#scottishseries – On form Waterford Harbour Yacht, 'Fools Gold' skippered by Rob McConnell, is toasting Scottish Series success in Tarbert tonight after taking overall victory in IRC class two and the overall Scottish Series title for best performance. The McConnell crew returned to Tarbert with some unfinished business on Loch Fyne having finished second in 2014. McConnell's A35 design was the overnight leader on the Clyde event but still had to complete the series and sail three more races in the 11–race regatta today. The Dunmore East crew finished on a race win this afternoon – more than enough to give victory – some nine points clear of British runner up Sloop John T. Third was former ICRA champion Pat Kelly's Storm from Howth. The National Yacht Club's J109 Something Else sailed by Brian and John Hall was fourth. Results are downloadable below. Fools Gold returns to Irish waters to compete offshore in June's Dun Laoghaire to Dingle Race. 

After four days, 11 races and some of the best sailing in Scotland, the crew certainly had the luck of the Irish taking the overall title, along with winning IRC Class 2. Race organisers awarded the coveted trophy to Fools Gold based on the best performance in the tightest class. And that's not all, the Waterford Harbour Sailing team received the Crawford McInnes Trophy sponsored by Hempel Paints for the best under 25 helm. They also take home the trophy for the best IRC class boat.

While Silvers Marine Scottish Series main sponsor Jamie McGarry may be disappointed to see the trophy go over the water to Ireland, you can be sure both he and Colin Moore will be back to fight for it again next year. Jamie, who has just announced Silvers Marine will sponsor the regatta again next year, praised the race officers Stuart Childerley, John Readman and Alan Cassels for their smooth management of the regatta. The race teams on both courses were excellent and it is testament to them that all races were sailed and none cancelled.

In IRC Class 1 it was Steven Cowie's Zephyr who came out on top. This was a hotly contested class all weekend and Jamie McGarry and Colin Moore's Eala of Rhu, who had been lying in third place overnight, had an outstanding final day. However, it was Zephyr who claimed the victory and it was wonderful to see Scotland's three Commodore's Cup team boats ending the regatta in the top three places, with Rod Stuart and William Ram's Aurora taking the final podium position.

Fools Gold on her way to overall victory in the Scottish Series and below her  crew at the prizegiving last night in Tarbert. Photos: Marc Turner

Waterford winners in Scotland: Brian O Donnell (mast) Steve McConnell (Bow man), Roy Darrer (helm), Marcella Connolly (mid bow), Rob Mc Connell (skipper / main trimmer), Graham Curran (trimmer one), Aaron Power (trimmer two), Paul Cotter (navigator) and Damian Purcell (pit man).

 

In IRC Class 2, and there was just one point in it as overall champions Fools Gold stayed ahead of Sloop John T and Storm who both finished on 28 points.

Over in IRC Class 4 and Craig Latimer who has battled all week, settled for a single point victory over Trastada with Irish hopefuls Lambay Rules coming in in third on 22 points. Craig won this class last year in his previous boat Wildebeest IV and will be delighted to have snatched victory again this year.

CYCA 5 This class was dominated by Geoff and Norman Howison in their new boat Local Hero. Consistent sailing by Enigma saw them in second and a great regatta for Ian McNair in First By Farr saw the crew clinch third.

CYCA 6 and the veteran Valhalla of Ashton who has competed in every Scottish Series tops the table again this year. She looked strong all weekend and was followed home by She of the North and Garth Wilson's Zebedee who took a very credible third.

CYCA 8 Restricted Sail. It was all change in the top two with Windhound pulling out an ace in the last day to beat Jochr with Eureka IV taking third.

CYCA 9 Restricted Sail – well done to Halcyon who had a comfortable win over Lyrebird with Poppy in third.

Sigma 33 Series has had tight racing across the regatta but on the final day Bradshaw and Gallagher did what was needed to stay ahead of Leaky Roof 2 and Donald McLaren's Sigmatic which took the third spot.

National Sonata One Design and Steve Goacher's Eric the Boat dominated this class all weekend. However Old School had a great regatta to end up a credible second with White Magic in third. Sadly, this class saw last year's winner Murray Caldwell in Red Hot Poker have to withdraw on day one of the event with a broken rig.

VX One, this class had some tight racing but Ovington Boats held their nerve to finish ahead of Robbers Dog and Zhik.

J70 Iain Aitken in boats.com dominated this class with straight firsts across the regatta. He was followed home by Jacuzzi and Django to win the Scottish Championship.

Hunter 707 More T Vicar stayed one point clear of Rammie to take the class ahead of Black Sheep in third.

Results

IRC Class 1
1. Eala of Rhu, J McGarry and C Moore; 2. Zephyr, S Cowie; 3. Aurora, R Stuart and W Ram

IRC Class 2
2. Fools Gold, R McConnell; 2. Sloop John T, I and G Thomson; 3. Storm, P Kelly

IRC Class 4
1. Wildebeest V, C Latimer; 2. Trastada, R Angus / D Challis; 3. Lambay Rules, S Quinn

CYCA Class 5
1. Local Hero G and N Howison; 2. Enigma, M and H Morrison; 3. First By Farr, I McNair

CYCA Class 6
1. Valhalla of Ashton, A Dunnet; 2. She of the North, K Halliwell; 3. Zebedee, G Wilson

CYCA Class 8 Restricted Sail
1. Windhound, D Macnab; 2. Jochr, Owen Mcmanus; 3. Eureka IV, C Frier

CYCA Class 9 Restricted Sail
1. Halcyon, S Owen; 2. Lyrebird, C Reeves; 3 Poppy, J Roberts

Sigma 33 Class
1. Busy Beaver, J Gallagher and M Bradshaw; 2. Leaky Roof 2, Harper and Robinson, 3. Sigmatic, D and A McLaren

National Sonata One Design
1. Eric the Boat, S Goacher; 2. Old School, McNeish, Galbraith, Chas; 3. White Magic, D Matthews

VX One Series
1. Ovington Boats, M Darrer; 2. Robbers Dog, J and B Shelley; 3. Zhik, D Heppelwhite

J70 Series
1. boats.com, I Aitkens; 2. Jacuzzi, P Hayes and S Hawthorn; 3. Django, C R Haworth

Hunter 707
1. More T Vicar, C Allen; 2. Rammie, M Fleming / D Smith; 3. Black Sheep, T Clark / S Parker

#scottishseries – Waterford and Dublin Bay yachts top the leaderboard of class two at Scotland's premier sailing regatta, the Silvers Marine sponsored– Scottish Series at Tarbert, as the annual event enters its final round this afternoon. Rob McConnell's A35 Fools Gold from Waterford Harbour Sailing Club leads IRC Two by a single point from the National Yacht Club's J109 Something Else, skippered by John and Brian Hall. In fourth place overall in the 14–boat fleet is former ICRA National Champion, the J109 Storm, skippered by Pat Kelly of Howth Yacht Club. Full class two results are downloadable below.

Other Irish interest from the Clyde includes Stephen Quinn's Lambay Rules lying third overall in IRC 4 where nine boats are competing.

Here's the latest available PR from the Scottish series after Day Two (Saturday): After a great second day of sailing there's still everything to play for in Silvers Marine Scottish Series. Super Saturday lived up to its name, conditions were challenging with a light southerly blowing 10 – 12 knots, but the sun shone and it was a spectacular day showing Argyll at its best.

There were plenty of thrills and spills and in IRC Class 2 Alistair Shires of Sloop John T became the first casualty of the event, after an onboard incident. Alistair swapped the waters of Loch Fyne for hospital but we're delighted to say he's fine and will be back onboard in the near future.

In IRC Class 1 Silvers Marine Scottish Series main sponsor Jamie McGarry is now leading the table having had a great day on Loch Fyne. Rod Stuart and William Ram's Aurora is just two points adrift of the top spot with Steven Cowie's Zephyr falling to third. With two races tomorrow we're looking forward to some more fierce competition on the water.

IRC 2 sees a change at the top with Sloop John T taking the top spot. The conditions suited the boat perfectly and this coupled with good tactics and handling saw them rewarded. Something Else remains in second and Kevin Aitken in Animal keep a hold of their third spot.

Moving onto the IRC Class 4 and the start of the Crewsaver course and it was Roddy Angus' Trastada who had the best day and really found their pace. They're seeing their hard work paying off following a major boat optimisation. Craig Latimer's Wildebeest V falls to second following an OCS and McVey / Darge and Black's Phoenix rises to third. The racing in this class is very tight and tomorrow's racing will be very interesting.

In CYCA Class 5 Geoff and Norman Howison's Local Hero appears to be in a class of their own. They stay well ahead of Howard Morrison in Enigma and Ian Macdonald's Significant who had an excellent day.

It's still Alan Dunnet's Valhalla of Ashton at the top of CYCA Class 6 leading Stargazer in second, while Andy Malcolm's Nemo was finding pace in third.

CYCA Class 8 Restricted Sail. The Jochr in the pack pulled a lead of two points ahead of Windhound and North Star in third. There are no discards in this class yet and Windhound could still hang in there but will have to discard a retrial.

CYCA Class 9 Restricted Sail sees Stephen Owen in Halcyon hanging on to first while John Roberts' Poppy leapfrogs Clive Reeves' Lyrebird to take third.

Sigma 33 Class and its still Harper and Robinson's Leaky Roof 2 at the top of this tightly grouped section. Gallagher and Bradshaw's Busy Beaver worked hard to take second place from James Miller's Mayrise.

In National One Design Sonata Series Steve Goacher's Eric the Boat took three firsts today to see him dominate this class. Cochrane and Galbraith's Old School, lying in second, secured three seconds while D Matthew's White Magic holds onto third.

Ovington Boats maintain their lead in the VX Class ahead of Jono and Benji Shelly's Robber's Dog, who was let off the lead, in second and Duncan Hepplewhite's Zhik who was barking up the wrong tree today in third.

The J70 Scottish Championships table stays the same with Ian Aitken in boats.com in first, Paul Heys and S Hawthorn's Jacuzzi in second and Christopher Hawforth's Django in third. These boats enjoyed a great day's sailing and Loch Fyne certainly suited them.

It's tight at the top of the Hunter 707 Class with just three points separating the first three boats. M Fleming and D Smith's Rammie leads with Carl Allen's More T Vicar with T Clark and S Parker's Black Sheep in third.

#scottishseries – After a number of big drops in attendance at Scotland's premier sailing event, the Clyde Cruising Club (CCC) is surveying sailors to improve the set up for the 2015 Scottish Series to be sailed at Tarbert, Loch Fyne from May 25th. In a questionnaire released by the CCC the club says: 

'At the Clyde Cruising Club we are very proud of our headline annual event Scottish Series. We are however very aware that times keep changing as do the desires and requirements of our "customers" especially given greater demands on peoples time.

We would like to gather as much feedback on our event as possible therefore we have created a small survey and ask that as many Scottish Series participants past and present (or potential participants) complete it. We have deliberately not prepared a tick box questionnaire so as to not have leading questions. So that it will not take long to complete and as we also only have limited time in which to read them all we would ask that you keep responses short and succinct....

All the questions refer to a specific part of the regatta; venue, social, racing etc.

Please give feedback on what could be done to improve each aspect, why it would improve it and what do you not like about the current set up. We will try and take it all on board and do what we can to take the best of the suggestions to improve the experience for all competitors on aspects that are within our control i.e. please dont ask us for more sunshine!!! Please feel free to forward the survey to other interested parties.

We look forward to seeing you all on 22nd May 2015. -- Scottish Series Organising Team

Survey here

#scottishseries – Day one of the Silvers Marine Scottish Series got off to a slightly later start than billed due to light winds. IRC Class 1 left Gourock at 10.30am and, from the start, Steve Cowie's Zephyr and Jonathan Anderson and Murray Caldwell's Roxstar made the running.

Conditions seemed to favour the boats which chose to start from the Gourock shore and the other boats which had elected to start from offshore found they had to come back in, which cost them considerable time.

But it wasn't all plain sailing at the front as Roxstar led Zephyr round the wrong marker, on the wrong course which meant both boats had to go back and get on the right course. Today was a real hard, tactical day for the IRC Class 1 boats and this, combined with the navigational issues meant that Friday's racing was much closer than anticipated.
However, the day concluded with a win to Zephyr with Jamie McGarry and Colin Moore, of Silvers Marine, in Eala of Rhu claiming a well-deserved second and Jim Dick in Fortuna clinching third.

In IRC Class 2 Kevin Aitken in Animal goes into tomorrow ahead after winning their class by 7 minutes, making yachts such as Neill Sandford's Now or Never 3 and John Corson's Salamander XXI playing catch up.
As well as the Clyde Passenger Challenge Race the MalinWaters fleet which includes the one design Sigma 33's, Sonta's and sport boats had four very successful races on upper Loch Fyne. In the Sigma's it's very tight at the front with Donald McLaren in Sigmatic followed by Harold Hood in Odyssey II and Roy Summers in Rajah.

In the Sonata's Murray Caldwell in Red Hot Poker goes into tomorrow with a comfortable ten point lead over Mark Taylor in Saraband and Mark Bradshaw in Mostly Harmless.
Today has seen some very tight racing but there's one certainty – it's great to see Scottish Series underway on Loch Fyne!

#scottishseries – The fleet of close to 100 boats will start four days of competitive racing on Friday 23 May. With a number of coveted trophies on the table that will need tactics, skill and experience to win.

Separated into classes the yachts sail with those of similar size, speed and design. The One design classes like the Sigma 33's will definitely deliver close results. Last years winners Sigmatic are back to defend their title and Mayrise who took second place, after a series finish on equal points, is ready to fight back. The same result is true of IRC Class One yachts Zephyr and Roxstar who will be tussling for line honours and keeping ahead of a very competitive fleet of fine yachts. Eyes will be on current IRC Class 2 champion Salamander XXl whose skipper John Corson is believed to be one of a select few who has competed in all 40 Scottish Series events. Can Salamander XXl win the overall trophy as in 2010 or could this be a year for Jonathan Anderson's Roxstar to get a 4th win of this prestigious trophy as the event celebrates its 40th anniversary? The event is steeped in history and it is a very significant year to have your name engraved on the silverware.

The social plans for the event, after the tensions of a day's racing, will ensure there is fun shoreside. The bars and restaurants will be ready to provide much needed refreshments and food. The event marquee will host a daily prize-giving, 1830 -1930hrs, followed by live music 2100 – 0100hrs by local band Dance to the Democrats. Marking the 40th celebrations will be a gathering for all participants on Saturday 24th from 5pm. This will be supported by sponsors McEwan's and Botanist Gin, and will feature an anniversary cake provided by a stoic supporter of the regatta, Tunnocks Bakery. It doesn't stop there – fireworks on Saturday evening will light up Tarbert village. Throughout the weekend there will be dinghy sailing sessions coordinated by Stramash while an array of local produce and workshops will be available around the picturesque village.

 

Race schedule:
Friday 23 May. Start A – Gourock
Start B – Tarbert Loch Fyne
Conclusion of days racing: Tarbert Loch Fyne for all classes.
Subsequent races: Loch Fyne. Scheduled start time daily is 11:00hrs.
Yachts will be berthing in Tarbert Harbour and Portavadie Marina.

 

Scotland's most best known yacht racing regatta has announced headline sponsors Silvers Marine. The new owners of the iconic Scottish Boatyard Silver Hills, Rosneath, have confirmed their support and sponsorship for the 40th Anniversary of the Scottish Series Regatta.

The event, organised by the Clyde Cruising Club (CCC), has gained much recognition over the years and will be celebrating 40 years of success as Silvers Marine Scottish Series 2014. Hosted in the west coast village of Tarbert Loch Fyne this is a popular event for sailors from Scotland, Ireland, England and abroad.

Rhu, based GSS Group very recently concluded the purchase of Silvers Marine. Jamie McGarry, owner of GSS Marine Services, says "As a re-launch of the yard and the Silvers brand we are delighted to partner with the CCC in sponsoring the Scottish Series. This is particularly exciting given the 40th celebrations this year in Tarbert. Scottish Series is a magnificent event run by the army of volunteers and club officials from the CCC. To be able to support this and indeed participate in the event is tremendously exciting for all at Silvers and GSS." GSS have already supported other sailing regattas on the Clyde and their involvement will add great value to this event for all in attendance.

The Silvers Marine Scottish Series 2014 will commence with a race from Gourock to Tarbert on Friday 23 May scheduled to start at 10:00hrs. This will be a spectacular site with many yachts tussling on the start line including Ocean Racers Drum and Clyde Challenger. The race programme will then include further races on Loch Fyne on Saturday 24 - Monday 26 May with the Regatta concluding with the prize giving in Tarbert on Monday 26 April after completion of racing.

Forty years on and sailors from all round Scotland, Ireland and further afield shall gather from the 23–26 May 2014 to participate in the Scottish Series yacht race organised by the Clyde Cruising Club, CCC. The scenic west coast village of Tarbert, Loch Fyne, aims to welcome over 100 yachts into the harbour where shore side hospitality will be enjoyed as much as the four days of competitive racing.

This event has evolved since its inception in 1973 where it grew from an offshore passage race from the Clyde to Tobermory. Like any good idea that attracts people it has been shaped over the years responding to the sailors, developments in boats and changes in lifestyles. For the 40th celebration the Organiser's have selected key ingredients of the last 4 decades and created an attractive programme, which once again makes this a priority event for yacht sailors.

Recently, shorter and increased quantity of races has been the trend, whereas the series used to have passage races of 200miles! The 2014 racing schedule will not disappoint with the "Clyde Challanger Passage Race" from Gourock to Tarbert. The CCC welcome this sponsorship of the Clyde Challenger and are excited by the inclusion of an offshore, round the world yacht taking part in the event. Skipper Glenn Porter is delighted for the Clyde Challenger to be supporting the opening race of the series. The Royal Gourock Yacht Club has long been involved in the regatta and it is a wonderful sight watching the boats muster in the upper Clyde with crews preparing, sails hoisting, adrenaline pumping as the yachts anticipate the start gun. With action close to shore this offers a great opportunity for spectators to catch a glimpse of the excitement of the sport and skills of the sailors.

The success of this event is owed to commitment and hard work of volunteers and sponsorship of public agency and private sector companies. Event Scotland recognises the importance of this event on the Scottish calendar and Principle Race Officer John Readman reflects on 2013 where " the CCC were very pleased to join with Event Scotland supporting the Year of Natural Scotland 2013. Its emphasis on our natural landscape and the opportunities for outdoor pursuits confirms how fortunate we are to have the Clyde and Loch Fyne on our doorstep."

Ocean sailors venturing south of the equator seek the Roaring Forties for breeze and excitement. There is no doubt that the 40th Scottish Series will be a roaring success and we anticipate sailors and families who have enjoyed it in the past returning along with new friends providing super sailing and showcasing Scotland's scenery and wonderful sailing waters.

#scottishseries – Liam Shanahan's J109 Ruth finished fifth in Class II of the Scottish Series at the weekend, the best of a handful of Irish boats at the Loch Fyne venue this year. Ruth from the National Yacht Club finished fifth from 11 in fleet and two points adrift off Fairlie entry, the Sunfast 37 More Misjif. Galway Class II entry The Gathering was ninth.

Selected overall results of Irish interest are downloadable below as jpeg files for IRC classes 1,2 and 3.

Numbers were way down on the heyday years of 300 plus with just over 80 confirmed this year.

With Antix (Anthony and Peter O'Leary) in offshore mode on the Solent last weekend the Cork yacht did not attend the Clyde leaving the Carrickfergus J133 Jacana ( AB Douglas) as sole Irish entry in class one and finishing seventh from 11 overall.

Though appearing on the entry list the results sheet (see below) suggests Class III Cathal Drohans's Legally Blonde from the Royal St. George YC did not travel.  Likewise in class II, Dun Laoghaire's Something else (John Hall) is recorded as Did Not Start.

Neil Marchant's Showgril from Waterfrod Harbour SC was 9th from 14 in class 6.

The Discover Ireland sailing team that featured in WM Nixon's Saturday Sailing blog debuted on Galway bay in the Clarenbridge trophy offshore race yesterday.

The race is sailed over a course from the GBSC start line at Renville to Finis Rock off Inis Oir then onto Canon Rock in the entrance to Rossaveal Harbour before a finish in Renville total distance approx 60 miles.

Yesterday's race saw winds between 25-40 knots which made for a tough beat all the way to Inis oir, but Discover Ireland stretched its lead all the way out of the bay on its nearest competitor "Ibaraki".

Drivers Ben Scallan and Neil Spain made light work of the beat with a full main and a no 4 jib, things eased a little for the fetch up to Rosaveal, but the team still managed to break a kicker and lost instruments temporarily in the lumpy seas encountered.

Then it was kite up in winds which were now sitting between 30-35 knots for a fantastic reach/run home to renville.

Boat speed was sitting above 12 knots the entire time with speeds of up to 18 knots in the heavier gusts.

The boat loved the conditions which is a great reflection on this 15–year–old Stimpson design.

They completed the course in 7 hours 7 minutes in first place and with line honours and the race was an excellent shakedown for a busy season ahead.

The boat's next trip is the delivery to the Scottish series leaving Galway this Friday so skipper Aodhan Fitzgerald is hoping that the present strong westerly flow will abate.

#scottishseries – Big sponsor of Scottish sailing Brewin Dolphin has announced that it will not be renewing its sponsorship of the Scottish Series sailing event that that has borne its name for 13 years.

Jamie Matheson, Executive Chairman at Brewin Dolphin said "While relinquishing sponsorship of the Scottish Series is tinged with sadness, we're hugely proud of what we, Clyde Cruising Club and participants have achieved over the past 13 years. Our partnership with Clyde Cruising Club has significantly raised the awareness of Scottish sailing across the UK and further afield.

"We would like to wish Clyde Cruising Club the very best for next year's event."

John Watson, Commodore of the Clyde Cruising Club, said, "We would like to thank Brewin Dolphin for their continued support over the past 13 years. It has been one of the longest sports sponsorships in Scotland but as we know all good things must come to an end.

"The Scottish Series is a great event which has something for everyone, from face painting and pipe and dance bands shoreside to stunning scenery and challenging sailing on two event courses on Loch Fyne. Each year, the local community benefits from a substantial boost to its economy as a result of the long-standing event and the input from organisers and sponsors."