Squall hits Fife fleet

More from the sumptuous classics as they pass the Kyles of Bute

The penultimate race in the 2008 Fife regatta was preceded by a sumptuous party in Mount Stewart House, the home of the Marquis of Bute on Wednesday night. The fleet cruised in company, from Rothesay Bay up the east Kyle to Tighnabruaich. For those
who had not seen the Kyles of Bute before, this in itself is a visual feast. But the scene of the start amid the spectacular scenery with these magnificent boats would have done credit to any Hollywood studio.

As the fleet headed south past Ardlamont Point and Inchmarnock the majestic backdrop of the mountains on Arran had the snappers scurrying for their cameras again. A short sharp rain squall hustled the fleet past Garroch Head but here the disparity of size really took its toll. While the big boats reveled in the fresh conditions the three smallest, Ayrshire Lass, Lucky Girl and Ierne all retired. Once the rain squall passed, the fleet
arrived back into the Clyde and headed for Largs Yacht Haven, the sun resumed its
proper place and all ‘lived to fight another day’.

With only one race now remaining class 1 is close with Altair on seven points and
Moonbeam in second place just 2 points behind. In class 2 Mikado looks strong on 6
and The Truant skippered by Oyster Marine chairman Richard Matthews probably the
only other boat in this class with a chance of winning, has a lot to do to recover a 4 point deficit in the last race.

The Fife Regatta 2008 - Overall Results
Sat Sun Tues Thurs Friday Total

Class 1
Altair 4 1 1 1 7
Moonbeam 2 3 2 2 9
Hallowe'en 3 2 3 4 12
Lady Anne 1 5 4 6 16
Mariquita 5 6 5 3 19
Mariette 6 4 6 5 21

Class 2
Mikado 1 3 1 1 6
The Truant 3 2 2 3 10
Rosemary III 12 4 3 2 21
Viola 5 9 5 6 25
Solway Maid 2 12 8 4 26
Ayrshire Lass 8 1 4 15 28
Peggy Bawn 7 7 7 9 30
Sonata 9 11 6 5 31
Ierne 4 6 9 15 34
Mignon 10 5 13 7 35
Fyne 6 13 11 10 40
Oblio 15 8 12 8 43
Lucky Girl 13 10 10 15 48
Hatasoo 11 15 15 15 56

More photos on the following pages...