Racing has concluded for this year on Sarclet loch. Our 16 week season has been a lot of fun. Saturday started off with a fairly light breeze when the competitors arrived at the lochside. Most had fitted there largest sails. As racing began the wind strength had marginally increased.

The first race for the Wm Sinclair Memorial Cup saw the Apollo and Firewood go head to head with the spinnakers fitted. The Shangani and Argo fouled at the shed losing a lot of time. Removal of the balloons and retrimming of the sails at the far end, the apollo was pinching as it returned whilst the Firewood headed towards the 'hole'. The loss of speed caused by the pinching allowed the Firewood to tack across the loch whilst maintaining the lead. First position Firewood sailed by Kevin Paterson, 26min 15sec. Second, Apollo, 27min 6sec. Third, Argo sailed by Archie Miller & Katie McKinnon, 28min 48sec, Fourth, Shangani sailed by Tony Wilson & Peter Sinclair, 29min 52sec and in Fifth position Jolly Roger, 31min 7sec.

The final race for the prestigious '1903' cup began with even more wind. The vessels with their large sails began to suffer on the spinnaker run, being overpowered problems with direction control became evident requiring numerous adjustments en-route. The Jolly Roger thrived with its mid sized sails catching and eventually passing the Apollo. The Argo also had a good run but pinching on the return leg slowed it whilst sailing from end to end. In first position Jolly Roger sailed by Sandy Bremner, 26min 25sec. Second Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson, 26min 40sec and in third Argo, 30min.

The prize giving was held in The Smiddy Inn. Over the season the most successful yachts of the 4ft and 5ft classes were the Apollo and Argo, respectively. Racing will recommence in February.

Racing was delayed as the boats were prepared, a shower of rain drove the light winds away, a half hour passed before enough returned to allow sailing. No wind is unusual for caithness.

The first race, Donaldson Cup, began with swappy winds at the start line. Once the boats set sail under spinnaker the wind became steady allowing the apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson to forge ahead. Finishing almost five minutes ahead of everyone else in a time of 23min 27sec, second position Shangani sailed by Tony Wilson, 27min 27sec. Third place went to the Jolly Roger sailed by Sandy & Olivia Bremner, 27min 33sec. Fourth Firewood, 28min 7sec and fifth Argo, 29min 39sec.

The second race, 2nd leg of the Wm Dunnet Ford Cup, began with the apollo stretching a lead sailing well under spinnaker. On the return leg the boat was sailing very high into the head wind as it followed the long shore eventually landing in 'the hole'. In first place Firewood sailed by Kevin Paterson, 25min 7sec, second Apollo, 25min 42sec, third Jolly Roger, 26min 36sec. And in fourth Argo sailed by Archie Miller & Katie McKinnon, 26min 47sec.

Saturday was a bright sunny day with a light wind. All of the model yachts were fitted with their largest set of sails. As the racing began the vessels headed into the wind returning with the addition of a spinnaker.

The first race, David Miller Cup, began well all the yachts were closely matched sailing towards the 'scarf' rock, so called because at one time scarfies would rest here whilst picking the abundant trout from the loch. The BEE sailed by Lewis Paterson and Ben McKinnon and the Aurora struggled to keep pace. The SRII, Apollo and Firewood arrived at the far end at the same time. A quickly fitted spinnaker to the SRII saw it depart first. The return leg was difficult for most only the Aurora and Firewood thrived almost sailing end to end.

In first position Firewood sailed by Kevin Paterson, 30min 56sec. Second Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson, 35min 1sec. Third Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 36min 15sec. Fourth with a fast return leg Aurora sailed by Archie Miller and Katie McKinnon, 37min 21sec. Fifth SRII sailed by Michael Sutherland, 52min 14sec and in sixth BEE, 53min 56sec.

The second race, Wm Tait Memorial, a junior event. The boats followed the same path as before, no change in the wind this week between the first and second race. First position Firewood sailed by Lewis and Katie Paterson, 30min 41sec. Second Apollo sailed by Inga Sinclair, 36min 7sec. Third Aurora sailed by Katie and Ben McKinnon, 38min 11sec. Fourth SRII sailed by Lucia Sinclair, 38min 36sec. And in final place the Valhalla sailed by Rorie Sinclair, 39min 3sec.

Race cancelled due to lack of wind

On saturday Sarclet loch had steady breeze blowing, the yachts leaving the start line headed into the oncoming wind zigzagging down the loch to get to the far end before returning with a spinnaker fitted. For the first race, George Groat Cup, each of the boats were remarkably matched for speed and direction. All apart from the Valhalla were fitted with their middle suit which suffered from being slightly over sailed. The apollo was the first to return with the spinnaker fitted heading towards the 'scarf' rock whereupon a swift adjustment of the spinnaker position drove the boat towards the finish line. The Firewood sailed by Kevin Paterson managed to gain some ground to finish in first position in a time of 27min 12sec, followed by the Apollo, sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson, 27min 22sec. In third position Pioneer sailed by Tony Wilson, 29min 15sec. And in fourth place Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 29min 27sec.

The second race, Donald Oag Memorial Cup, the second junior event this year, 6 juniors took part. With help from the senior sailors the vessels followed the same path. This time the slight drop in wind speed benefited the Valhalla which got to the far end first. The Firewood was the first to head off on the return trip but an unfortunate backfill drove it over to the 'hole' giving way for the Apollo to pass. The Bee and the Valhalla fouled in the middle of the loch fortunately neither was at a disadvantage. Only being separated after travelling almost a third of the loch together. In first place Apollo, sailed by Inga Sinclair, 31min 30sec. Second place Bee, sailed by Lewis Paterson and Ben McKinnon, 31min 43sec. Third Valhalla, sailed by Rorie Sinclair, 32min. Fourth position Firewood, sailed by Katie Paterson, 32min 10sec and in fifth place SRII sailed by Lucia Sinclair, 33min 30sec.

Saturday was a cold day with a light breeze, all yachts were fitted with there largest sails apart from the Valhalla. Spinnakers were fitted from the start line all tuned to go directly up the loch. When the first race, Donald Hendry Memorial Cup, began all the competitors, as they passed the 'point', fell away towards the 'scarf' rock only to return to the short shore following the wind as it arced its way down the loch. The Pioneer having the best line began the return leg first increasing its lead as it sailed very fast and close to the wind. In first place Pioneer sailed by Peter Sinclair, 27min 36sec, followed 3minutes later by the Blue Haze sailed by Kevin Paterson, 30min 23sec. Third to cross the finish line was the Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson, 31min. Fourth the Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 36min 16sec which struggled due to the lack of sail area to capture the available wind.

The second race, Sarclet Queen Trophy, was the first of our junior races this season. 4 juniors took part and were assisted by our regular sailors. Racing began with the yachts following the same paths as the first race. The wind marginally increased in strength but did not affect performance. The first of the juniors to return with help from dad was Lucia Sinclair sailing the Pioneer, 27min 37sec. Second to finish was Katie Paterson and Inga Sinclair sailing the Apollo, 28min 51sec. Third Lewis Paterson sailing the Blue Haze, 30min 26sec. And with an improved time Valhalla, with larger sails fitted, sailed by Rorie Sinclair, 31min 10sec

Sarclet loch hosted the Inter County Challenge between the Wick and Kirkwall Model Yacht Clubs the event consisted off 8 races covering 2days. Racing began at 11o'clock, a fair breeze was blowing causing an indecision between which sails to choose, medium or 2nd top suit. Medium was the safe route, most chose the 2nd top suit to maximise the air flow across the sails for more power and speed. The fleet was split in this sense. At the start the Wick sailors employed spinnakers while the Kirkwall team sailed in a gull wing fashion. All began well and were closely matched.

The Firewood being oversailed and with an over enthusiastic shore correction caused the mast to break and the sails to fall flat in to the water. The rest of the fleet continued jostling for positions. On the return leg sailing upwind the Aurora sailed by Archie & Fiona Miller stretched a lead to finish first.

The second race of the day was contested between the Apollo, sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson and the Hope, sailed by Arthur Deerness and Bill Drever. At the finish line only 12 seconds separated them. With the win going to the Apollo.

The third race saw the Aurora recoup its winning way although the following five vessels were all within 2minutes of the finish.

The fourth race won by the Apollo had a clear lead on the rest of the field of following boats.

On Sunday the wind was from the same ert although it was reduced in strength all the yachts were fitted with there large sails to compensate. The Wick boats had to change there spinnaker from the port to the starboard side at the burn on the downward leg as the wind bent round the hillock to the side of the loch.

The Apollo continued its winning streak bagging the first race.

The Highlander, sailed by Ian Kirkness and Alan Walls, won the second, pipping the Blue Haze sailed by Kevin & Andy Paterson as weed slowed the boat at the 'hole'.

The third race, the returning vessels all landed at the 'hole'. The Apollo and the SRII, sailed by Michael Sutherland, achieved freedom together. A lull in the wind caused the SRII to slow allowing the Apollo to finish 4seconds in front.

The final race of the weekend was won by the Hope.

The points for each cup was spread between saturdays and sundays racing.

Mayday Shield 1st Apollo 10points 2nd equal Hope and Aurora with 7points

Thrumster Estate Cup 1st Apollo 9points 2nd Aurora 8points 3rd equal Hope and Highlander 6points

Quatercentenary Cup 1st Apollo 11points 2nd Aurora 7points 3rd equal SRII and Hope 5points

SMYA Northern Trophy 1st Apollo 11points 2nd Hope 10points 3rd Aurora 9points

The Viking Cup for the most overall points 1st Apollo 41points 2nd Aurora 32points 3rd Hope 27points

The Bill Drever Cup for the best Orkney yacht 1st Hope 27points 2nd Highlander 18points

A light breeze greeted the sailors of the Wick Model Yacht Club, slowing the boats to a pleasant meandering stroll around the loch. All vessels were fitted with their largest sails in an attempt to maximise the available wind strength.

The first race, Dunlin Cup, was won by the Pioneer sailed by Tony Wilson & Peter Sinclair, 33min 24sec. Although the yacht performed a pirouette prior to crossing the finish line, caused by the light winds, it was still 1minute ahead of the second place vessel, Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson, 34min 42sec. Third SRII, 35min 02sec. Fourth Aurora sailed by Archie Miller, 35min 32sec and in fifth position Valhalla, 38min 39sec.

The second race, Seaforth Cup, of the day with a minor drop in wind strength opposite the shed, caused pirouetting for several boats which gave an advantage to the SRII to very slowly stretch a lead. A lead the others could not recoup.

First place SRII sailed by Kevin Paterson, 36min 49sec, Second position was fought over by two boats to the bitter end as they were dragged around the point. The victor was the Pioneer, 39min 59sec, closely followed by the Apollo, 40min 29sec. Fourth position was the Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay, 41min 33sec, after recovering the boat from the 'hole' and fifth Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 44min 20sec.

The Wick Model Yacht Club had an exciting day racing last Saturday despite the drizzling rain. The wind direction was from the same ert as most of the previous saturdays this season, being slightly off beam. This required the attachment of spinnakers from the start line. With the spinnakers flying the vessels followed the short shore. Even with a staggered start the boats travelled in tight formation luckily only one foul occurred between the Firewood and Astra sailed by Michael Sutherland neither yacht lost any ground and gracefully separated continuing the chase for the leaders. The Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson had a very fast run returning across the finish line in first position, Valkyrie Cup, in a time of 22min 2sec. The Aurora and Valhalla lost there places as they required an additional tack allowing the Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay to gain second place, 25min 54sec. Third Aurora sailed by Archie Miller, 26min 44sec. Fourth Valhalla sailed by Sandy & Adam Bremner, 29min 18sec.

The second race, Wm Dunnet Ford Cup, of the day was even better than the first with six boats starting and all managing to finish in less than 30minutes, which is a rarity. With minor tweaks to the sail settings each jostled for position with no fouls occurring. The first to return and cross the finish line was the Firewood sailed by Kevin Paterson, 20min 58sec. Very closely followed by the Apollo, 21min 14sec, in second. Third Sapphire, 21min 30sec. Fourth Aurora, 24min 3sec, Fifth was the SRII sailed by Michael Sutherland, 25min 15sec and in Sixth Valhalla, 28min 51sec.

What a beautiful sunny day was had by the sailors of the Wick Model Yacht Club. The wind was a light breeze, all yachts were fitted with their largest sails. Of the six vessels which began each race only three managed to cover the distance within the one hour allotted time. No record breaking times were measured on saturday everyone had a gentle stroll around the loch which was a nice change compared to the high speeds at the beginning of our season.

The first race, Sarclet Cup, of the day was won by the Apollo which, was sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson. Slowly a small lead was gained against the competitors managing to cross the finish line in a leisurely 38min 54sec. Second Pioneer sailed by Tony Wilson, 43min 19sec and in third position Aurora sailed by Archie Miller & Katie McKinnon, 47min 19sec.

The second race, 2nd leg of the Sarclet Cup, was again won by the Apollo, 41min 36sec followed in second place by the Blue Haze sailed by Kevin Paterson, 43min 50sec and in third, Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay, 49min 7sec.

last saturday was a dry afternoon at sarclet loch with an exciting closely contested first race. The yachts were fitted with either there middle or top suits to take advantage of the available wind. From the start line the vessels held position until the far end where all but two required a tack across the loch. The Valhalla and the Blue Haze were the first to return with spinnakers fitted. The Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay had a rapid return leg passing both.

The final positions for the 2nd leg of the Cameo Shield was: in first position Sapphire, 26min 11sec, followed in second place the Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 26min 40sec. Third Blue Haze sailed by Kevin Paterson, 27min 25sec and in fourth Aurora sailed by Archie & Fiona Miller and Katie McKinnon, 27min 40sec.

The second race for the 2nd leg of the McAllan Shield was not so closely contested three yachts sailing slightly offline headed towards the rocky shore at the 'scarf rock'. The others followed the short shore stretching a lead. The Sapphire had the best line of all, with the minimum contact with the shore it steadily extended its lead.

In first place Sapphire, 26min 25sec. Second Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson, 28min 42sec, third Valhalla, 29min 12sec and in fourth position the Pioneer sailed by Tony Wilson, 32min 45sec.

With fresh Westerly winds blowing across Sarclet Loch resulting in beam sailing it was to make for fast times when the yachts took to the start line for the first race of the day to compete in the 2nd leg of the Webster Cup. Sapphire led from start to finish with Apollo, Sapphire and Bee in pursuit,

Result - Webster Cup 1. “Sapphire “sailed by Barry Scollay. 18 mins 26 secs, 2. “Apollo” sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 20 mins 28 secs, 3. “Valhalla” sailed by Sandy Bremner 24 mins 20 secs, 4. “Bee” sailed by Andrew Banks 26 mins 23 secs

The second race of the day was the 1st leg for the Cameo Shield. Again Sapphire led from start to finish and improved on the first race time to finish in an impressive 17 mns 45 seconds from Apollo, the fast finishing Bee and Valhalla

Result - 1st leg Cameo Shield 1. “Sapphire “ 17 mins 45 secs, 2. “Apollo” 21 mins 27 secs, 3. “Bee” 23 mins 17 secs, 4. “Valhalla” 25 mins 09 secs

Another brisk breezy day was had on saturday, surpisingly the conditions were similar to the previous week. All yachts adopting their smallest set of sails, apart from the Astra sailed by Michael Sutherland fitted with its mid size rig. The wind was slightly off of beam requiring a spinnaker on the downward leg some adopting balloons others with flats. Seven yachts began the race for the Wm. More Cup. Following the short shore the fleet was tightly packed as they sailed to the far end. On the return the boats began to spread out as time was lost when they hit the shore requiring adjustment. The first boat to cross the finish line was the Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay, 21min, closely followed by the Blue Haze in a time of 21min 33sec and in third position Shingani, 21min 48sec and in fourth the Astra, 23min 20sec.

The second race of the day was for the Shetland Tankard. The Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson for the second time that day had fouled with another contender and returned to the beginning. The Blue Haze was not set correctly drifted towards the long shore and got ship wrecked on the 'scarf rock' were it remained out of reach of the sailors and was only blown free after all of the other boats passed on the return leg. The Astra being over sailed due to the increase in wind causing its demise and landed in the 'hole'. The Valhalla had a clear run avoiding all the mishaps finishing in first position, sailed by Adam & Sandy Bremner, 19min 53sec. Followed by the Argo sailed by Archie Miller & Katie McKinnon, 20min 57sec, third across the finish line was the Shingani sailed by Tony Wilson 23min 34sec and in fourth place Sapphire, 30min

A brisk breezy day was had on saturday. All yachts adopting their smallest set of sails. The wind was slightly off of beam requiring a spinnaker on the downward leg. The boats generally sailed on the short shore. If set correctly they would travel directly from end to end.

Sailing for the Club Cup, the Aurora sailed by Archie Miller was the fastest on the day crossing the finish line in first position, 19min 28sec, second Blue Haze sailed by Kevin Paterson, 22min, third Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay, 26min 5sec and in final position Pioneer, sailed by Peter Sinclair & Tony Wilson, 27min 40sec.

The second race of the day, 1st leg of the Alliance & Leicester Shield. The Aurora romped ahead of the following fleet which was spread out across the full length of the loch when it crossed the finish line, 19min 40sec. Next to finish was the Sapphire, 22min 40sec followed by the Blue Haze, 23min 40sec, and in fourth was the Valhalla sailed by Sandy Bremner, 25min.

The new season for the Wick Model Yacht Club has finally begun. After two attempts were thwarted due to the recent bad weather causing sections of the loch to be frozen over. Our third attempt on saturday was successful in fact it was a beautiful day with a nice breeze blowing across the loch. For most it was an easy beginning to the season only requiring a stroll along the banks of the loch keeping pace with there yacht.

The first race, 1st leg of the Wm Miller Memorial Cup, began with all yachts leaving the goal, within the first few minutes the bee and the Astra collided and piroted at the 'point' luckily after 2 spins they seperated from each other and resumed the race. Not long after this, opposite the shed the Sapphire on the leeward side of the Apollo was gaining fast. Unfortunately unable to pass because of the disturbed wind. The two eventually fouled and ended up going the wrong direction, back to the beginning. This allowed the Valhalla, sailed by Sandy Bremner and Peter Sinclair, to gain the lead and maintain it until the finish. The Sapphire, having been refitted over the winter, had its direction corrected to then pass the Astra and Bee.

The final positions were: 1st place Valhalla in a time of 28min 10sec, next to cross the finish line was the Sapphire sailed by Barry Scollay, 29min 5sec. 3rd Bee sailed by Kevin & Lewis Paterson, 30min 30sec and in 4th the Astra sailed by Michael Sutherland and Brian Milligan, 45min.

The second race for the McAllan Shield, again 5 boats began. The wind direction changed slightly causing the Apollo with its flat spinnaker fitted, sailed by Donald McWilliam and Willie Thomson, to drift over towards the rocky shore near the scarf rock falling well behind its competitors. The others hugged the short shore to the far end of the loch. The Sapphire with a clean run showed everyone the way home. A very happy Barry Scollay sailing the Sapphire crossed the line in first place, 25min 50sec. Second equal was the Valhalla and the Bee in a time of 33min. Unfortunately for the Astra the wind strength dropped causing a lack of drive preventing it from finishing. The Apollo pulled out with difficulties caused by the direction of the wind and the rocky shore.