Regatta 1967

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Holm Regatta 1967

Holm Sailing Club held its annual regatta on Thursday August 3, which turned out a bright day with a warm, moderate SSE wind and gave ideal conditions for participants and spectators.

Thirty four boats took part: 1 Albacore, 1 Scorpion, 1 Hunter, 4 Rockets, 6 Enterprises, 10 Snipes, 3 Westray Skiffs, 3 Other boats and 5 catamarans.

All classes used the same course, which was a beat to No. 1 Barrier, a reach to Glimps Holm Buoy, a broad reach to Inner Ness buoy, twice round, with the starting gate being omitted in the second round.

The programme was:- Class races for Snipes, Rockets,. Enterprises, Skiffs, Other Boats and Catamarans, a Centreboard race and an Allcomers race. After the Centreboard race the crews adjourned to the Community Centre where they enjoyed a fine meal prepared and served by Mrs. J. Foubister and her helpers.

The presence of crews and boats from South Ronaldsay, Westray, Swona, Kirkwall, Scrabster and South Queensferry added to the interest of the day's events.

The performancer of the Albacore in the centreboard race drew comment from all with regard to her apparently superior sailing capabilities under the conditions prevailing for, after a poor start, she worked her way through the fleet to finish first.

The young crew member of the visiting Hunter caught the eye of the spectators as he "hung out" on the ttrapeze. Those sailing could fully appreciate the skill and mutual trust required of skipper and crew.

Snipe:

Merlin Rocket:

Enterprise:

Cats:

Mixed Centreboards:

Westray Skiff:

Allcomers:

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32 vessels race at Westray Regatta

On Saturday, July 29, MV Orcadia arrived at Gill Pier, Westray, with a large crowd of passengers and sixteen boats to compete in the Regatta. There were four Catamarans, four Rockets, six Snipes, one Enterprise and one Albacore.

The day was fine and sunny, but unfortunately the wind fell away to a real calm just as racing began. No doubt it was a fine spectacle to view the boats gliding gently through a glassy sea, but the crews must have considered it rather boring.

The Catamarans took 1 hour to complete a 4 mile course; Rockets 1 hour 44 minutes; Snipes 1 hour 55 minutes, and Enterprises 1 hour 45 minutes. the traditional vessels, the skiffs, took 1 hour 56 minutes, and the lug-sail dinghies 1 hour 24 minutes (to do 2 miles).

By the time the Allcomers' races were to be sailed, the wind had freshened from the south-east, and with the ebb tide against the wind fairly choppy conditions developed. Much better times were made on a 6 mile course, the leading Centreboard boat completing the race in 1 hour 39 minutes, and the leading skiff in 2 hours. The leading Catamaran completed the second race in 44 minutes 46 seconds. The seven local skiffs, four Enterprises, and five lug-sail dinghjies made a total of 32 vessels competing in the regatta.

Prize Giving

Racing finished shortly before 8 pm and the crowd of spectators gathered at the pier head to see the prizes awarded. In past years this ceremony has been performed by Mrs. Henderson of Tirlot, but to the great regret of everyone she was unable to do so this year. Her place was taken by her daughter, Mrs. Elizabeth MacIntyre, who is holidaying in the island.

In her speech she referred to a point that is often overlooked - that the 'also-rans' deserve praise as well as the winners, for it is they who make the race.

After the prize giving ceremony, during which two special prizes were given to Mr. James Bain, who is still skippering his skiff "Maggie Jane" though over eighty years old, a bouquet of roses was presented to Mrs. MacIntyre by Vicki Mears, elder daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Mears.

A very successful dance followed the departure of the 'Orcadia' music being provided by 'The Scratchers' and the Drever bands. the prize of a half-bottle of whisky, donated by Mr. thomas A. Drever, was won by Mr. James Leslie; a box of chocolates was won by Mr. William Drever; and a mystery parcel, donated by Nurse Stevenson, was won by Mrs. Kathleen Burgher.

The Sailing Committee wish to express their very great indebtedness to all who so willingly helped to make the Regatta day a success; to the ladies who made dinner for the crews, and who slogged at it all afternoon making teas for the crews as they came ashore; to the collectors; to the drivers; to the boatmen who have stood guard over the sailors throughout the sailing season.

Catamarans

Rockets

Snipe

Enterprise

Class I Skiffs

Class III Skiffs

Allcomers Centreboard

Allcomers Skiffs

Lugsail Dinghies

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Twenty-seven boats and no wind at 'Hope Regatta

Twenty-seven boats were forward at St. margaret's Hope on Tuesday to take part in South Ronaldsayt and Burray Sailing Club's annual regatta- five boats in the Catamaran class, five in the Rockets, eight in the Snipes, three in the Enterprises and six in the Other Boats class.

First Catamaran home was Samoa (I Eunson), and when it is staated that it took her 2 hours 21 minutes and 11 seconds to compolete a 4 mile course one can understand what conditions were like.

It was decided to hold the remainder of the races at 2pm on Wednesday.

After all the boats had been brought home, crew and officials retired to the Cromarty Hall, where they were entertained to a very appetising meal- soup, potatoes, colkd meat and green peas and trifle, followed by tea and buns.

The ladies and their helpers are to be highly complimented on the excellence of their menu, and the splendid service rendered to the needs of the 'inner man', which left nothing to be desired. The remainder of the Wednesday results will be included in the next issue.

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Lively sailing at Longhope

A fresh south-westerly wind made for lively sailing at the Longhope Regatta held on Thursday of last week.

Catamaran

Rockets

Snipe

Albacore

Unclassified Boats

All-comers' Race - 2.5 mile course

Catamaran

Classified Boats

Unclassified Boats