Isle of Skye Edinburgh Regatta at Royal Forth Yacht Club

Neil McLure with Britannia Trophy © Liz Tulloch

Thirty-one yachts took part in the 2006 Edinburgh Regatta sailed at Granton on 19-20th August. This was an increase in entries, and all handicap classes were well represented. The event was sponsored by Isle of Skye. and jointly hosted by Royal Forth and Forth Corinthian Yacht Clubs.

Racing opened on the Saturday in good conditions, a steady easterly Force 3 keeping events moving at a good pace, although patches of heavy mist occasionally obscured the course. Good spinnaker handling proved absolutely vital as only a boat length separating many on the downwind leg, and places changed as the wind piped up.

Competition was fierce in every class with Ruby (Terry Kirchin), Jezebel (S. Howell), Robo (Jock Blair) all taking golds in the Fast Group. The H Boat, Hopscotch, set the pace in the Medium Class sailing consistently well and holding off challenges from Hamish Mackay’s H-Boat, Huffy, while Neil McLure’s Sonata, So, logged up the first set of wins to establish him as the undisputed leader of Division 3.

Weather cleared for the second day featuring Round the Buoys races, but was generally lighter and much more fickle. Again the competitors remained close together, every move being critical. Ability to sense a wind change was the key to success.

So continued to lead her class to take the Britannia Trophy for best performance. Jezebel and Ruby duelled for first place in the Fast Class, Ruby taking it by one point while Robin Brownlie of Royal Forth did the same in the Medium.

Overall Results

Fast Handicap:
1. Ruby, T Kirchin, PEYC
2. Jezebel, S Howell, PEYC
3. Robo, J Blair, PEYC

Medium Handicap:
1. Hopscotch, R Brownlie, RFYC
2. Huffy, H Mackay, RFYC
3. Suspicion D Gardiner, PEYC

Slow Handicap:
1. So, N McLure, DBSC
2. Miss Elainey Us, K Allan, DBSC
3. Auberge, D Dickson, PEYC