Loch Long Week 2025 at Cove Sailing Club - Preview
by Tom Walker 17 Jul 17:30 BST
20-25 July 2025
Loch Long One Design racing © Charles MacDowell, Loch Long One Design Owners Association
This year it is the turn of Cove Sailing Club, Argyll to host the annual sailing regatta for the 64th Loch Long One Design Class.
The class was inaugurated on 12th May 1937 to commemorate the coronation of King George VI. With over 140 boats launched over the 88 years, it is one of the largest classes of British wooden one design classic racing keelboats. The racing fleet is divided between Aldeburgh, Suffolk, and Cove, Argyll. Twenty-five boats will race over around the Clyde and Loch Long on up to three races per day.
Racing starts on Sunday 20th July, 2025, with Aldeburgh boats, helm and crew making their migration north for a week of racing and festivities in the days before this.
This year marks the first year that the new clubhouse based at Cove, will host the event. Years of planning and fundraising have paid off, and a wonderful venue awaits the sailors and spectators alike.
After racing on Sunday, thanks to a Rathfinny Wine Estate who have kindly and generously supplied their Sussex Sparkling Wine for the sailors to enjoy and celebrate the opening of Loch Long Week 2025.
Monday brings further racing, and an on site farm shop provided by Townhead Farm, Helensburgh, who have kindly sponsored prizes for the the top ten places, in terms of their locally made “Jelly Legs” Gin. The social event on Monday will involve a home made paella by Eric Robertson.
Stravaig Ceildh Band will take to the stage in Cove Burgh Hall on Tuesday 22nd July to host a dance. Having previously played at Hogmanay events in the same venue – they know how to get the crowd going – tickets are available for this event from Cove Sailing Club.
After the rest day on Wednesday, used for additional races, if the weather is not favourable, further races will happen on the Thursday and Friday with Prize giving on the Friday 25th July.
The event would not be possible with out the financial sponsorship from MC Sails, Kilcreggan Garage, Struan Covers and The Creggans.
Sailors will compete for the following trophies: Diamond Jubilee Trophy, Largs Trophy, Boag Cup, Lucknam Trophy, Convener’s Trophy, Laidlaw Centenary Cup, Theme Quaich, Gossamer Trophy, Haddow Trophy, Exorna Cup, Jimmy’s Cup, the Machonachie Tray and the Vanduara Trophy. The Iona Cup shall be awarded for the highest placed yacht competeing with out a spinnaker and the Lang’s Supreme Painting shall be awarded to the club whose declared entrants have the lowest average score.