Fife Regatta 2008 at the Firth of Clyde - Day 5
by Paul Jeffes 27 Jun 2008 09:12 BST
20-27 June 2008
Kyles of Bute Race
The penultimate race in the 2008 Fife regatta was preceded by a sumptuous party in Mount Stewart House, the home of the Marquis of Bute on Wednesday night. The fleet cruised in company, from Rothesay Bay up the east Kyle to Tighnabruaich. For those who had not seen the Kyles of Bute before, this in itself is a visual feast. But the scene of the start amidst the spectacular scenery with these magnificent boats would have done credit to any Hollywood studio.
As the fleet headed south past Ardlamont Point and Inchmarnock the majestic backdrop
of the mountains on Arran had the snappers scurrying for their cameras again.
A short sharp rain squall hustled the fleet past Garroch Head but here the disparity of size really took its toll. While the big boats reveled in the fresh conditions the three smallest,
Ayrshire Lass, Lucky Girl and Ierne all retired. Once the rain squall passed, the fleet arrived back into the Clyde and headed for Largs Yacht Haven, the sun resumed its proper place and all ‘lived to fight another day’.
With only one race now remaining class 1 is close with Altair on seven points and Moonbeam in second place just 2 points behind. In class 2 Mikado looks strong on 6 and The Truant skippered by Oyster Marine chairman Richard Matthews probably the only other boat in this class with a chance of winning, has a lot to do to recover a 4 point deficit in the last race.