New Scottish Keelboat Championship
by Ian McKay 5 Apr 2015 13:01 UTC
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:
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