Tunnock‘s (of Caramel Wafer fame )has announced it be supporting Scotland’s famous west coast regatta, West Highland Yachting Week, again – for the 64th anniversary of the event, runing from 29th July to 5th August 2011.

David Walthy, Joint Regatta Committee chairman, says: ‘We are delighted to have Tunnock’s back on board at West Highland Yachting Week. The company has always been a loyal supporter of the event and our competitors now associate the Tunnock’s brand as very much part of the Week.’

Boyd Tunnock, CBE, managing director of Tunnock’s of Uddingston, is an enthusiast and former competitor at West Highland Yachting Week with his well known yacht, Lemerac (caramel spelt backwards). He is pictured above on her helm.

Tunnock’s make a ‘Survival Pack’ of biscuits, well known amongst the yachting fraternity. Some boats ares aid not to set sail without it.

West Highland Yachting Week attracts upwards of 130 yachts for an event unique in being a ‘moving regatta’ based around Craobh, Oban and Tobermory. Feeder races from the Clyde, the Island of Gigha and Oban bring yachts to muster at Craobh for the start on 29th July 2011.

The event offers varying challenges from family participation in the ‘white sail fleet’ to top class white knuckle racing in the spinnaker fleet. (And then there’s the greater variety of apres sail entertainment.)

Tunnock’s is sponsoring the spinnaker classes again this year and these will be known as the Tunnock’s fleet.

WHYW 2011  is shaping up to for another exciting event with strong interest in the IRC classes that have gradually been introduced over the last few years.

There are ten classes for racing including four restricted sail classes, using the CYCA handicap system and two IRC classes.

The Regatta’s ethos is a mix of top quality racing for the spinnaker fleet with restricted sail classes (non-spinnaker racing) allowing a range of family participation. The après sail social scene includes family swimming and cinema nights, touch rugby and a skipper’s reception. Each night there is a headline event for competitors and the final prize-giving on Friday evening August 5th is followed by a Scottish ceilidh dance.

With some new race courses for this year being worked on by principal race officer Malcolm MacGregor and a fresh slant on the popular après sail social programme the event is one not to be missed.

The Notice of Race is available on the WHYC website.

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

West Highland Yachting Week (WHYW) is a unique event in the British yacht racing calendar designed to offer a mix of competitive racing to a wide range of entrants. The regatta attracts upwards of 130 yachts each August to the west coast of Scotland and is 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 that runs from 29^th July to 5th August 2011. This will be 64th anniversary of the regatta which has its origins as far back as 1882.

There are ten classes for racing including four restricted sail classes using the CYCA handicap system and two IRC classes.

The Regatta’s ethos is a mix of top quality racing for the spinnaker fleet with restricted sail classes (non-spinnaker racing) allowing a range of family participation. The après sail social scene includes family swimming and cinema nights, touch rugby and a skipper’s reception. Each night there is a headline event for competitors and the final prize-giving on Friday evening August 5th is followed by a Scottish ceilidh dance.

The Crown Estate is supporting West Highland Yachting Week as part of a wider programme to promote sailing on the west coast, which offers major economic benefits for coastal communities.