Last update 28 October 2022

Regatta 1989

Top

Holm Regatta 1989

Holm Sailing Club's annual regatta was held on Saturday July 15. The wind was strong north westerly, which kept the numbers down to 23 boats. Despite the strong winds a very good day was had by all, the rescue boats having to cope with many capsizes and mishaps. A very successful supper dance was held in the Commodore Motel in the evening. Prizes were as follows:

Yachts:

Snipe:

Mixed Centreboards:

505:

Catamarans:

Allcomers:

First Snipe in Allcomers: Kontiki K. Johnston

back to top

Longhope Regatta 1989

It was a cloudy day with light but occasionally gusty northerly winds for the Longhope Regatta on July 8. The fleet was rather smaller than last year due to the Findhorn Race. It was, however, good to see the three Yoles, Laverne, Irene and Pansy racing against each other again. Innovations this year included a raft race in the afternoon, which was particularly well supported and greatly enjoyed, and a rowing race in the morning.

Yachts:

Yoles:

Centreboards:

Allcomers:

Rowing Race:

Raft Race:

Junior Raft Race:

The raft race really caught everyone's imagination and was tremendously enjoyed by the large crowd and the competitors alike with plenty of good natured competition amongst the fifteen very assorted craft that entered.

Putting up a really good show were the young girls, Sarah McFadyen, Catherine Swanson and Dawn Sutherland who won the Junior section and actually came third overall on their Saca Dawn. Second in the Junior Section were Robin Budge and Nathan Crewe on bean Machine and third were Amy Collop and Sonya Crewe on Stupid. All competitors reached shore safely where they were treated to the hoses of the Longhope Lifeboat being played on them, much to the delight of the crowd.

The rowing race had a disappointing turnout but the six sporting souls that did enter gave the onlookers some fun. It was won by Charlie Bateman but special mention must be given to young Ian Johnston who made a magnificent effort and really pulled for all he was worth to try and catch up with the winner who had the advantage of a specially designed self built much faster boat. Third was Bernie Gillespie.

The club were delighted that a cup that was last won 50 years ago for the women's rowing was given to the sailing club by Nan McKay and it is hoped to have a women's race next year or perhaps a mixed race which should ensure a larger response.

A competition to design a club burgee had been held amongst the local school children. It was decided that Sarah Gillespie was winner of the junior section and that Jan Eccles was winner of the seniors. The design will be a black background with L.S.C. in red letters.

back to top

Westray Regatta 1989

The annual regatta was held on Saturday, July 29 under somewhat difficult conditions - a strong westerly wind and consequent choppy sea. This resulted in frequent capsizes, keeping the rescue boats very busy. While most of the centreboard dinghies were able to right themselves without damage and to continue the race, one of the skiffs, the Emu, with Jack Scott at the helm, capsized and had to be towed to the shore.

The sailing club is very grateful to all who contributed to making it a very successful day in spite of the conditions - the visiting sailors, the organising officials from Kirkwall and Stromness, the Pierowall Hotel for setting up a sumptuous buffet lunch, Dave Hume who provided transport, the ladies of the Lifeboat Guild who provided teas throughout the afternoon, Captain Dave Hume who gave use of the Westray Processors Factory for provision of teas and for the presentation of prizes, the collectors and those who donated, those who helped to make the dance a success, the local boats which provided rescue services.

Special thanks are given to the men of the Coastguard Service who came from Kirkwall in their inflatable rescue boat. They certainly got valuable training and experience in rescue work that afternoon!

Before the departure of the MV Arcadia at night, the prizes were given out by Mrs. Myra Sinclair, a local lass now married to a policeman, James Sinclair of Kirkwall, resident in the Fort William area.

Results are as follows:

Skiffs:

Merlin Rocket:

Laser:

Mirror:

Catamarans:

505:

Catamarans:

Skiffs (Allcomers):

Allcomers:

Yachts: Race 1

Yachts: Race 2

Enterprise

back to top

100th Kirkwall Regatta 1989

On Saturday August 5 1989 Orkney Sailing Club held its Centennial Regatta.

A field of 33 craft competed in very light winds, which were NW in the morning, but veered to the NE in the afternoon.

It was a day where some craft seemed to find wind, whilst the remainder of the fleet 'ghosted' in hope!

There was a pleasing increase in the number of yachts taking part, including a Shetland boat which joined the Scapa Flow contingent, who had sailed round to compete.

There was also a visiting Helensburgh Wayfarer in the dinghy class, to supplement the visitors from the other Orkney clubs.

There was a big drop in the number of class races in the dinghy scene, but because of the light wind extra time was needed and the whole programme was completed before 7.30pm.

Prize giving was at 09:30, when Commodore Mr. Bruce Dunnet, thanked everyone for their assistance in making their biggest regatta of the season a success.

The regatta dance followed in its usual happy way, with races being re-run, and incidents being re-lived until well into the 'wee smaa hours'.

Yachts:

Laser:

505:

Albacore:

Other Boats:

Snipe:

Catamarans:

Yachts: Second Race

Centreboards:

Catamarans: Scollay Cup

Catamarans: Short Course

Allcomers:

1st Snipe in Allcomers: Eldorado

1st Under 18 skipper: Soggy Slipper (D. Foulis)

Over the Line:

back to top

Inter County Sailing 1989

Shetland retained the inter county cup this year by the narrowest of margins. The final result being Shetland on 38 points, Orkney 39 3/4 points.

The first race on Saturday was for the Ladysmith Trophy which was won by Sunburst (D. Sabiston); Hustler (K. Leask) second and Assassin (R. Sclater) third.

The second race was for the British Legion Cup with Temeraire (L. Tait) first; Hustler second and Sunburst third.

After an excellent lunch the main race was held with the result giving Shetland their third inter county win in succession.

At the prize giving and dance in the Scalloway Boating Club, Commodore David Nicolson welcomes the Orkney team. The prizes were presented by Mrs. Hilda Nicolson. David Sabiston gave a vote of thanks to everyone who had made the weekend so enjoyable.

Sailing resumed on the Sunday with the first race being for the Scalloway Hotel Cup which was won by Temeraire; Mandy (C. Tait) second and Sunburst third.

The final race was for the Sharp Cup which was won by Temeraire; Hustler second and Sunburst third.

A prize giving and social evening followed in the boating club. The team representing Orkney were: Temeraire (L. Tait, B. Reid), Sunburst (D. Sabiston, M. Swanney), Smyril (J. Clouston and E. Gunn), Scarlet Lady (N. Burgess, T. Leslie), Mr. Happy (R. Moar); Soggy Slipper (D. Foulis).