Last update 8 August 2024

Regatta 2022

Burray Regatta

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Burray Regatta was held on Saturday 25 June 2022 in fresh conditions. Wind was SSE with 18 to 22 knots and flat water. The course set was a beat from the pier to the South end of the barrier then a broad reach across to a gybe mark, another broad reach across to the Burray shore and then a fetch back to the start line.

Snipe Class

Scott and Amy Tulloch returned to Burray this year to defend their Snipe win of 2021 sailing Perlavela. Unfortunately the only other boat to race against (Valkyrie sailed by Graeme Bartlett and Jonny Davies) who launched but returned to shore shortly after, shaken but not stirred. Scott and Amy proceeded to sail round the course in races one and two which was enough to give them the win.

Mixed Centreboards

The mixed centreboard class was dominated by the Lasers with three Radials (Joshua Brown in Pato, Erlend Bailey in Gwyn and Ewan Sinclair in Libertine 2), one Standard rig (Warspite, Andrew Leslie) and a Wayfarer (Smyril, David Clouston and ?). The course for the dinghies was once round for the first two races and twice round for the last race. Sid's Laser EPS was entered but retired before the first race. Smyril tried the spinnaker during the broad reach on the third race but a gust caught the spinnaker and she broached and capsized. Smyril was fastest on the first beat in all three races, but Warspite was quicker off the wind and took the win on all three races.

Catamarans

Two Cats entered: The cats went twice round the course. Awesome (Ian Rushbrook and Steven Bruce) won, Willy Flipit (Callum Rendall and Scott Johnstone) 2nd.

Conclusion

Overall the regatta was a great success, proceeds went to the RNLI. The racing was well organised in superb conditions and the winners were awarded fantastic prizes from local businesses (Sheila Fleet, Orkney Gin and Kerr Carpentry).

Stromness Regatta

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No less than ten snipes turned out for the annual Stromness Regatta on 16 July 2022. The weather was superb with a moderate Southerly breeze. There were also a couple of Lasers, four yoles and skiffs and three Catamarans taking part.

The day started with registration and boats being setup at the Ness slipway. A briefing was held and then the boats launched. Racing was held off until the ferry had departed for Scrabster. After the racing the sailors went up to the golf club for refreshments, soup and mince rolls. The prizes were presented by Stromness Sailing Club Commodore Tony Miller and Kenny Holland. Highland park distillery sponsored the event, many bottles of good single malt whisky were presented as prizes.

Two races were held, both out in the bay or Eyreland. For the dinghies the first race was a long triangle and sausage course. The second race was shortened to a triangular course.

Class Races

Perla Vela (Scott and Amy Tulloch) won the snipe class race (the John Hourston Trophy) finishing a good bit ahead of others. In the first race Double Dutch (Kenny Holland and Ewan Sinclair) got off to a good start but Perla Vela managed to get ahead quite early on, and then Mandarino (Malcolm Tipler) also managed to squeeze ahead into second place. Double Dutch finished third.

Warspite won the Mixed Centreboards (The Sponess Cup) and Allcomers (The Jackie Robertson Cup) finishing well ahead of the other boats. In the Allcomers race Perla Vela came in second place and third place was Topaz (John Orr and Sid Milton). Perla Vela won the Davo Harcus Quaich for being the first Snipe finishing in the Allcomers race.

Catmarans

The Cats did the long course on both races. Awesome (Ian Rushbrook and Steven Bruce) won the first race, Willy Flipit (Callum Rendall and Scott Johnston) won the second race.

Yoles:

The Corrigal Cup was won by Helga (Caroline Butterfiled, Maurice Davidson, Kian Brown and Blake Cawsby) with Servyn (William Black, Ian Richardson, Emmie) finishing second and Mohican (Angus Budge, Paula Hemsley) finishing third.

The three sail Yole trophy went to Lily (Flo Ungarro, Tiphane Cazenave, Craig)

For the second race the Yawls Challenge Cup went to Helga with Servyn second and Lily third.

Holm Regatta

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Holm Regatta was held on Saturday 23 July in a fresh and gusty South Easterly breeze. There was a good turn out of Snipes and also Catamarans as well as a single Westray Skiff and a Laser. Two back to back races were held. For the dinghies the first race was a triangle/sausage/triangle, the second was two laps round a triangular course. The event benefited from the generous sponsorship of Highland Park Distillery.

Class Racing:

A total of ten snipes registered for racing but a few retired during the day. Perla Vela (Scott Tulloch and Ewan Sinclair) got off to a good start and held the lead through the race. Topaz (John Orr and Sid Milton) was close behind but was unable to close the gap. No Fear (Neil Foubister and Robbie Seatter) finished in third place.

Mixed Centreboards:

Warspite (Laser sailed by Andrew Leslie) took the mixed centreboards trophy.

Skiffs and Yoles:

Bella (a Westray skiff with Sam Harcus and Darren Muir) sailed a shorter course and took the skiff trophy for the morning and afternoon races.

Catamarans:

The cats had a blast in the fresh conditions, they did the long dinghy course twice round for the first race. Race 1 was won by Awesome (Ian Rushbrook and Steven Bruce) with Willy Flipit (Callum Rendall and Scott Johnston) in second place and Plumb Crazy (Richard Flett and Danny Morris) finished in third place.

For Race 2 the cats did three laps of a triangular course. Race 2 was won by Willy Flipit with Awesome in second place and Plumb Crazy in third.

Allcomers:

In the Allcomers race Skeldro (Mark Taylor and Beta Rodrigues) took the line honours and also the win after handicap. Perla Vela finished in 2 place and Topaz finished 3rd. Topaz took the prize for best placed Holm Snipe in the Allcomers race. The Laser Warspite showed a good turn of speed at times and might have done quite well if he had been able to keep the boat upright.

After the racing the weary crews congregated in the Holm Community Hall for the prize giving, raffle and sandwiches and home bakes. Prizes were presented by Emma Thomson (Club Secretary) and Simon Kemp (Commodore). Many thanks to all the volunteers who made the event a great success, as well as Highland Park Distillery for their generous sponsorship; many of the competitors went home with bottles of whisky. Organising the regatta is not an easy task and once again Holm Sailing Club created a memorable festival of sail for 2022.

Thanks to Simon Kemp for the photo showing prizewinners:

Back Row: Scott Johnstone (crew on Catamaran Willy Flipit), Steven Bruce (crew on Catamaran Awesome), Ian Rushbrook (helm on catamaran Awesome), Scott Tulloch (Helm on Snipe Perla Vela), Andrew Leslie (Helm on Laser Warspite), Sam Harcus (Helm on Westray Skiff Bella), John Orr (Helm on Snipe Topaz)

Front Row: Callum Rendall (Helm on Catamaran Willy Flipit), Beta Rodrigues (Crew on Snipe Skeldro), Ewan Sinclair (Crew on Snipe Perla Vela), Mark Taylor (Helm on Snipe Skeldro).

Westray Regatta

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Westray Regatta was back on for 2022 and there was a good turnout of dinghies taken across on the Orkney Ferries Varagen for the event.

Six yachts took part with Nikki (Bob Inkster) winning both races. Near the start of the second race Samurai and Nikki had a collision causing some damage to Samurai.

Yachts

Race 1: Fergus Yacht Cup 1 Nikki (Bob Inkster), 2 Panache (Jimmy Clouston), 3 Enigma (Simon Butcher)

Race 2: 1 Nikki, 2 Harmony, 3 Panache

Smyril (David Clouston's Wayfarer) was in good form and won both the Mixed Centreboard trophy and the Allcomers.

Dinghies

Race 1: Frozen Food Snipe Cup 1 Skeldro (Mark Taylor), 2 Mandarino (Malcolm Tipler), 3 Smurf (Mairi Fleet)

Mixed Centreboards

1 Smyril (David Clouston)

Allcomers

1 Smyril (David Clouston), 2 Skeldro (Mark Taylor)

Lugs

Morning Race

1 Fly George Miller

Afternoon Race

1 Jim (Neil Rendall), 2 Fly (George Miller)

Skiffs

1 Tit Keith Kent, 2 J & B Louis Pottinger

Catamarans

Morning Race

1 Awesome (Ian Rushbrook), 2 Plumb Crazy (Richard Flett)

Kirkwall Regatta

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The 132nd Kirkwall Regatta was held on Friday and Saturday 5/6 August in wet blustery conditions. Despite the wet conditions the sailors had a great weekend of racing. Many thanks to the sponsors Kirkjuvagr Gin, the race officials, the various safety boat crews and the visiting sailors who made the event a success. Prizes were presented on Saturday afternoon in the Girnel after the racing was completed. The Orkney Sailing Club committee provided some very tasty hot soup, sandwiches and sweet treats for the tired and hungry sailors.

Friday:

Kirkwall Regatta started off on Friday 5 August with a pursuit race. The weather gave all kinds of conditions for the sailors with the gusty wind coming from the West, the sun made an appearance later in the evening. A wide range of sailing boats took part. Wayfarer (David Clouston and Robert Argo in Smyril), Snipe (John Orr and Sid Milton in Topaz), Laser (Andrew Leslie in Warspite), Laser Radial (Joshua Brown and Kavan Kynoch in Peto and Edna), Catamaran (Callum Rendall and Scott Johnstone in Willy Flipit). For the pursuit race the boat start times are all based on a race of 90 minutes and then start times are calculated accordingly. In this way the slowest class (in this case the Laser Radial) starts first with a three minute start sequence. The other classes are given a start time after the first start. The boats sailed round a trapezoidal course, Start, round mark 4, 3, 2, Lifeboat mark and then through the start line. The boats continued to sail round the course till 90 minutes from the Laser Radial start. In the fresh condition there were a few capsizes, particularly near the gybe mark 3. The winner of the race was Warspite, with Smyril finishing second and Topaz third. The winner was awarded the 'Orkney Sailing Club Challenge Quaich from Orkney Towage.

Saturday:

Dinghies

The dinghies had a long morning race (class races) then a short break ashore followed by two back to back races, mixed centreboards and Allcomers.

Lasers: For the class races there were five Lasers taking part, Geordina, (Joshua Brown with a radial rig), Gwyn (Erlend Bailey with a radial rig), Blue club boat (Kavan Kynoch with a 4.7 rig), Warspite (Andrew Leslie with a standard rig), Libertine (Ewan Sinclair with a Standard rig). Kavan Kynoch sailed well to take the win after application of handicap. After the first race Ewan changed over to the smaller Radial rig.

1 Blue Laser (Kavan Kynoch 50.0m), 2 Warspite (Andrew Leslie, 50.35m), 3 Geordina (Joshua Brown, 50.51m)

Mixed Centreboards Challenge Cup:

Smyril (Wayfarer, David Clouston and Robert Argo) won with This Is It (Solo, Colin Pirrie) in 2 place.

Four Snipes registered for the event. Unfortunately Topaz retired from the first race with a broken jib halyard.

1 Perla Vela (Scott and Amy Tulloch), 2 Valkyrie (Graeme Bartlett and Shona Brown), 3 Mandarino (Malcolm Tipler and Leanne Fischler).

Mixed Centreboards: Donald McInnes challenge cup

During the break after the class races John Orr and Sid Milton decided to swap into an Orkney Sailing Club Wayfarer, and Libertine (Ewan Sinclair) decided to change down to the smaller Radial Rig. Smyril sailed well with a bright red spinnaker and took the win. Geordina (Joshua Brown) had a bit of trouble when his tiller extension broke, he still finished the race but made a short run ashore afterwards to get a replacement.

1 Smyril (Wayfarer, D Clouston), 2 OSC Blue (Laser 4.7, Kavan Kynoch), 3 Warspite (Laser, Andrew Leslie)

Allcomers

The Allcomers race was held after the Mixed Centreboards.

Smyril showed great performance once again in the Allcomers race, taking the win on handicap by over a minute. Geordina took second place with Warspite only 8 seconds behind on corrected time. The under 18 trophy went to Kavan Kynoch.

1 Smyril (David Clouston 33.32), 2 Geordina (Joshua Brown 37.21), 3 Warspite (Andrew Leslie 37.29).

Catamarans

The catamarans showed some high speed in the fresh breeze, in the morning the win went to Willy Flipit (Callum Rendall and Scott Johnstone), Awesome (Ian Rushbrook and Steven Bruce). In the afternoon the win went to Awesome with Willy Flipit finishing in 2nd place.

Yachts

Harcus Hutchison's Harmony won the first race with Nikki (Bob Inkster) finishing in 2 place. Tsarina (L Pottinger) finished 3rd.

The yachts competed for the Orcadia Cup in the afternoon, Nikki took the win with Harmony finishing close behind (on handicap) in second place. Once again Tsarina took third place.

Prizegiving

At the prizegiving the J W Gray and Co. trophy was awarded to the top competitor overall through the summer regattas, this trophy went to the Laser 'Warspite' sailed by Andrew Leslie.

Port to Port

The annual Port to Port race was held on Sunday 28 August this year. Four boats took part in fine conditions. There was a light Easterly breeze giving a flat reach down to Hunda and then a short beat into St. Margaret's Bay. The route back was a single tack all the way.

Back Row:

Lesley Spence and Jim MacDonald (Timekeepers), Robbie Thomson (Safety Boat), John Orr (Topaz), Jack Moodie (Aquamania), Sid Milton (Topaz), Malcolm Gordon (Aquamania), Mark Causer (Tippy), Alan Donaldson (Smurf)

Front Row:

Emma Thomson (Tippy), Mairi Fleet (Smurf)

Kemp Cup 2022

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The annual Kemp Cup was held on Saturday 10 Sep 2022. 14 boats took part, a mixture of dinghies, catamarans and yachts. The weather conditions were warm and sunny with a very light and shifty breeze. The wind started off from the East but moved to the North for a time during the second race. There were lots of calm patches for the boats to watch out for.

A one minute silence was held during the briefing as a mark of respect after the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Many thanks to the race committee of Willie Waters, Margaret Hinckley, Isobel Tipler, and Duncan MacNair. Three safety boats were afloat to help out if any of the boats came into difficulty: Emma Thomson and Simon Kemp in Lena (Holm Sailing Club), Geordie and Lorraine Thorpe in Happy Hunter (Stromness Sailing Club) and John Tulloch and Matthew Vaughton in Hornet (Orkney Sailing Club).

After the racing the hungry sailors were rewarded with warm soup and mince rolls in the Girnel, and the prize giving was held. Many thanks to the committee and all the helpers who made the event a success.

Yachts

Centenary Cup

In the morning the yachts had the Centenary Cup race. The course had a start heading North, Thieve's Holm to port, Yacht West to port, 5 to Starboard with two laps. The course was shortened to a single lap. Samurai retired during the first race.

In the afternoon the yachts competed for the Maxwell Cup. The course started heading North, out to Thieve's Holm, then Yacht West to port, 2 starboard and a finish heading North. In the event the race was shortened to go directly to the finish after Yacht West.

Maxwell Cup

Dinghies

Tennent’s Cup

A selection of dinghies took part, dominated by the singlehander classes, Laser Radial, Laser EPS and Solo. The three Laser Radials had close racing together. The Laser EPS, Defiant, being the fastest boat finished well ahead of the others but the handicap brought the results quite close together. The dinghies started off with the Tennant's Cup in the morning. The dinghy course was start North, 3, 4, 2, lifeboat buoy, 5 to starboard. It was a long race but the results were very close after the various handicaps were applied.

The Kemp Cup race for dinghies was held in the afternoon. The boats were set to go round the traditional Kemp Cup course, a long race round Thieve's Holm and Scargun Shoal. Due to the light conditions the race was shortened to miss out the Scargun Shoal mark.

Catamarans

The Catamarans competed for the Orkney Sailing Club Cup in the morning

The afternoon race for the Cats was for the Errol Bruce Cup. The cats were sent on the same course as the dinghies, and were also shortened to miss our Scargun Shoal.

The Helen MacKenzie Plate was awarded to the top junior performance for the day. Since all the three juniors finished on the same points the decision was based on aggregate times from the two races: