Please select your home edition
Edition
Selden 2020 - LEADERBOARD

New Scottish Keelboat Championship

by Ian McKay 5 Apr 2015 14:01 BST 5 April 2015
The fleet streams away from Iona during Oban Sailing Club's Round Mull Race, part of the West Highland Offshore Series © Murray MacDonald

June sees the start of a new championship for Scottish keelboat racing sailors; the West Highland Offshore Series. Billed as Scotland's only season-long, passage race sailing championship, the series will collect results from nine keelboat race events and use the five best results for each boat to derive a winning yacht for the season.

Five west coast sailing clubs have come together to create the series with races starting in Gairloch, Kyle of Lochalsh, Oban, Plockton and Portree and, best of all, it costs nothing to enter. Participation in any of the qualifying races automatically enters the yacht... no paperwork, no fees, no hassle – just enjoy the racing and the stunning Scottish west coast scenery.

The top three boats will receive prizes sponsored by the mutli-award-winning Duisdale House Hotel in Sleat, Isle of Skye. These include a weekend break with dinner and meals for runners-up. Series co-ordinator Ian McKay, "We are fortunate that the owners of the Duisdale are keen sailors themselves, the hotel even has a yacht and moorings for guests' use, and when they heard about the concept of the West Highland Offshore Series they instantly jumped onboard to help. When you remember that there is no fee to enter this championship, it's a fantastic return to competitors for just taking part!"

The races included in the series are:

  • June 5 – Oban to Glencoe Passage Race
    Annual feeder event to the Glencoe Regatta which is held on Saturday 6th June – www.glencoeboatclub.org
  • June 19 – Midsummer in the Minch
    Overnight race from Portree to Gairloch via the Shiant Isles - www.skyesailingclub.com
  • June 27 – Gairloch Boat Club Big Boat Race
    Around islands and bouys from Gairloch - www.spanglefish.com/gairlochboatclub
  • July 3, 4, 5 – Round Mull Race
    Oban to Oban, Mull to port (scores half points) - www.obansailingclub.org
  • July 11 – Over the Sea to Skye (Kyles' Cup part 1)
    Kyle of Lochalsh to Portree – www.skyesailingclub.com
  • July 12 – Over the Sea from Skye (Kyles' Cup part 2)
    Portree to Kyleakin – www.skyesailingclub.com
  • July 25 – Round Raasay Pursuit
    Portree start and finish. Staggered start based upon CYCA handicap. Mass Finish and knees-up – www.skyesailingclub.com
  • August 1 – Frithard Trophy
    Plockton's keelboat race and part of their Regatta Fortnight - www.plockton-sailing.com
  • September TBC – Last Gasp Trophy
    A day of round the cans racing in Churchton Bay, Raasay (in front of Raasay House) - www.skyesailingclub.com
The series will use a low scoring method with longer events scoring half points.

It is hoped that following a successful launch and inaugural season, funding will be secured for the creation of an event specific website and prize fund which will further enhance the initiative.

The West Highland Offshore Series is administered by the Skye Sailing Club (Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation) with the support of Oban Sailing, Glencoe Boat Club, Plockton Small Boat Club and Gairloch Boat Club. We welcome the proposition of additional races for the 2016 calender and any sponsorship support.

Results, format terms and details via www.skyesailingclub.com

Related Articles

Superyacht Safety Comes Into Focus
As Monitoring Tech Booms The weather is changing, and it's not just a sailor's hunch. Storms are forming faster and are more destructive. Onboard sailing superyachts, captains and crews are facing new challenges in predicting risk, and the message is clear. Posted today at 6:00 pm
Switch Global Championships about to begin!
A fleet of 60 boats from 14 nations are taking part at Fraglia Vela Malcesine From September 11 to 14, the first international event for the brand-new Switch class will take place — a class that, in just one year, has seen astonishing growth. Posted today at 5:59 pm
La Solitaire du Figaro Paprec Leg 1 Day 4
Jules Delpech first at Needles Fairway, Alexis Loison leading the fleet After a lightning-fast Channel crossing this morning, the Figaro sailors have been kept busy with a succession of maneuvers and mark roundings. Posted today at 5:50 pm
Snipe Europeans 2025 at Vilamoura, Portugal Day 2
Perfect sailing conditions for the fleet The second day of racing at the Snipe Europeans in Vilamoura could not have been better. Sailors enjoyed two back-to-back races under ideal conditions, with winds ranging from 240 to 250 degrees and steady breezes of 10 to 15 knots across the racecourse. Posted today at 5:37 pm
Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award 2025
Submission of images open until 12 October The world's leading photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing is now open. You have one month left to submit your best image, taken since 14 October 2024. Posted today at 5:00 pm
4th ORC Double-Handed Worlds opening day
Heavy rain, poor visibility, and unstable winds forced organisers to cancel the Short Offshore Race The opening race of the ORC Double-Handed Worlds 2025, hosted by YC Monfalcone in collaboration with the Offshore Racing Congress (ORC) and held at Marina Monfalcone, was abandoned today due to severe weather conditions in the Northern Adriatic. Posted today at 4:17 pm
P&B Phantom Nationals 2025 Runners & Riders
Mark Spruce gives us his subjective view of the form guide! Back to the question in hand - who's my money on for this year's Phantom National at Hooe Point SC in the wonderful, ancient Naval and fishing Port of Plymouth? Posted today at 3:44 pm
Border Counties Midweek Sailing at Budworth
Tuesday Sailing Club visits the Cheshire Riviera The beautiful sparkling Budworth Mere was likened to the "Cheshire Riviera" by the early arrivals of boats from Winsford Flash, shortly followed by the Shotwick Lake contingent, and the remainder of the "Tuesday Sailing Club" friends. Posted today at 2:26 pm
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 4
Fast speeds and high stakes in thundery conditions as the fleet approaches Sicily After two days of predominantly light wind sailing and slow progress for the fleet, the top four teams - Paprec Arkéa (FRA), Biotherm (FRA), Allagrande Mapei (ITA), and Team Malizia (GER) - were the first to experience a low pressure weather system. Posted today at 2:18 pm
SailGP launches new rudders
And unveils further innovations ahead of Saint-Tropez event SailGP has today announced significant steps forward in technological innovation and fleet capability, with the launch of new rudders and plans for automated foil-protection software specifically for high speed, highly-loaded maneuvers. Posted today at 2:08 pm