St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club held a wild and windy regatta on Saturday 8 June, with exciting sailing, hard work, and lots of capsizes being the order of the day.

Four races were held in challenging conditions, with some boats deciding not to go out at all, and a steady stream of retirals throughout the day. Seven ILCAs sailed sufficient races to complete the series, and results can be seen here. No Streakers chose to venture onto the water.

The wind at the clubhouse was fierce, however the racing took place “round the corner” in the wider, more open part of the loch where it was still strong, but less gusty and a little more steady in direction.

Greg Liggins of Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club, sailing a Laser standard / ILCA 7, handled the conditions best to win the event with an impressive tally of two firsts and a second, discarding a third. Local sailor Keith Milroy sailing a radial / ILCA 6 scored a first in one race and was second overall, with Nicky Leech from Derwent Reservoir in her 4.7 / ILCA 4 close behind in third place overall and winning the prize for first female. Alanna Starkie, also from Derwent Reservoir, was fourth overall and the best placed Under 18 in her 4.7 / ILCA 4. Well done to all of the prize winners, and indeed to all of the competitors.

Thanks are due to the race officers on the committee boat, the hard-worked safety boat crews, and everyone else involved in the administration and on-shore organisation of the event. They make the event happen!