Holm Regatta 2008

Holm Regatta 16th August 2008

A fresh South Easterly breeze was blowing on Saturday 16th August, ideal weather for the annual Holm Regatta. 27 sailing craft turned out for the biggest day in the Holm Sailing Club calendar. Various types of boat were present, some expecting to do well and collect some silverware, others just out for a good day´s sailing. Four Merlin Rockets were on the water, a welcome resurgence in a class with a long history in Orkney. A total of twelve snipe took to the water. There was good representation from all of the Orkney sailing clubs. It was great to see John Love again, making his annual pilgrimage to Orkney from Budworth Sailing Club.

The wind picked up during the day, giving fast and challenging conditions for most of the boats. An Olympic Triangle course was set, with the snipes and mixed centreboards having two morning races followed by a long Allcomers race in the afternoon. The Yoles had a single race in the morning and a single race in the afternoon.

Morning

Two back to back races were held in the morning. The mixed centreboards went out first, then the snipes. The Yoles had a single race; three laps round a triangular course.

The racing was very close within the Snipe fleet, Neil Foubister´s new No Fear won the first race, finishing ahead of Malcolm Tipler´s Go Quickly Red. The second race had the same three leading boats, Andrew Leslie and Rachel Roberts sailing Moonstone came in first, followed by No Fear and then Malcolm Tippler´s Go Quickly Red. This left No Fear with the win, on 2.75 points.

The Mixed centreboard class was quite different, with a wide range of sailing craft taking part. The fastest boats of the fleet were the two 505s, there were also Merlin Rockets, Lasers, a Fireball and an Albacore. Davy Sabiston´s 505, Best Kens, finished both races well ahead of the fleet. Best Kens was beaten due to handicap in both races by Brian and David Pottinger sailing the Albacore Barbarian. On corrected time, Best Kens finished second with the Merlin Rocket Ella finishing third.

Ella, sailed by Harcus Hutchison and Callum Rendall, won the Merlin Rocket class, finishing well ahead of Brian Kent´s Rural Girl. Souper Trouper, a new Merlin Rocket to Orkney, finished third.

Afternoon

The afternoon race was longer, two laps round the same course. The start line was extended to allow space for all the boats to start together. Best Kens completed the course first, nearly six minutes ahead of Barbarian. This was not enough to beat Barbarian, or the Snipes Go Quickly Red and No Fear. Barbarian won the race, with Go Quickly Red second and No Fear third. Best Kens was fourth overall.

Barbarian successfully won both the Mixed Centreboard and Allcomers races, as she did last year.

Yoles

Two Yoles´ races were held, both long triangular courses. It was great to see five of these bonny boats take part in the racing. Steven Flett sailed Lily to win both races. Mohican, sailed by Angus Budge finished both races second. It is always a fine sight to see the traditional wooden boats racing among the faster fibreglass dinghies.

The regatta was a great success, many people helped with the event. Many thanks to all those involved; the ladies, who provided a great spread of food at lunch time, the time keepers, Alfie Flett, Jim MacDonald, all the competitors as well as many others who helped make the event run smoothly.

Mixed Centreboards

Snipe Race Results

Allcomers Results

Mixed Centreboard Results

Yoles Races