Familiar sponsors on board for 65th birthday of West Highland Yachting Week

The West Highland Yachting Week (WHYW), the annual  competitive sailfest run out of Oban Sailing Club, is already on a crossing tack with the summer season.

Filling the skies with sail from Saturday 28th July to Friday 3rd August 2012, WHYW’s 65th birthday outing  has been boosted by renewed support from its regular sponsors – the sort of vote of confidence that really makes a difference.

Tunnock’s, Tobermory Whisky, Tobermory Harbour Association, Argyll and Bute Council and The Oban Common Good Fund – they’re all back aboard for the trip.

.So are Caledonian MacBrayne and the Crown Estate Commission, helping to keep the 2012 event afloat, along with the drive from Scottish Fuels, West Coast Motors and Flit Autos.

David Waltho, chairman of the Joint Regatta Committee that runs WHYW says: ‘We are delighted the same organisations have again given their help to run the event. Our regatta has a strong community involvement across the board that is mirrored in this support.’

WHYW is a unique event in the British yacht racing calendar, with its mix of competitive racing for a wide range of entrants. It attracts up to 150 yachts each August to the west coast of Scotland, with races run from the ports of Craobh Marina, Oban and Tobermory.

Feeder races from the Clyde, the Island of Gigha and Oban bring yachts to muster at Craobh for the start of the event.

WHYW has its origins as far back as 1882, while 2012 is the 65th anniversary of the event as we know it.

The racing

There are ten classes for racing in WHYW, across CYCA and IRC handicap ratings, including four restricted sail classes using the CYCA handicap system.

The Regatta’s signature is a mix of no holds barred racing for full sail; with  restricted sail for family participation.

The after-racing

The après sail social scene – for which WHYW has become a byword for conviviality and communal fun – includes a Skipper’s Reception, family swimming, touch rugby and barbecues. Each night there is a headline event for competitors and the final prize-giving on Friday evening is followed by a ceilidh dance.

Further information on West Highland Yachting Week is available here on the event’s website.

Note: The image at the top has been provided for use by WHYW.