Saturn Sails Largs Regatta Festival 2024

by Carolyn Elder 25 Aug 2024 16:49 BST 24-25 August 2024

There were not ideal conditions leading up to the annual Saturn Sails Largs Regatta Festival - sandwiched between the remains of Hurricane Enesto and the forthcoming storm Lydia racing was always going to be challenging for both race officers and competitors.

Saturday 24th however brought a few hours respite from the strong winds and even some sunshine and rainbows creating exciting racing for the 106 entrants of the event. With a unique mix of keelboat and dinghy racing on 2 race courses it is always a spectacular sight from the shore.

Fresh westerly winds took the keelboat fleet north of Great Cumbrae with windward legs over to the Isle of Bute shore, allowing for 3 races for some classes until a viscious rain squall came through leading to all racing being abandoned. In IRC class 1 Sapphire (Euan Morrison) claimed the winning spot as well as the overall Keelboat Championship trophy, closely fought with Murray Findlay's Xaviera. The keenness of the RC35 class starts led to 2 general recalls and a black flag, with John Stanley White's Blue Jay narrowly taking class honours over Ben and Jono Shelley's Mocking J.

Six Etchells braved the weather to come down river from Royal Gourock Yacht Club. Exciting racing was had by all but he clear winner with 2 firsts and a second was Lock'nLoad sailed by Peter Judd.

The lead changed in each race of the CYCA 3 class with Keith Orr's Prodigal narrowly winning overall by one point from Jack Meredith's Swan, Reindeer. In CYCA class 4 the smallest boat in the fleet, Mark Bradshaw's Squib, Magic Flute, toughed out the blustery conditions to win in both races securing the overall win.

Ian MacDonald's Sunfast 37, Artemis, won in the only race for CYCA Class 5 (restricted sail) as did James Jamieson's Clancy in CYCA Class 7 (restricted sail).

With only one entrant in CYCA Class 6 (multihulls), Brian Young's Excalibur was sent on a course circumnavigating The Isle of Bute covering the 40 mile track in 3.5 hours.

The dinghy fleet raced in the flatter waters of the Largs Channel and completed 3 races before the big squall put an end to all racing. The fast handicap fleet was dominated by LSC's Phil and Carol Alderson in their Cherub, Zero Gravitas with 2 firsts and a fourth however in the slow handicap class the clear winner was Ruraidh Herrington in his Laser with 3 firsts, which also was enough to take the overall Dinghy Trophy. The catamaran class was depleted with the weather conditions allowing brothers David and Ian Kent to win their class with 3 first places. Leading Topper sailor was Rohan O'Kane with 2 firsts.

Weather conditions on Sunday 25th led to all racing being cancelled and an early prize-giving being held in Largs Sailing Club. Huge thanks are due to our main sponsor, Saturn Sails, who have their sail loft based at Largs Yacht Haven, and who presented their very generous prizes to all class winners.

Racing continues mid week with an evening series culminating in the famous Scottish Two Handed Race around Arran or Holy Island on 1 September.

Thanks to the numerous volunteers ashore and afloat who braved the conditions to make the weekend happen.

For full results see largsregattafestival.com