Of the 86 current entries for the Jura Scottish Series which runs from 24th -27th May in Loch Fyne, nine are from Northern Ireland, with most coming from Belfast Lough.

Competing in the eight-strong Sigma 33 OOD class will be Paul Prentice’s Squawk from Ballyholme and Royal Ulster, Mark Mackey’s Mithril (Ballyholme YC) and Victoria Dews’ Elandra from Royal Ulster and Donaghadee SC. In the fleet they will be up against the seasoned high fliers Kirsty Robertson’s Leaky Roof 2, Donald McLaren’s Sigmatic and James Miller’s Mayrise.

As a first-time competitor in the Scottish Series Victoria is excited at the prospect; “Entering the Scottish Series marks our debut outside our club. While we'd have loved to do Howth’s Wave Regatta too, scheduling clashed. Excited for the challenge, racing in our one-design class offers invaluable experience for future competitions.” Victoria is well known in Belfast Lough as a Women on the Water campaigner, with plans to race in the RUYC Inshore Points Series with an all-women crew.

Dark and Scary, Stevie Andrews’ Hanse 371 is the sole Strangford Lough entry at Scottish Series 2024 Photo: Tommy Brown

The two IRC entries are Shaun Douglas’s Beneteau 40.7 (Royal Ulster and Cockle Island BC) and the Beneteau 31.7 (Aidan Pounder) from Royal Ulster and Ballyholme.

"For next year’s event I’m going to invite myself to Dublin and Belfast to talk to the clubs to seek to avoid clashing dates" - Roddy Angus, Scottish Series

Roddy Angus, Event Manager for the Series, says, “The CCC is delighted that we have nine boats coming from NI to the Jura Scottish Series this year. I’d like to thank them for their support and invite the skippers to introduce themselves to me during the event. For next year’s event I’m going to invite myself to Dublin and Belfast to talk to the clubs to seek to avoid clashing dates and to discuss the racing possibilities in terms of the Feeder races, the Scottish double header with Kip regatta, promoting the Scottish IRC championship, coastal course options, specific class lobbying and handicap options. We want the message out that the Scottish Series is back and offers quality racing and a great social scene……… the 2024 event is all set, and all we can do now is cross our fingers for fair winds. We are still open for entries!”

The J133 Spirit of Jacana from Carrickfergus Photo: John Corson

The Series’ first entrant, Bruce Douglas, will compete in the CYCA division in the J133 Spirit of Jacana from Carrickfergus on the north shore of Belfast Lough. In CYCA [R] is the sole Strangford Lough entry, Dark and Scary, Stevie Andrews’ Hanse 371. From Co. Antrim’s East coast, also in CYCA are Marc Ritson’s Dehler 41 CRC Quaich from Cushendall S & BC and Richard Doig’s Hydro 28, Hydrology (East Antrim BC).