Opening regatta 2026

Published 13:08 on 12 May 2026

Skiff rowing at the opening regatta 

With calm waters and eager rowers, the scene was set for the skiff races on Sunday morning!. The first race started as the clock turned 10.00 AM, the two skiff crews made their way to the berry barrel to line up and prepare for the 1km race with Tony (cox), Elaine, Mark, Judith and Lesley coming in 1st place against Graham (cox), Gillian, Maggie, Jules and Gregor. The second race of the day saw crews compete in the 500m sprint, with Gregor (cox), Lesley, Maggie, Graham and Elaine coming in first place against Mark (cox), Sandra, Christine, Judith and Tony. The last race of the day, which consisted of a circular round one marker buoy, saw Rosie (cox), Maggie, Gillian, Gregor and Tony claim first place with Leslie (cox), Elaine, Jules, Judith, and Graham taking second place. Overall, everyone had an extremely enjoyable time on the water with some fun competitiveness.Skiff rowing at the opening regatta

With calm waters and eager rowers, the scene was set for the skiff races on Sunday morning!.

The first race started as the clock turned 10.00 AM, the two skiff crews made their way to the berry barrel to line up and prepare for the 1km race with Tony (cox), Elaine, Mark, Judith and Lesley coming in 1st place against Graham (cox), Gillian, Maggie, Jules and Gregor. The second race of the day saw crews compete in the 500m sprint, with Gregor (cox), Lesley, Maggie, Graham and Elaine coming in first place against Mark (cox), Sandra, Christine, Judith and Tony. The last race of the day, which consisted of a circular round one marker buoy, saw Rosie (cox), Maggie, Gillian, Gregor and Tony claim first place with Leslie (cox), Elaine, Jules, Judith, and Graham taking second place. Overall, everyone had an extremely enjoyable time on the water with some fun competitiveness.

Sailing in the afternoon

The day started with barely a breath of wind and uncertainty as to whether the promised increase would materialise. However, after an initial postponement, a gentle breeze was felt from a northwest (ish) direction and the first race got underway with 2 laser radials, 2 solos, 3 fireflies and a solution close together on the start line.

All 8 boats were slowly headed up to the F mark, with not much distance between them. Once round the mark and heading to C the fleet started to spread out, with the radials, solos and solution in front and the fireflies a little further behind. A grounding around the spit slowed the solution and Erwins solo down, as the boats turned towards X at the south end of the loch. A more consistent wind allowed the boats to make slow but steady progress down the loch but it was patchy in places and the fleet split in two with the radials, Tonys solo and the solution in one pack and the remainder in a second pack.

As the boats rounded G and headed to the finish line the leaders were tightly together and the Race Officer had to keep a sharp eye as the first 3 boats crossed in almost a photo finish. Final results after adjustment for handicap: Becci (radial), Helen (radial), Tony (solo), Dennis (solution), Erwin (solo), Euan (firefly), Dougal (firefly), Tommy (firefly).

With the breeze more established the Race Officer was keen to get the second race underway. Again, a tight pack set off from the start line with all the boats jostling for position on the beat up to F. The lower handicap boats led the fleet but the lead firefly wasnt far behind. At the C mark Tonys solo and Beccis radial rounded first, closely followed by the other radial, solo, solution and fireflies. A steadier breeze allowed a quicker pace through the channel and down to G where again, Beccis radial and Tonys solo where first to round. As they headed up towards the finish line there was a drop in the wind on the south side of the loch which allowed Helens radial to make some ground ahead of the other two. Erwins solo, the solution and Dougals firefly followed, with the other two fireflies a little behind. 
Final results after adjustment for handicap: Helen (radial), Dougal (firefly), Becci (radial), Tony (solo), Erwin (solo), Dennis (solution), Euan (firefly), Tommy (firefly). 

Overall results: Helen (radial), Becci (radial), Tony (solo), Dougal (firefly), Dennis (solution), Erwin (solo), Euan (firefly), Tommy (firefly).

Last updated 13:08 on 12 May 2026