Royal Tay Yacht Club One of a Kind Regatta

RTYC One of a Kind Regatta © Tich Summers

Sunshine and a strong westerly wind greeted competitors who had travelled from as far afield as Orkney and Stromness to take part in the One of a Kind Regatta on the Tay, comprising seven of the most competitive classes in Scotland. The event was the Scottish Championship for the Dart 18, Kestrel, RS400 classes.

First off on Saturday morning were the Solo class who were holding their one day event. The arriving 5 classes watched with some trepidation as 8 Solos launched and roared off towards their start line. With a strong spring ebb tide and the wind gusting up to 28 knots it looked wet and wild from the shore and must have been an awaking for the sailors. Great spectator sport if you were not on the water. Afloat it was "challenging" with the majority of the fleet capsizing off wind despite opting to ware round rather than gibe. The rescue fleet were busy but the majority were (eventually) able to self rescue and sail back and store the days event into their memories.

RTYC One of a Kind Regatta - photo © Tich Summers

The second race saw a reduced fleet of 4 cross the start line and thrash their way round the windward/leeward course. Race 3 was cancelled. Enough was enough and the Solo class had entertained us brilliantly.

It had been equally tough for the mark-boat crews, safety and race control teams. Bruised and battered they decided (wisely) to keep other classes ashore. Rescue cover was provided for those who wanted to test their strong wind capabilities and a couple of RS200's and a lone wind surfer went afloat to continue the entertainment for the assembled audience.

RTYC One of a Kind Regatta - photo © Tich Summers

With the wind gusting up to 37 knots all further racing was cancelled for the day.

Solo Class Results:

The Saturday evening social in the clubhouse was a huge success. The pizzas were provided and sponsored by Dominos, there was excellent live entertainment sponsored by Highlander Boats. The place was buzzing with a packed club house full of thirsty sailors. It was a great atmosphere reminiscent of years past.

Sunday dawned with the wind veering to the north, not quite as strong, but still frisky. The start had been brought forward to 10.00am and the Darts were first off, followed at three minute interviews by the RS400's, the Kestrels, the RS200's, and the ILCA 6 & 7 fleet.

The scheduled 4 full length races were sailed which was a test of the bladder and for some their blood sugar level. It was a very demanding day with a gusty northerly wind, huge shifts, and a strong tide ebbing throughout... with the beach and the occasional rock just waiting to bite those who were overly enthusiastic about avoiding the tide inshore.

At the prize-giving thanks were expressed to the significant workforce of volunteers who had planned and implemented the event, the race team, the beach team, those who operated the beach cafe, the RIB teams, those who co-ordinated the results, and particularly former commodore Graham Foster who stepped in at short notice to take over as OOD from Colin Scott who had tested positive for Covid.

Overall Results: