Rathbones 707 UK National Championship at Edinburgh - Overall

Final action from the 707 nationals at Royal Forth Yacht Club © Ken Dougall / www.actionshot.photoshelter.com

Final action from the 707 nationals at Royal Forth Yacht Club © Ken Dougall / www.actionshot.photoshelter.com

Final action from the 707 nationals at Royal Forth Yacht Club © Ken Dougall / www.actionshot.photoshelter.com

Edinburgh man beats hot competition to win national sailing event

Hot weather and hot racing dominated the Rathbones 707 Nationals this week on the Forth. It all came down to the last race, before Stewart Robertson (on Cacciatore) was awarded the overall prize.

Stewart and his (mostly) family crew sail from Royal Forth Yacht Club in Edinburgh. They didn't have the series all their own way. James Urquhart's Code Z was only a point behind after the 12 race series, having taken second place to Cacciatore in Race 11. Local knowledge may have helped, as Code Z usually races just up river at Port Edgar Yacht Club (South Queensferry) - but it didn't stop both boats being over the start line too early in the last race.

This serious level of competition extended to the rest of the fleet. Tich Summers (Seaword, Royal Forth), Neil McLure (Blue Funk, Dalgety Bay SC) followed close behind. Last year's champion Jon Powell, who was visiting from Royal Southern Yacht Club on a borrowed boat (Synchro) took 5th place overall. These three boats were within 6 points of each other. Many of the boats were only separated by one point at the end of the regatta.

Commenting on behalf of visitors from the south, east and north coasts, Alastair Mackie (Touchdown, Banff Sailing Club), said "What an extremely well run and highly competitive event. We enjoyed both the friendship in the club house and the competition on the water. Thanks to Royal Forth and the great race management."

Charlie Younger of Rathbones' Edinburgh office, commented: "Our support as main sponsor of the 707 National Championships on the Forth is part of our ongoing commitment to helping sport in Scotland, having recently announced our extended partnership with Lacrosse Scotland until 2017. Rathbones is also investing in the next generation, as demonstrated by our Financial Awareness programme for schools, and other youth development initiatives. These involve sponsorship of the Education Business Awards and other educational events, including Bang goes the Borders and the Chalke Valley History Festival for Schools."

Royal Forth Yacht Club, host for the event, is increasingly hosting national championships. Close to Edinburgh city centre, it has ideal sheltered waters for keelboat sailing within a couple of miles of the harbour. Club Commodore, Mark Primrose, said "We are grateful to Rathbones and our other sponsors for their help, as well as our volunteer race management team. We are delighted that so many keelboat sailors enjoyed this event. We welcome all new sailors, and of course keelboat fleets, to enjoy good winds and sheltered waters so close to Edinburgh city centre."

More photos can be found at actionshot.photoshelter.com

Overall Results: