Julia Heap, JRC secretary said the committee had looked at feedback from some of the faster yachts wishing to race CYCA. She said: ’The introduction of the new class gives a CYCA choice for fast boats. Some of the fleet don’t want to enter Class 1 which is IRC from 0.970 and above so this gives a choice. We already have good interest from some of our existing competitors and hope to attract more to make this a really exciting class.’
In addition there will be the opportunity for longer courses for Restricted Sail Class 2 within the Argyll Fleet in the Firth of Lorn on Tuesday and on Thursday racing off Tobermory. The two Mull shore marks will no longer be used on Tuesday and the aim will be to race south rounding Bach and Insh Island. The race officer has the option of using a number of marks to give an interesting course of varying distances amidst spectacular west coast scenery.
Off Tobermory, if weather conditions permit, the intended course for the Argyll fleet will be out to Kilchoan Bay racing to the navigation buoy WNW of Ardnamurchan Point and then to the current meter buoy off Caliach Point. The other Argyll Fleet classes will race a shorter course that will skirt the Tunnocks spinnaker fleet racing in Kilchoan Bay.
Meanwhile Craobh Marina has announced that half price berthing will be offered to competitors in West Highland Yachting Week. The venue for the start of the Regatta, Craobh Marina and the Lord of the Isles will be extending a fantastic welcome and what they describe as a ‘spectacular’ evening’s entertainment.
This year Tennents West Highland Yachting Week welcomes Tunnocks aboard. Tunnocks biscuit products are more than a Scottish phenomenon, being in demand both over the border and overseas. They were first exported from Uddingston to Newfoundland, Canada, back in 1957. The spinnaker classes will be known as the Tunnocks Fleet.
Funding support has also come from Argyll and Bute Council’s Leisure and Recreation Fund and the Oban Common Good Fund. The Restricted Sail classes will be known as the Argyll Fleet.
Caledonian MacBrayne and the Crown Estate are the latest to add their support and the partnership will bolster the success of one of the most popular yachting regattas in the UK.
Caledonian MacBrayne provides a lifeline transport service to the islands and their communities. This year competitors can travel with West Coast Motors in their open topped Double Decker that will run between Dunstaffnage Marina and Oban to link up with Oban Marina and events planned there.
The event won funding from EventScotland in 2008 to help promote this year’s WHYW.
A new class has been announced for Tennents West Highland Yachting Week that runs from July 31 to August 7, 2009. The Joint Regatta Committee has introduced Class 10 for boats rated CYCA 10.75 and below. This class will start alongside the existing Class 3 which is for CYCA handicaps from 11–13.75. Prizes for the new class will be in accordance with the number of entries.
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