Regatta 1968

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Holm Regatta 1968

Perfect Setting for the Holm Regatta

With the sea a deep mediterranean blue, the sky light blue with the minimum of clouds, white puffy and at horizon level, a blazing hot sun and the lightest of breezes- such was the setting for Holm Regatta held in the bay in front of St. Mary;'s Village on Thursday afternoon.

Most of the grass verge along the village had been cut and crowds of spectators pickniked and sunbathed as they watched the white, red, yellow, orange, green, blue and brown sails of the boats in the various races. And later in the afternoon, between races, when they began to feel hungry, they made their way to the Community Centre where teas were on sale served by Mrs. D. Laughton and ladies.

Officiating at the pier head were Messers John Tait, Lower Brequoy, Secretary of Holm Club, asisted by Commodore W. Scollay, Mr. D. Wooldrage and Mr. John Sinclair all of Kirkwall. The course set was a beat to Ness buoy, a beat to No. 2 barrier, a run to No. 1 barrier and a reach home. Pomptly at 1 o'clock the warning gun was fired for the start of the first Catamaran race.

In the light wind which was southerly, the catamarans made good progress and Doondie (E. Brown) took an early lead. They were well clear of the pier when fifteen minutes later the Snipe race started, followed in another fifteen minutes by the four Rockets. Lastly came the three Mirrors and then the Orkney dinghies so that the bay was filled with sails and it was difficult to tell what progress was being made in each race.

A boat would be making good speed when all of a sudden it would run into a calm patch and it's sails would flap, while further behind a competitor keeping his eye lifting and watching the ruffles of wind on the water would keep his sails filled and sail past his becalmed rival. Such was the nature of the day.

By the time the Orkney Dinghies were at the first buoy the Catamarans were completing the first race and the order of arrival was:

Enterprises

Snipe

Rockets

Centreboards

Then came the centreboards race and for this there were twenty one boats forward- This was the race when the wind was most fickle, sometimes dying completely away and then blowing for a short time from a completely differnt direction. It was in this race too that the old rivalry appeared between Tyste (A Kirkpatrick) a Rocket and Feidh (W. greig) an Enterprise. But it was Firewood (S. Muir), a Snipe, that took a lone course in along the Ness and, getting an offshore bvreeze, established what looked like an unassailable lead over the whole field.

Following this race skippers and crews all repaired to the Community Centre for tea before the start of the last Catamaran race and the Allcomers. By thgis time the wind had freshened and there was a really good sailing breeze.

Allcomers

Then came the last race, the Allcomers, and for this twenty two boats were forward. they all set off on a cracking pace and Tyste (A. Kirkpatrick) established an early lead. The Surfrider (J. Widney) showed her paces and kept close on his tail but couldn't get past, and the Albacore Vanity (R Percival) was close on his heels.

In attendance all day were three rescue boats , Harbourmaster J. Wylie from Scapa, Mr. A Flett Snr. and Mr. Eric Sutherland. On such a fine day they had nothing to do but enjoy the races from various vantage points.

A crowd gathered in the Community Centre at nine o'clock to witness the prize-giving, gracefully performed by Mrs. Daisy laughton. In his introductory speech Commodore A. Flett welcomed all the visitors, in particular Mr. percival with his Albacore from Queensferry, those from the Pentland Firth Sailing Club in Scrabster, and members of the Westray Sailing Club. He hoped they had all enjoyed their day's sailing. He thanked all those who had helped behind the scenes to make the day a success and hoped all would stay to enjoy the dance which was to follow. Complimentary speeches were also made by Mr. W. Tait (representing The Orkney Sailing Club), Mr. B. Greig (The Pentland Firth Sailing Club) and Mr. Percival (The Queensferry Club)

There followed a very successful regatta dance to music by the local band.

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Kirkwall Regatta 1968

Record entry of boats at Kirkwall Regatta

The weather on Saturday morning, the day of Orkney Sailing Club's annual regatta, broke much too fair for the liking of those who were to take part in the races that day. Not a breath of wind was available almost up to the time of the start, and it looked very doubtful, at that time , whether it would be possible to carry out the day's programme.

By 10 am, however, the time for the start of the first race, a slight breeze sprang up from the north east enabling the officials to get the races under way., the first of which was for Orkney skiffs with inside ballast, in which four boats took part, all from Westray Sailing Club.

Many spectators witnessed the regatta from the pier head, as well as from various points of vantage at both sides of Kirkwall Bay. The weather was idealk from a spectator's point of view, but as the day advanced the wind gradually increased and by the time the afternoon races were sailed a nice breeze, although never too strong, enabled the club to complete their programme of races.

Fourty-four boats took part in the various races throughout the day, which must be a record in the history of the club as regards the number of boats taking part in the regatta, which were held annually, with the exception of the two world war years, and date back to the 18th century.

Taken overall, the regatta was very successful, and if the wind was rather on the light side at times, it was better that way than too much, and every one of the competitors appeared to be quite satisfied with the results and thouroughly enjoyed the day's sailing.

Orkney Skiffs

The first race, which started shortly after 10am was for Orkney siffs with inside ballast, in which four boats took part, all from the Westray Sailing Club. Owing to the light wind, the boats completed only one round of the usual points course, which gave. abeat to Greenfield, a run to Crowness and a reach to the finishing line.

Catamarans

The next race was for Catamarans, in which seven boats were forward. The course set gae a beat to Greenfield, a broad reach to Scargun and a reach to the buoy off the pier, the boats completing the points course in the second round.

Enterprises

Seven boats took part in this race - four from Westray, one from Kirkwall, one from Pentland Firth Sailing Club and the other one from Shapinsay. The boats completed two rounds of the points course, withFeidh, the Pentland Firth Club boat an easy winner:

Rockets

Seven boats took part in this class, all from the home club- Njord making her first appearance this year and skippered by Mr. A. Work, Craigiefield Hooouse, put up a great performance, to be runner up to Tyste (Ally Kirkpatrick), who along with his crewmate M. Gilbertson, have had a remarkable run of successes in the three regattas they have taken part in this year, winning no less thgan eight firsts out of 9 races, and being beaten then by only a matter of 5 seconds by the Albacore classd boat Vanity (R. Percival) from the Queenferry Club in the centreboard race at St. Margaret's Hope. Tyste on this occasion won first plkace from Njord, by the narrow margin of two seconds.

Snipes

Eight boats were forward for this class race, all from the Holm Sailing Club. Viking (A. Flett), who finished third, had the misfortune of being disqualified for striking the Greenfield mark, owing to the buoy rope floating some distance from the buoy. Valhalla, who secured first place, is now the owner of this cup, having won it for the third time.

Other Boats

Three boats competed in this race, all being of a different class for which there was no other race, but for centreboards and the all-comers. this extra race was run, the winner receiving a cup.

Centreboard Dinghies

The next race was for Centreboard Dinghies in which 26 boats took part. With the wind going more easterly the course set for this race was Crowness, Greenfield and the buoy off the pier, the boats going twice round the points course. This race also included a team race, with two boats from the same club being paiured together and the two with the shortest time winning the cup for their club. The boats presented a very pretty sight as they jockeyed for position before the starting gun, and also as they made their way for the Crowness mark, with their different coloured hulls and sails glittering in the sunshine. Many cameras were in operation and some beautiful pictures must have been obtainedin ideal weather conditions.

Surfrider, who finished second in this race, was disqualified for rounding the Greenfield buoy on the wrong side.

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Westray Regatta 1968

Perfect Day in Westray for Spectators

The Westray Regatta was held on Saturday July 27. The day could be called a perfect spectators' one. but the light westerly wind produced no thrills afloat. However, the weather produced pleasant sailing, and the wind was just sufficient to make the races competitive.

The M. V. Orcadia arrived at eleven o-clock with a large number of visiting boats and crews- six catamarans, two Enterprises, one GP 14, four Snipes, four Rockets, one Albacore and four Mirrors- 22 boats in all. The Albacore, skippered by Mr. Percival, hails from the Queensferry Club, and is paying us its second visit. Last year Mr Percival went home with the Allcomers' trophy and repeated his victory this year.

It was a very pleasant innovation to see a group of four Mirror dinghies with young crews (with some exceptions!) aboard.

Along with the seven local skiffs, and one visiting Orkney dinghy, the four local Enterprises, and three lug-sail dinghies, the total fleet was 37 boats competing in the regatta - a very colourful spectacle for the onlookers.

One of the local boats a skiff named the "Pass-By" is a completely new vessel built over the winter to his own design by Mr. Sinclair Harcus of Swartmill. It embodies a number of original ideas in hull design.

New Craft

Another new craft seen paddling about the bay was a two-seater canvas covered canoe built from scratch by two local boys home on holiday from Kirkwall School- William Bain and Michael Cooper. they were determined to have it ready for the regatta, and in fact hadd it afloat about a week before, atking only a fortnight to build it.

At the conclusion of racing, Nurse Stevenson presented the trophies to the winners, whi included Mr. James Bain, still sailing his skiff 'Maggy Jane' at the age of 82. Could he be the holder of a record for being the oldest skipper in competitive sailing?

The Sailing Committee wish to thank all who contributed towards making the day a success- the ladies who made lunch and provided tea and sandwiches throughout the afternoon for the crews; the motor-boat owners who freely gave their vessels and thenselves to act as safety vessels; the people who collected ; Mr. James Drever for the use of his bakehouse and not least, the visiting crews who put themselves to considerable bother to come.

We wish especially to thank Mr. Laird of Kirkwall for the cup presented for the winner of the Mirror Class.

Class 1 Skiffs

Class 3 Skiffs

Lugsail

Allcomers Skiffs

Catamarans Long Race

Catamarans Race

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Kemp Cup 1968

Errol Bruce and Kemp Cups

These two cups, both of which are for long-distance races, were competed for on Friday night, the Errol Bruce Cup for Catamrans and the Kemp Cup for Centreboard dinghies. The course set for both classes was Greenfield, Scargun, and back to the pier buoy, then around the usual points course, Greenfield, Crowness and back to the finishing line. The wind was light at the start, but the cats managed to complete the first three legs of the course when the wind fell away to such an extent that the boats were unable to round the first leg of the points course and had to be towed home.

The first three centreboard boats also got round the first three legs of the course.

With Kirkwall regatta taking place on Saturday, it was impossible to sail the races on that day, but it was eventually decided to sail off these two races on Sunday, to give all the boats an opportunity to take part, as otherwise many of them would be unable to compete at a later date.

The races for both cupos were therefore sailed off at 2:30 pm on Sunday, when the course was set giving a reach to Thieve's Holm, which the boats had to round, and then a beat to Scargun, back too the pier, after which they completed the usual points course. Seven boats took part in the Catamaran class and eight in the Centreboard class.

Errol Bruce Cup

Allcomers

The Njord was unfortunate in getting into trouble with her spinnaker shortly after the start, thus losing minutes before getting under way again. However she did remarkably well to finish runner-up to Vanity, losing first place by a matter of only 41 seconds.

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Port to Port 1968

23 boats in port to port race

Twenty three of the thirty boats which articipated in the St. Margaret';s Hope Regatta on Tuesdayt, July 30 lined up for the start of the Port to Port Race. St. Margaret's Hope to Holm the following evening.

The sun was shining. There was a gentle breeze, almost due south, when the five-minute gun was fired by Herbert MacKenzie. While the twenty three boats jockeyed for position. Dr. Hooker attended to the minute disc. Mr. D. Wooldrage set the stop-watch and details were recorded by Commodore W. Scollay of Orkney Sailing Club. The starting gun saw most of the boats practically on the line, but in the steady breeze to the point of Hunda the Catamarans gradually drew ahead.

Rounding the headland some kept close in to the Hunda shore and lost the wind, whereas the boats that kept oout in Scapa Flow got the benefit of a steady breeze and sailed past their rivals. the various coloured sails and hulls made a lovely picture in the evening sunshine as they approached the point of the Ness.

By this time a crowd of spectators had gathered in cars all along St. Mary's Village and at the point of the pier where the officials were ready to check the arrival times.

First to cross the line was E. Brown in Catamaran Doondie in 1 hour 53 minutes 25 seconds, followed 35 seconds later by W. Mainland in Alley Cat, another Catamaran. Four other Catamarans followed before J. Wigney in Surf Rider, the first of the other boats.

In all, six classes of boats were represented, and it was most interesting to see the performance of the small new Daily Mirror dinghies compared with the Rockets, Snipes and Enterprises.

Catamarans

Rockets

Snipe

Enterprises

Mirrors

Other Boats