Having a perfect regatta is never easy, and when, you add a regatta as prestigious as Silvers Marine Scottish Series to the mix, it’s an almost impossible feat.

However, Dara O’Malley and Seaword from Port Edgar Yacht Club achieved just that, taking not just their class win but also lifting the Silvers Marine Scottish Series trophy.

Sailing in the Hunter 707 class Seaword finished the weekend with a near perfect scoreline, so impressing Silvers Marine Scottish Series Event Chairman David Denholm and his committee, that they awarded them the top prize.

Other prizewinners were:

  • Callum Bell who takes home the Crawford McInnes Trophy for Best Under 25 Helm, sponsored by Hempel Paints.
  • Hempel Paints Youth Prizes went to: Callum Tait; Jake Miller; Janey Campbell and Tony Fitzgerald.
  • Rose Bowl awarded to the yacht which in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance in the IRC handIcap classes in the Series – Aurora
  • The Tarbert Shield awarded to the yacht which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance in the CYCA handicap classes in the Series – Thrust
  • The Anchor Hotel Trophy awarded to the yacht which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all competitors in the One Design classes in the Series: Seaword
  • The Lemarac Tankard awarded to the yacht which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all competitors in the Restricted Sail classes in the Series – Brave
  • The Sinbad Trophy awarded to the best family yacht, regardless of class or results, as judged by representatives of the organising committee – Chaos
  • The Causeway Cup awarded to the entry from Ireland which in the opinion of the Race Committee gives the best performance of the IRC classes in the Series (other than the winner of the Sail Scotland Trophy and the Silvers Marine Scottish Series Trophy, if appropriate) – Something Else
  • The Sail Scotland Trophy awarded to the yacht normally based outwith Scotland which in the opinion of the Race Committee gives the best performance of all yachts in the Series (other than the winner of the Silvers Marine Scottish Series Trophy, if appropriate) – USA208 VXI Ovington Boats
  • The Silvers Marine Scottish Series Trophy awarded to the yacht which, in the opinion of the Race Committee has given the best performance of all competitors in the Series – Seaword

IRC Class 1 Having sailed a near perfect regatta, Rod Stuart and Bill Ram’s Aurora secured a first and second place today to seal victory and end the regatta five points clear of Silvers Marine Scottish Series sponsor Jamie McGarry and Colin Moore’s Eala of Rhu. And, with a second and a first today Prime Suspect and Charlie Frize take third spot. This has been a hugely entertaining battle to watch and, going into the final day, there was still all to play for.

IRC Class 2 was an incredibly tight class across the whole weekend and it couldn’t have ended any closer with just one point separating the top three boats. John and Brian Hall pulled out all the stops on Something Else today to net a second and third which was enough to end the day on top of the table. They end the regatta on equal points with the brilliantly sailed Sloop John T and Iain Thomson, who came into Monday topping the leader board, but who failed to capitalise on their advantage. And we have to also give mention to Christine Murray and Triple Elf who sailed a great regatta to come in third overall.

IRC Class 3 Roddy Angus and Dan Challis continued their domination of this class securing a first and a second in the day’s two races to end the event a point and a half clear of second place, the very well sailed Lambay Rules and Stephen Quinn. And Darge Black McVey and Phoenix took a well deserved third place in the class.

CYCA 5 There will be celebrations in Oban Sailing Club tonight as Richard Shellcock and Thrust top the table in CYCA 5. Their first and third today made sure they ended the regatta five points ahead of last year’s class winner Alan Dunnet and Valhalla of Ashton. Having a great day out on the water today, taking a second and a first, saw John Corson and Salamander XXII end the regatta in third place.

CYCA Class 8 Well done to David and Karen Parker’s Slippi Gin who slid into first place, winning their race today to end the weekend on top. There’s been a real battle between Slippi Gin and Brian Robertson’s Celtic Spirit who went into the final day leading the table. However, it wasn’t their day and, with Owen Mcmanus and Jochr taking a second place, they made sure they ended up where they were last year, in second spot, with Celtic Spirit in third.

CYCA Class 9 Ken Allan and S Shearer’s Brave have looked like class champions from the start of the weekend, with a perfect scoreline. They are worthy winners, with Silvers Marine Scottish Series sponsor Boyd Tunnock in Lemarac picking up second and Honey Bee and Iain Cameron in third.

Sigma 33 There were no surprises in the Sigma 33 class with James Miller and Mayrise holding onto the top spot, ahead of Harper and Robertson’s Leaky Roof 2 and Donald McLaren’s Sigmatic.

National Sonata One Design Series The first and third places of Douglas Paton and Edgy, were enough to edge their way to victory in the class today. This has been a very exciting class to watch all weekend as B Wiseman and Guy Neville’s Virtuoso sailed an equally consistent race. Ross MacNeish and Old School had a good result to take third place overall.

VX One In the end Brian Bennett and Ovington Boats had the upper hand, and securing two first places today go on take the class. Jono Shelley and Abracadabra ran out of magic and will have to be content with a solid second place ahead of the Lead Sled and Neal Piper in third.

Hunter 707 Class winner and Silvers Marine Scottish Series champions Dara O’Malley and Seaword just didn’t put a foot wrong over the weekend and, with two wins on Monday end the series six points clear of John and Stewart Robertson’s Cacciatore who were, in turn, six points clear of Neil McLure’s Blue Funk.

Image Credit: Marc Turner / CCC