The Fife Regatta 2008 to take place on the Clyde

In June 2008 the classic yachts designed by William Fife will be returning to their birth place to participate in the Fife Regatta. The boats were designed and built in Fairlie, by Largs. Ten years ago there was a gathering of 11 Fife yachts to celebrate the centenary of Eric Taberley’s Pen Duick and Five years ago there was a gathering of 22 Fife yachts to celebrate the centenary of Moonbeam III, and from the success of these, there will be 25 yachts gathering in 2008 to celebrate the centenary of Viola.

It will be a spectacular sight with yachts ranging from 20 feet to 200 feet displaying their prowess and great craftsmanship. The Regatta is primarily for the owners and the sailors who take pride in the restoration and sailing of these amazing yachts.

The Fife Yachts are one of the Worlds most prestigious group of Classic yachts. The Yachts portray a journey through time and represent a period of great development and skill in the sailing world. William Fife lll was from a family of boat builders and designers and throughout his career developed some amazing vessels that still grace our waters today. Many of these boats from the turn of the Century now rest and sail abroad and it is only due to the passion felt by the owners that these boats will be able to once again congregate on the Clyde to show their great beauty and heritage in the waters of their birthplace. The yachts will be brought from Mediterranean countries, USA, New Zealand, Scandinavia and of course Scotland. This will be the largest gathering of Fife designed yachts in the world.

The regatta is as much about sailing in Scotland and celebrating William Fife as it is about racing. The boats range in size, sail area, speed and crew number and therefore racing that takes place will be in a handicap system and generally over longer passages.

The Regatta has an interesting itinerary that will allow the yachts to sail to various ports on the Clyde. Racing will be interspersed with lay days and exceptional social functions.

The Itinerary of the event is as follows:

• Saturday 21st - 'The Cumbraes Race' - Race around Isle of Cumbrae - Start & Finish off Largs Yacht Haven
• Sunday 22nd -'The Clyde Race' - Starts off Largs Yacht Haven and Finishes at Rhu/Helensburgh
• Monday 23rd - Yachts moored of Rhu
• Tuesday 24th - 'The Rothesay Race' - Starts off Rhu and Finishes at Rothesay
• Wednesday 25th - Yachts moored in Rothesay Harbour
• Thursday 26th - 'The Kyles of Bute Race' - Start off Kames, south around Bute and Finish off Largs Yacht Haven
• Friday 27th - The Kings Course - the yachts will follow a course between Largs and Bute and finish off Largs

For public interest there will be an exhibition of memorabilia from the Fife Boatyard and Family which will be open to the public in Largs Sailing Club, Largs Yacht Haven, daily from 18th June – 29th June. There will also be event merchandise and an official programme providing information about the event, the history of William Fife and each participating yacht.

This will be such a unique event celebrating the largest ever gathering of Fife designed yachts in the world: not to be missed.

More information at www.fiferegatta.com