The West Ardnamurchan Regatta is one of the area's historic annual events, one which died but was resurrected in the 60s by the small group of enthusiasts which still runs it. But most people think that "The Regatta" happens on Friday. It doesn't. The most important part of it takes place today, Thursday, when the yachts have their outing. Or, at least, I thought it was an 'outing' until after I'd volunteered to help crew one of the boats, when I was told that there were actually three races, one a warm-up in the morning, the second the 'real thing' in the afternoon, followed by yet another race tomorrow morning, before the people with lesser breeds of boats, such as kayaks and power boats, were allowed their go.
Briefing took place at ten, after which everyone was quite clear as to what they needed to do. The race was due to start at exactly 11, then 11.10, then - whenever the blue peter was dropped in front of Alasdair Connell's house.
It was a beautiful day for sailing, light winds which were variable enough to offer some excitement, and eight boats to provide competition, along with several hundred others which were taking part in the West Highland Week events out of Tobermory. The morning's course was a short one, with a buoy below Ormsaigbeg and another off Glas Eilean, but the afternoon's race - the 'real thing' - included another buoy just to the west of Ardmore Point beacon.
Both races went extremely smoothly except that the boat in which I was employed as ballast rammed another which cut across our bow just at the start of the second race. I was also somewhat concerned at the way the Ronja Pioneer seemed to bear down on us. "Don't worry," the Admiral in charge of my boat assured me, "Steam gives way to sail." It didn't. It just happened to miss us.
The boat I was in did extremely well, coming in sixth out of eight in the 'real thing'. However, we were most disappointed to learn that both races had been counted and, worse, that there was a handicap system which meant that we were relegated to last place - behind the boat which rammed us.
Nevertheless, it was a splendid day, the races run in very good spirits and the organisation impeccable.
No comments:
Post a Comment