Loch Long One-Design National Championships at Cove Sailing Club

Loch Long One Design 2023 Nationals © Ewan Turner & Simon Jackson

Loch Long One Design 2023 Nationals © Ewan Turner & Simon Jackson

An impressive fleet of eighteen boats took part in the Loch Long One-Design National Championships from 23rd to 28th July 2023 on the Clyde. The event was hosted by Cove Sailing Club and sponsored by RB Marine, local businesses and private individuals linked to the class.

The fleet comprised of ten local boats and eight boats who made 500 mile trip north from Aldeburgh in Suffolk. They were competing for the Clyde Cup which was first presented in 1953 and with 5 previous winners in this year's fleet, it was always going to be competitive.

A total of 9 races were successfully completed and race officer Kevin Rickerby set some fantastic windward-leeward courses in different race areas. The majority of the races were sailed in wind of 12-18 knots and the competitors were treated to a mixture of wind directions. This made for competitive start lines and good tight racing right through the fleet. With the quality of the race teams competing, it became evident that being consistent was going to be a real struggle.

The Clyde Cup was won by the father and son team of Alan and Robbie DeVenny of Cove in Tik Hai (42/109). Tik Hai were by far the most consistent boat winning one race and backing that up with five second place finishes and a fourth to set a low overall score of 15 points once the discards were factored in.

Second place went to visiting boat Fiona (141) which was raced by Robert Mulcahy and Tom Robertson who scored an impressive three race wins and finished on an overall score of 22 points. They also secured the coveted traveller's trophy.

Pied Piper (20) and Dolphin (70) were tied on 25 points at the end of the week having both secured two race wins each. Pied Piper helmed by Alan McLeod and crewed by Robert Walker secured third place on count back with Dolphin, raced by Murray Caldwell and crewed by young Ru Hall settling for fourth. Cove's Alan Harper crewed by daughter Rachel in Capricorn (66) rounded out the top five on a score of 28 points. A special mention goes to Annie Burden on Moonshine (102) and crew Joey Lyon who scored a great race win on the last day of the event.

The Vanduara trophy for the most improved boat during the regatta was awarded to Zoe Robinson-Frood and Kirsty Robertson who managed to mix it with the lead boats this year scoring very credible second and third place finishes during the week.

Jimmy's Cup for Endeavour was awarded to Adam MacDonald in Grey Goose (124) crewed by several cadets who pulled out all the stops to get out on the water.

The James Powell Cup for best white sail boat went to Charles and Liz McDowell in Eden (138).

The week was rounded off with a prize-giving and buffet at Cove Sailing Club and Cove Commodore Wells Grogan thanked all those involved in putting on such a successful regatta which had great racing and some excellent social events.

Overall Results: