Fresh winds at Aith Regatta

Fresh winds and close competition made the Aith Regatta exciting for both sailors and spectators last weekend.

The regatta should have begun with the race for the Ollie Manson Trophy (the Pie Race) on Wed­nesday night but winds gusting up to force eight were not the best rowing conditions.

The Brae to Aith yacht race was also cancelled, but the six yachts involved made a fine sight on the Friday evening as they swept down Aith Voe on a dead run. Four boats came across the line within 25 seconds with Moody Snoopy (Robert Anderson) taking line honours. The results were: 1 Mistral (Scott Johnson); 2 Millspinda (Frank Ratter); 3 Tigga (Graham Suther­land).

The racing began in earnest on Saturday with a very good show of boats: seven yachts, five dinghies, three Mirrors and four sailboards.

Yacht races

Rankin Cup: 1 Mistral (Scott Johnson); 2 Millspinda (Willie Ink­ster); 3 Ice Blink (Alan Dun­can).

Irene Cup: 1 Mistral; 2 Movin On (Jim Tait); 3 Moody Snoopy (Robert Anderson).

Dinghy races

Ollie’s Trophy: 1 Laser (Mag­gie Adamson); 2 Fireball (Darren Forrest); 3 Laser (Ewan Stirling).

Jubilee Cup: 1 Fireball; 2 Laser (Maggie Adamson); 3 Laser (Ewan Stirling).

Mirror races

Culebra Cup: 1 Rory Goodlad 69524; 2 D&C Manson 70052; 3 G Whirrold 70051.

Lonabrek Cup: D&C Manson 70052; 2 Rory Goodlad 69524; 3 G Whirrold 70051.

Sailboards – 1 Graham Nicolson; 2 Alan Henderson; 3 Brian Gray.

On Sunday five yachts set off around Papa Little for the Clarks of Bressay Shield. On corrected time the results were: 1 Tigga; 2 Cynara (Joe Irvine); 3 Mils­pinda.

The Shetland Model Dipping Lug Race for the Rhiannon Rosebowl was also on Sunday: 1 Brakkin Wind (Andrew Tait); 2 Tempest (Douglas Irvine).

The 7.9 mile Brae to Aith rowing race also took place on Sunday. First across the line was the 10-man boat Swartbakkur crewed with a Bigton team. The final results were: 1 Aith yoal Rona (1:14.57); 2 Aith boat Ripper (1:15.09); 2 Nesting yoal (1:16.02); 3 Lerwick yoal (1:16.24); 4 Vidlin yoal (1:19.23).

After presenting trophies and prizes John Hay thanked all sailors and rowers for taking part. He also thanked the committee and cooks for their work.

Mr Hay gave special mention to the Brae sailors for their support and to the Delting Boating Club for sending their guard boat.

A spokesman said the Aith Boating Club committee would like to thank everyone who helped make the weekend a suc­cess.