Bell Lawrie Scottish Series 2006

The Bell Lawrie Scottish Series © Bell Lawrie

Plans for this year’s Bell Lawrie Scottish Series are well under way with a number of new initiatives both on the water and ashore. This year’s event takes place from Friday 26 May to Monday 29 May 2006.

The newly appointed Commodore of the Clyde Cruising Club, Jim McIlraith, who takes over from Clive Scott, announced the following developments at the Sail Scotland Press Reception on Friday 6 January 2006 at the London International Boat Show.

Tunnock’s Trophy

Tunnock’s, who have been a course sponsor at the Scottish Series for the past 20 years, have donated the Tunnock’s Trophy, which will be presented to the winning yacht in the feeder race from Bangor, Northern Ireland, to Tarbert. This passage race will take place on Wednesday 24th May 2006 and is being run in conjunction with the Royal Ulster Yacht Club.

Tarbert Shield

This trophy will be presented to the winning yacht in the Kip to Tarbert feeder race, which will take place on Thursday 25th May and is being organised with assistance from the Royal Gourock Yacht Club and Kip Marina.

The Scottish Series Race Committee has listened to competitor feedback from last year’s event and both these feeder races will be treated as ‘stand alone races’, and will not count towards the overall points score for the Scottish Series. The ‘Tarbert Outbound’ Races to both Kip and Bangor will be run again this year, leaving Tarbert on Tuesday 30th May.

RYA Scotland Sailing in The City

As always, there’s an exciting shore-side activity programme running alongside the sailing in Loch Fyne. This year for the first time, RYA Scotland is going to bring their ‘Sailing in the City’ initiative to Tarbert. The scheme aims to offer local and accessible sailing to young people all over Scotland and has proved really popular in its first two years of operation. Youngsters between the ages of 8-14 will get the chance to learn the basics of sailing. Pre-bookable taster sailing sessions will take place in Tarbert harbour, covering the first elements of the RYA Youth Sailing scheme, with the emphasis on safety and having fun.

Early International Entries:

Philip Watson from Howth, County Dublin was quick off the mark with his entry for this year’s Scottish Series. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to compete last year – sailing across the Irish Sea en route to Tarbert in May this year, his Hanse 371, ‘Megawat’ sank following a catastrophic rudder stock failure. Luckily friends on a nearby yacht ‘Quite Correct’ rescued him and his crew. Race organisers offered to refund his entry fee, but he generously announced that the Clyde Cruising Club should enter him immediately for the 2006 event and he fully intends to be on the start line with ‘Hansebacker’, his brand new Hanse 371.

French sailor, Géry Trentesaux, who has raced at the Scottish Series in previous years has intimated he is keen to race in this year’ event aboard his yacht ‘Courrier’ and is keen to encourage other French yachts to compete in this year’s Bell Lawrie Scottish Series.

Scottish exile David Cullen now living in Hong Kong, who skippered the Farr 45, ‘Team Struan’ last year, hopes to return to compete this year, commenting: 'We all had a great time last year, with some really competitive racing in Class 1. Hopefully we’ll be back in 2006 – the fantastic racing in such stunning surroundings on Loch Fyne, plus the lively social programme in the evenings means it’s an event we’re all keen to return to.'

1720 Scottish National Championships 2006 and 2007
The 1720 Class association has announced that the 1720 Scottish National Championships for 2006 and 2007 will be held as part of the Bell Lawrie Scottish Series. Class secretary Becci Eplett said .We hope that by upgrading the event to a National Championship we may be able to encourage a higher entry from the Class.'

Kip Marina is offering a special rate for any boats wishing to race in Clyde regattas during May and June. Contact Heath Gairns, at Kip Marina on Tel: 01475 521485 for further details.

Commenting on their seventh year of sponsorship, Fraser Gardiner, Director of investment managers, Bell Lawrie said, 'We’re delighted to continue to support the Scottish Series. It has proved itself a valuable platform for us over the years and is a great event to be connected with; we work hard with the Clyde Cruising Club and other sponsors to make it an event to remember.'

In addition to Tunnock’s, the other Course Sponsors Graham Technology and Talisker are set to return. Volvo has agreed to support the press office, as well as provide a range of vehicles for event support. New sponsors Tiso Outdoor are supporting the results service and new computer equipment has been ordered. Shore-side entertainment and activities organised by Tarbert Enterprise Company are also fully sponsored with financial support from Argyll & Bute Council, Argyll & Islands Enterprise, McEwans and Shanks Waste Solutions. An economic impact study commissioned by Argyll & Islands Enterprise following the 2005 event indicated that it was worth almost £700,000 directly to the village of Tarbert alone.

The Scottish Series attracts around 200 visiting yachts to the picturesque West Coast village of Tarbert, plus over 1,200 crew who truly bring the normally quiet village to life over the racing weekend.

Further details and Race entry forms for this year’s Bell Lawrie Scottish Series are available now from the Clyde Cruising Club website:

Event website: http://www.clyde.org