News | Details
| 04/05/2009 |
| "West Highland Week 2009" |
July 31st to August 7th 2009
This historic and unique sailing regatta is now in its 62nd year and has evolved into the West Coast's second biggest sailing event taking in three venues, Craobh Haven, Oban and Tobermory. With some social events at Dunstaffnage Marina, the home of Salona Yacht, (Scotland Limited). More than 750 competitors from around the world enjoy national and local media coverage, as this is one of the leading international yachting events. This all takes place in stunning surroundings, and a winning combination of round the buoys and passage racing. Unlike many other events, West Highland Week encourages competitors to enter for individual races or to take part in the whole Series. Most classes are based on the Clyde Yacht Clubs Association (CYCA) Handicap System, but IRC racing is also offered for some of the faster yachts. West Highland Yachting Week’s history reaches as far back as 1882 when the newly formed Royal Highland Yacht Club held its first regatta in Oban. In 1980 West Highland Yachting Week entered into one of the longest-running sporting partnerships with Tennent Caledonian Breweries. The partnership has enabled the event to blossom into the leading international yachting event we know today. It is one of those rare regattas which moves its base from centre to centre during the week. A fleet coming from the south will gather at The Island of Gigha for a race to Craobh Haven and another fleet will be racing to Craobh Haven from Oban, down the Sound of Kerrera, through the Sound of Luing, and taking a sweep around the Isle of Shuna to finish off at Craobh Marina. With the whole fleet now gathered together at Craobh Haven, on Sunday all will race up to Oban, which will be the base until Wednesday morning. While in Oban the fleet splits up in the evenings, with some berthing at the North Pier, while others take up berths at Dunstaffnage Marina, or use moorings or anchoring off the Esplanade and off Oban Sailing Club. The race on Wednesday takes the fleet to Tobermory, were they race round the marks on Thursday. Friday is the final race back into Oban Bay for the final night's celebrations. The week will see yachts passing some 80 miles of coastline, but no doubt actually covering many times that distance whilst racing. They will see great numbers of islands, mountains, lochs and castles, all providing a spectacular backdrop to the close and varied racing. |
