Old Pulteney Scottish IRC Championship and Mudhook Regatta preview

by Fiona Holland on 6 Jun 2015 For the first time, the Old Pulteney Scottish IRC Championship run by Mudhook Yacht Club will venture further up the Clyde, moving to Helensburgh.

And with it comes a host of Scotland's top racing yachts, eager to add the Scottish IRC crown and silverware to their collections this weekend (June 6-7).

None more so, perhaps than the team on board the Stuart/Ram owned Corby 37 Aurora, which has, despite some hot results at both the recent Kip Regatta and Scottish Series, had to settle for the bridesmaid slot on both occasions - a second overall at Kip and a third at Scottish in Tarbert just two weeks ago.

Alongside John Stamp's J111 Jacob and the McGarry/Moore owned Swan 45 Eala of Rhu, this trio currently make up the IRC1 support in the field, which, while not large, has the real potential for some gritty racing.

In the land of IRC2, though, there is plenty of strong competition, with the stalwarts of Scottish racing coming out to play - it is where Scottish Series found its overall winner and it is also the home of a number of past Scottish IRC title holders.

Fresh from an overall class win at Kip and a hard-fought second at Tarbert, one of those former IRC winners is the Thomson-owned Sloop John T, the well-kent Swan 40, which must fancy its chances of adding its name, once more, to the trophy.

It will not be plain sailing, though. It is a tough, closely-matched class and any one of half a dozen yachts could claim the victory.

Away from the IRC competition, the regatta has, over the last couple of years, established a keen CYCA and one-design following, with healthy entries for the Sigma 33, Sonar and Etchells classes.

What could, however, put the cat amongst the proverbial pigeons is a pretty shocking weather forecast for Saturday's racing. Gusts in excess of 40 knots out of the west are expected early afternoon - which could put pay to the best-laid plans of both organisers and racers. Things are expected to calm down significantly for Sunday, and will certainly offer the chance for additional races to be run if required.