Orkney Regattas 2015

Kemp Cup: 19th September

The Kemp Cup was postponed this year due to breezy conditions, the event was run on Saturday 19th September attracting several yachts and a mixed selection of dinghies. Lee Thomson's Phantom took line honours but didn't have a chance against Smyril once handicaps were applied. David Clouston finished with the fastest corrected time so Smyril gets the big trophy once again.

The afternoon saw six boats compete for the tennents trophy.

Catherine J finished first over the line in the Maxwell Cup race, but Panache took the trophy after handicap:

Eureka took the top spot in the Centenary Cup race.

Holm Regatta: 15th August

The Holm Regatta took place on Saturday with a mainly light, variable north westerly wind.  27 boats took part with 5 Yoles setting off from Stromness at 6:30am to arrive in Holm three hours later, dead on time for the 9:30 briefing.   The course consisted of 2 sausage shaped legs, each starting and finishing at the number 5 buoy in the west corner of the bay, giving plenty of action for on-shore spectators and some lively exchanges as the different classes sailed amongst each other and around the critical buoy; making for a sociable regatta!

There were three back to back races in the morning, the results of which were aggregated. The wind died away at the end of morning racing and then picked up after a soup and sandwich lunch for the final, afternoon race.  There was a wide spectrum of ages and experience and a strong junior class of five Picos.

The afternoon rain stopped for the BBQ at the end and the sun came out as folk left for home.  The Yoles sailed home to Stromness arriving around 6:30, making for a long 12 hour day.  The Holm Sailing Club would like to thank all those who attended and made the day so much fun.

Westray Regatta: 25th July 2015

The 2015 Westray Regatta included a wide range of sailing craft. Along with the traditional skiffs, yoles, yachts were a variety of dinghies. The Merlin Rockets turned out as well as quite a few snipes, and a few other mixed centreboards. The junior sailors were active this year in the new 'Bug' class as well as a group of 'Picos'.

Stromness Regatta: 18th July 2015

Sromness Regatta is always an important fixture in Orkney’s sailing calendar, and there was a good turn out of Snipes, Yoles and Yachts this year. The fresh Westerly breeze made very gusty and shifty conditions in the Harbour for the figure of eight course. Two laps of the short course were sailed. The dinghies and yoles had two races back to back while the yachts sailed a longer course outside in the bay of Ireland. Racing began shortly after the Hrossey departed.

There were a few capsizes during the day but no major problems. After racing the club arranged a great spread of food in the Golf Club where trophies were awarded followed by the raffle. Overall the event was very well organised with some challenging sailing.

The full results are available on the Stromness Sailing Club web site, and some photos are available on Flikr (thanks to David Bowdler). 

Longhope Regatta: 11th July 2015

Longhope Regatta started the Orkney Regatta season in 2015. In the morning the light breeze couldn't decide which direction to blow till it gave up all together. The first race was abandoned, then after some discussion ashore an allcomers race was held in the early afternoon. Lee Thomson's Skeiron got off on a good start and led the fleet round the course. After the racing the sailors were treated to mince and tatties as well as a cup of very tasty soup at the Royal Hotel. The prizegiving and raffle were held in good time before Terry drove all the visitors back to the ferry for the journey home.

This year the Graemsay schedule was changed for the regatta, which worked very well allowing the racing to begin in good time and also allowed more flexibility for the race management when the wind died off.

The yoles had a tricky time with the strong tides and light winds: