Twenty-four boats took part in Loch Long Week hosted by Aldeburgh Yacht Club, Suffolk over 21-26 July, racing the classic 1936-designed yachts in challenging conditions with shifting winds from three to thirty knots. The regatta, last held at Aldeburgh in 2021, was sponsored by Adnams and other businesses and sailors from Suffolk and Scotland.
The four-boat team from Cove Sailing Club, near Helensburgh, Argyll, secured the inter-club prize in a hard-fought 10 match series, the tight river conditions making it very different from their home base on the Clyde estuary.
The individual winner was Cove's Alan DeVenny sailing Tik Hai with his son Robbie, winning three races and staying in the top four for the remainder to claim the Clyde Cup. Second place went to another Scottish combo, father and daughter Alan and Rachel Harper in Capricorn with two wins and two seconds. Aldeburgh's Chris Mayhew and Nigel Squirrell in Meg claimed third with a single win and three second places.
One of the highlights of the week was Thursday's local 'Round the Island' race, sponsored by Suffolk Coastal Estate Agents. In strong conditions it covered the 16-mile river course around Havergate Island and back in around three hours, tacking against the wind over half the distance. It was won by Alan and Erin McLeod in Pied Piper.
The Iona Cup for best boat not flying a spinnaker went to Jonathan Evans in Tantrum from Aldeburgh, who finished 7th overall. Jimmy's Cup for Endeavour was awarded to 17 year old Scot Rhuaindh Hall who crewed in four different boats over the week. The Vanduara trophy for the most improved sailor went to Aldeburgh's Nigel Gambier who finished in 11th place in his first competitive regatta as helm.
The hosts laid on a busy social programme with Spanish and Italian evenings, a drinks party and a Barbecue & Boules event which was won by Aldeburgh.
"I'd like to thank Aldeburgh Yacht Club and the Loch Long One Design Owners Association for a fantastic week of very competitive racing," said John McNeilage, Commodore of Cove Sailing Club. "We look forward to welcoming our friends from Aldeburgh back to Scotland in 2025."
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