IT was champagne sailing for the members of a yacht club who visited the Helensburgh area for their 150th anniversary regatta recently.

Twenty boats entered the Mudhook Yacht Club event, with 17 tasking part in four classes.

Sailing conditions were almost ideal, sunny with a steady, sometimes gusty, east north-easterly wind varying from 10 to 18 knots at times throughout Saturday with slightly less wind on the Sunday.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The winners smiled for the camera as they were given their prizesThe winners smiled for the camera as they were given their prizes (Image: Penny French)

The three Gareloch yachts entered in the regatta sailed on the Saturday only, with Iain MacGillivray on Teal taking first in the class with two first places and a second, and Charlie Darley's Catriona a close second.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Another happy winnerAnother happy winner (Image: Penny French)

 

There were two boats in the CYCA class, the 707 Tata of Griogair MacFarlane and the Impala Arcade, owned by Jack Aitken.

Jack won the overall trophy at the Scottish Series this year. It was close racing over the two days but Tata won overall with three firsts over the five races.

Helensburgh Advertiser: Sailors enjoyed a sunny and pleasant daySailors enjoyed a sunny and pleasant day (Image: Penny French)

The Etchells fleet saw five boats competing for the Vice Admiral’s Trophy.

Alan Manuel on Bounce Back performed consistently over the six races taking first in every race, while Lock N Loud came second with 13 points.

The RC35 boats were competing for the Inglis Trophy and for their class trophy for the RC35 Scottish Championship.

In very close racing Mocking Jay (Ben and Jono Shelley) were the most consistent with four firsts on the first day which left them in a good position for the last two races on the Sunday.

Helensburgh Advertiser: The competition in many races was tightThe competition in many races was tight (Image: Penny French)

They only managed a fourth and a fifth (discard) on the Sunday but their strong performance on the Saturday ensured they secured both the Inglis Trophy and the RC35 Scottish Championship Trophy.  Jacob-John Stamp managed second overall.

Saturn Sails of Largs sponsored the event this year and donated prizes for the prize-giving on the Sunday at Rhu Marina.

To mark the club’s 150th anniversary regatta, specially produced framed photographs were presented to each class winner.