshie).
Sixth race Ulluva Cup and third race Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup resulted: 1 Robin; 2 James; 3 Peter.
Result of the six Ulluva cup races: 1 James Smith, 4 points; 2 Robin Smith, 7 points; 3 Donald Gillies 23 points. Only six boats had taken part - the lowest for many years.
Three races for the Sgeir Bhuidhe Cup resulted: 1 James Smith, 4 points; 2 Robin Smith, 5 points; 3 Donald Gillies, 11 points. James retained the two he won last year giving him four trophies over the two weeks. He travels from Hexham every year with his boat (Inominate).
On Thursday morning the Commodore’s cup for Toppers was held: 1 Robbie Baird; 2 Hamish Hutchison.
On Thursday afternoon the races for Boys and Girls were held. Boys race: 1 Daniel Taylor (Taeping); 2 Robbie Baird (Scorrybreac); 3 Calum Hay (Nan); 4 Finn Storstein (Eala Bhan); 5 Euan Hill (Seaforth); 6 Alasdair Stewart (Ajax); 7 Ross Gillies (Seolta).
Girls race: 1 Marian MacInnes (Nan); 2 Ellie Pearson (Taeping); 3 Christina MacInnes (Seolta).
Also held was the Fossil Trophy race: 1 Robbie Baird. 2 David Hutchison; 3 Ellie Pearson.
On Thursday evening nine local boats and four centreboards sailed for the RNLI Trophy: 1 Robin Smith (Seolta); 2 Jonathon MacKinnon (Eala Bhan); 3 Lucy Downie (Coruisk).
On Friday, seven boats entered the fishing competition, but it resulted in the poorest fishing in the history of the competition.
Gavin McGhie won both cups for the heaviest catch 15lbs (two skate) and the heaviest single fish 8lbs (skate).
Ewen Cameron and Duncan McAndrew shared the prize for most fish (six).
In the evening, Plockton Hall was full with 150 attendees for the grand concert, prizegiving and dance.
Kevin Baird, next year’s commodore, was chairman and the audience enjoyed the local artists.
Eddie Scott, husband of commodore Ruth, presented the prizes. Ruth announced that Neil MacRae (Rona) had won the Starminx Starters cup, David Hay won the Cruising Cup and Ellie Pearson won the Junior Endeavour Trophy.
Ruth thanked everyone who had made the fortnight such a success. Dancing followed to the Suzie Simpson Band. On Saturday, four boats sailed for the Ragamuffin Cup. Winner was Calum Hay (Nan) giving the Hay household their fourteenth trophy in the fortnight.