The final sailing day of the season was overcast, surprisingly chilly for the time of year and blustery. Each boat was fitted with mid-sized sails headed into the off-beam wind. The Thor and Blue Haze sailing side by side with slackened mainsails hugged the long side beyond the chicken rock. The Apollo adopting a different sailing method using a flat spinnaker which held it on the short shore. On the return leg the Thor with flat spinnaker attached travelled and landed in the hole. The Apollo continued with the flat spinnaker and the Blue Haze adopting a small balloon passed the Apollo clipping the edge of the hole whereas the Apollo landed in it.

Result: 1. Thor Archie & Fiona Miller 24.03, 2. BlueHaze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 25.26, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 26.30.

With a slight wind shift no appendages were added to the vessels. The Blue Haze took the lead entering the returning goal followed by the Thor then Apollo. The Thor adopted a flat spinnaker whilst the other two chose a small balloon. The BlueHaze ahead was not sailing as steadily as the Thor which cruised passed. The Apollo some way back was removed at the shed for an early finish.

Result: 1. Thor Archie & Fiona Miller 25.21, 2. BlueHaze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 25.53.

This concludes the Wick Model Yacht Clubs 90th year of sailing.

A deceptive wind blowing giving the sailors a choice of top or mid-sized sails. With top suits fitted to the Aurora and Apollo, mid-size for the Blue Haze. Spinnakers were fitted for the start. The Aurora and Blue Haze together fouled just beyond the shed where they drifted until they ran aground. The Apollo took a different line towards the chicken rock, slackening of the main sail it continued to the returning goal. Side by side the Blue Haze and Aurora crossed the line to have spinnakers removed for the return leg. Tacking to and fro they returned, the Apollo falling behind, as the finish line approached the Aurora landed in the Hole allowing the Blue Haze to continue unopposed.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 31.48, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 32.42, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 34.00.

During the interval the wind picked up slightly improving the pace of the Apollo which with spinnaker fitted followed the short shore. The Aurora and Blue Haze both had to negotiate their way round the chicken rock loosing loads of time. The Apollo with a large lead proceeded to the finish line in first position.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 26.18, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 30.41, 3. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 31.30.

A light breeze blowing across the loch, each model yacht fitted with its top suit and a flat spinnaker. The beam wind requires only a single tack from end to end. From the start the Apollo and Blue Haze were drawn towards the chicken rock with adjustment their direction was corrected. The quicker sailing Aurora and Apollo arrrived at the returning goal together. On the return leg the Aurora eked a modest lead ahead of the chasing Apollo. The under sailed Blue Haze took final position.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 26.22, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 26.33, 3. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 33.56.

The second race with a slight wind shift allowed the Blue Haze to sail without its flat spinnaker matching its pace with the Aurora. The Aurora was the first on the return leg with its flat spinnaker swapped, the Blue Haze fitted with a small balloon chasing and the Apollo marginally behind. The Aurora continued in lead following the short shore. The Blue Haze backfilled and upon recovery was removed from the race. The Apollo slowly completed the race.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 26.35, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 31.19.

Saturdays race began overcast with light winds as the race progressed the heavens opened releasing heavy rain. As this eased the thunder started to roll from the south following the coast towards Sarclet. The wind eased almost to the point of disappearing it did swap directions a couple of times but fortunately not long enough to affect the slow progress being made.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 40.37, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 45.40, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 48.13.

For the second race after the interval the sky changed the clouds lifted allowing the sun to shine through. With a strengthened beam wind sailing was much quicker and more predictable. The three vessels had little to differentiate them. On the return the Blue Haze led briefly only to be passed by the faster Apollo.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 21.03, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 21.28, 3. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 25.38.

A breezy day very similar to the previous weekend. Small sails were fitted to the Blue Haze and Aurora and mid-size for the Apollo. From the startline with spinnakers fitted the Aurora and Apollo were blown to the long side requiring adjustment. The Apollo equalling the Blue Haze arrived at the returning goal. The Aurora however sailed directly across the loch and sat there with no assistance as no sailor was nearby. On the return the Apollo moving slowly allowed the Blue Haze to pass.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 28.42, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 34.54.

With a larger spinnaker fitted the Apollo was much quicker outward bound although it suffered on the return. The Aurora sailing the quickest into the wind required a tack at the mouth of the finishing goal giving the following Blue Haze a chance to catch. When the whistle blew to finish the race only 4 seconds separated the boats.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie Miller 24.54, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 24.58, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 26.58.

A blustery day requiring the smallest sails to be fitted. Spinnakers were used on the outbound leg. The Aurora and Blue Haze together following the short side of the loch. The marginally undersailed Apollo drifted towards the chicken rock only to be removed from the race. The Aurora and Blue Haze continued swapping the lead as they sailed to and fro on the return. The Aurora with an extra tack managed to avoid the hole whereas the Blue Haze had to negotiate its exit.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 31.33, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 37.20.

The Apollo was refitted with mid-sized sails for the second race. The model yachts this time went to the long side. The Aurora and Blue Haze avoided the chicken rock unlike the Apollo which fell behind. On the return the Blue Haze and Aurora again were neck & neck at the hole . The Blue Haze as the previous race negotiated its way out of the hole sailing higher into the wind the Aurora sailed over to the point before crossing the finish line.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 29.18, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 30.42, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 33.04.

The Wick Model Yacht Club held the annual InterCounty Challenge sailing against the Kirkwall Model Yacht Club competing eight races over two days. This event took place over the MayDay weekend the 30th of April and the 1st of May.

The Wick club with their 4ft class vessels (no steering gear)

• Aurora sailed by Archie & Fiona Miller
• Blue Haze sailed by Kevin & Lewis Paterson
• Apollo sailed by Donald McWilliam

The Kirkwall club, 10rater class with vane gear, (autonomous steering).

• Highlander sailed by Ian Kirkness & Alan Walls & Bill Drever

First race - 1st Leg of Thrumster Estate Cup

With mid-sized sails fitted the Blue Haze and Apollo were neck and neck from the startline closely followed by the Highlander and Aurora. The Aurora was moving very quickly but required more tacks as it wasn't sailing as high to the wind as the others. On the return the Apollo fitted its spinnaker to the port side. The Blue Haze close behind took a different approach by fitting its spinnaker to the starboard side. The Apollo bounced down the shore shore giving the advantage for Blue Haze to pass, only to suffer from a minor backfill at the shed allowing the Apollo to recoup its position. The Aurora backfilled crossing the loch to the long side whereupon the spinnaker was swapped to the opposing side to continue.

Result: 1. Apollo 28.23, 2. Blue Haze 28.30, 3. Highlander 31.49, 4. Aurora 35.20.

Second race - 1st leg of Quatercentenary Cup

The Highlander and Apollo leading together tacking to and fro. Aurora next followed by the Blue Haze sailing slowly but high. Highlander first on the return leg required only one adjustment at the burn continued directly to the finishing line. The Apollo fitted with a large spinnaker ahead of the Aurora with spinnakers on the starboard side sailed towards the hole. The Blue Haze with the spinnaker on the port side hugged the short shore until an adjustment to move the spinnaker boom back drove the boat to the hole. The three Wick boats one by one exited the hole to cross the finish line.

Result: 1. Highlander 24.53, 2. Apollo 28.52, 3. Aurora 29.44, 4. Blue Haze 31.28.

Third race - 2nd Leg of Thrumster Estate Cup

Apollo, Highlander and Blue Haze were side by side sailing into the wind. At the chicken rock the Apollo nudged the Blue Haze to the opposing tack. At the burn the Blue Haze collided with the Apollo turning it onto the opposite tack. Then at the returning goal the Highlander clipped and spun the Blue Haze. As these occurrences were happening the Apollo ploughed through first to set off on the return leg, followed by the Highlander and Blue Haze. The Aurora was playing catchup. The Blue Haze caught and passed the Highlander briefly, until it was struck from behind pirouetting both. Backfilling the Blue Haze sending it to the hole, the Highlander recovered and continued to the finish. Despite sailing erratically with spinnaker fitted the Aurora pipped the Blue haze for third place.

Result: 1. Apollo 27.49, 2. Highlander 28.19, 3. Aurora 31.29, 4. Blue Haze 32.33.

Fourth race - 2nd Leg of Quatercentenary Cup

Into the wind the Apollo, Highlander and Aurora were neck and neck. At the chicken rock they were turned onto the other tack, the Apollo and Highlander picked up some weed which slowed their progress allowing the Blue Haze to pass. At the return goal with spinnakers fitted on the port side the leading Aurora was gradually losing its advantage to the Blue Haze. At the halfway point they were neck and neck. The Aurora exploiting the gusts just held on to the lead.

Result: 1. Aurora 28.02, 2. Blue Haze 28.17, 3. Apollo 29.30, 4. Highlander 32.39.

Saturday concluded as follows:

Thrumster Estate Cup, races 1 & 3

1. Apollo 12points
2. Highlander 9
3. Blue Haze 8
4. Aurora 7

QuaterCentenary Cup races 2 & 4

1. Aurora 10points
2. Highlander 9 (57.32)
3. Apollo 9 (58.22)
4. Blue Haze 8

Sunday

Fifth race - 1st leg of MayDay Shield

The wind was very light, top suits fitted. Blue Haze moving slowly hugged the short shore. The Apollo, Aurora and Highlander behind. On the return the wind had shifted to become more beam. Only the Apollo decided to use a spinnaker. The Blue Haze bounced along the short shore followed by the Apollo which initially was drifting towards the hole an increase in wind speed redirected the Apollo towards the goal.

Result: 1. Blue Haze 30.24, 2. Apollo 32.46, 3. Highlander 35.45, 4. Aurora 40.25.

Sixth race - 1st Leg of SMYA Northern Trophy

The beam wind continued. The Aurora and Apollo decided to sail without flat spinnakers moving towards the shed, the Blue Haze with flat spinnaker drifted to the chicken rock, the Highlander with the best configuration sailed directly down the middle of the loch almost achieving an end to end run. On the return Highlander had a substantial lead the three Wick boats behind were together. At the shed the Blue Haze caught and passed the Apollo only to backfill allowing the Apollo and Aurora to pass.

Result: 1. Highlander 21.29, 2. Apollo 26.29, 3. Aurora 28.42, 4. Blue Haze 51.48.

Seventh race - 2nd leg of MayDay Shield

A change in wind direction occurred during the interval. Aurora and Blue Haze with flat spinnakers landed at the edge of the hole to correct the direction the spinnakers were removed. The Highlander continued to the long side at the chicken rock. The Apollo moving slowly up the short side. Highlander sailing quicker was the first on the return leg. The Blue Haze backfilled at the mouth of the return goal allowing the Apollo to pass. The Aurora also backfilled returning to the start and was removed from the race. The remaining vessels hugged the short shore as the finish line approached.

Result: 1. Highlander 41.08, 2. Apollo 41.15, 3. Blue Haze 42.34.

Eighth race - 2nd Leg of SMYA Northern Trophy

From the start the Highlander seemed to catch all of the brief gusts creating a lead whereas the Wick boats together were left behind to have their own race. On the return the untouchable Highlander was so far ahead that it was a blur in the distance. Aurora marginally ahead was slowly being caught by the Blue Haze and Apollo for a very close second, third and fourth positions.

Result: 1. Highlander 30.58, 2. Aurora 34.22, 3. Blue Haze 34.39, 4. Apollo 34.56.

Sunday concluded as follows:

MayDay Shield races 1 & 3

1. Blue Haze 10 (72.58)
2. Apollo 10 (74.01)
3. Highlander 10 (76.13)
4. Aurora 3

SMYA Northern Trophy races 2 & 4

1. Highlander 12
2. Aurora 9
3. Apollo 8
4. Blue Haze 7

The races held during this MayDay event were varying not one vessel was significantly dominant as the trophies were shared between each sailing team. The overall winner with the most accumulated points, albeit by a small margin, was the Orcadian team with the Highlander.

Viking Cup - Most Overall points

1. Highlander 40
2. Apollo 39
3. Blue Haze 33
4. Aurora 29

Bill Drever Cup - best Orcadian vessel

1. Highlander 40

A strong wind blowing down the loch necessitated each model yacht to adopt their smallest sails. From the start line spinnakers were fitted on the port side. The Aurora and Blue Haze were both blown towards the long side the gusts would heel the boats driving them to the short shore. The Apollo with smaller spinnaker hugged the short shore requiring numerous adjustments losing time. On the return with spinnakers removed to boats tacked to and fro towards the finish line. A rejuvenated Apollo was catching the Blue Haze for a close finish.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 28.31, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 30.19, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 30.31.

The second race of the day to accommodate the wind conditions the Blue Haze adopted a smaller spinnaker whereas the Apollo team chose the opposite tact with a larger spinnaker. The Blue Haze was much more stable and steadily sailed to the return goal ahead of the others. On the return at the chicken rock the Blue Haze had to negotiate the rocky shoreline as the quicker Apollo sailed past, Onwards to the 'hole' they were turned on to the losing tack heading across to the shed they again were turned aiming for the finish line.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 27.02, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 27.30, 3. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 29.14.

A blustery day demanding each of the model yachts to be fitted with their smallest sails so that they would remain upright and controllable. Spinnakers were fitted for the outward leg the Aurora blown towards the chicken rock, the Apollo to the short shore with the Blue Haze down the middle. On the return Blue Haze ahead faltered with a tight mainsail making progress slow. The Aurora and Apollo passed, each vessel required two tacks to reach the finish line.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 29.43, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 30.46, 3. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 32.06.

The second race began with the Aurora and Apollo both blown towards the chicken rock with an adjustment to the mainsail their direction was corrected. The Blue Haze cruised down the middle. As before the Aurora and Apollo were moving much faster performing two tacks across the loch but with a minor shift in wind direction the Blue Haze only required a single tack although slower it sailed from goal to goal in a shorter distance saving time.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 27.15, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 29.02, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 32.12.

A strong blustery beam wind was blowing across the loch from the sea. Each model yacht was fitted with its smallest sails in addition each adopted a flat spinnaker. From the start the Apollo hugged the short shore after several attempts of adjusting, the flat spinnaker was removed to regain orientation to the returning goal. The Blue Haze and Aurora pulled into the wind to the long side each time the main was eased to adjust direction. The Apollo sailing more consistently stretched and maintained a small lead. On the return the flat spinnakers were reversed to the opposing side of the yachts. The Apollo and Aurora both followed the short side towards the finish line the Blue Haze headed to the 'hole'.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 27.39, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 31.10, 3. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 31.31.

During the interval the wind had increased further white horses were appearing on the wave tops its direction also changed very slightly to be off-beam. At the start the Apollo got away cleanly however the Aurora and Blue Haze did not they collided spun round did a little dance then returned to the startline. By the time they were recovered the Apollo was ahead in the far distance. On the return leg a small balloon spinnaker was chosen by the Aurora and Blue Haze.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 22.21, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 27.18 3. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 28.10.

Saturday a beautiful day with a chill in the air. The Aurora fitted with its largest sails, the Blue Haze with midsized. The whistle blows to start the race, both boats begin on the same tack heading towards the shed where they were redirected to the opposing gaining tack. At this moment we could see there was a difference between the boats the Aurora was moving much quicker but not sailing as high to the wind whereas the Blue Haze was slower but sailing higher. Although these differences appear substantial the boats were evenly matched arriving at the returning goal together. The Aurora with spinnaker fitted to the starboard side was now marginally ahead although heading towards the 'hole'. The Blue Haze with spinnaker fitted to the port side hugged the short shore. Once the Aurora touched the shore it was adjusted and redirected aiming for the finishing goal its pace was much quicker closing the gap to the Blue Haze.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 30:37, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 31:00.

A slight decrease in wind gave the Aurora the advantage with the larger fitted sails. From the get go the Blue Haze fell behind requiring adjusting. At the return goal the Blue Haze narrowed the gap. Spinnakers were fitted on the port side to both vessels. As the race progressed following the short shore to the finish line the Aurora maintained its lead.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 34.04, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 35.04.

With three model yachts in attendance we began racing with light favourable winds. Each boat was fitted with its largest sails. Outward bound with a headwind the vessels tacked to and fro down the loch. After the whistle blew its was clear the Aurora was the faster sailing yacht it stretched a lead ahead of the following Blue Haze and Apollo. On the return with spinnakers fitted the Aurora followed by the Blue Haze sailed steadily to the finish line the Apollo was removed from racing after a backfill.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 32:18, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 33:38.

During the interval the wind dramatically increased requiring each vessel to reduce sail size to their smallest.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 25:26, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 26:50, 3. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 28:28.

Saturday was a deceivingly breezy day which split the fleet in to two sail choices medium and small. At the startline the wind was blowing on our backs so the boats were fitted with spinnakers. When the whistle blew the Blue Haze pulled away leaving the faltering boats behind. The Apollo was pushed to the long side, an oversailled Aurora heeled over driving it to the short shore followed by the Kirstanne, each requiring adjustment. On the return with spinnakers removed the Blue Haze leading, sailing close to the eye of the wind but moving slowly. The Aurora moving much quicker but not sailing as high required two tacks across the loch allowed the Apollo to close.

Result: 1. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 25.50, 2. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 28:40, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 28.44, 3. Kirstanne Michael Sutherland 31.02.

The second race saw the Aurora stretch an early lead pursued by the Apollo. The Blue Haze and Kristanne unfortunately collided forcing the Kirstanne’s removal. The Blue Haze caught and passed the Apollo which struck the rocky shore before the ‘chicken’ rock. The Apollo’s double tack on the return allowed the Blue Haze to gradually reduce the gap.

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 25:50, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 26.13, 3. Apollo Donald McWilliam & Willie Thomson 32.05.

Race 1

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 31.03, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & William Thomson 32.46.

Race 2

Result: 1. Aurora Archie & Fiona Miller 32.11, 2. Apollo Donald McWilliam & William Thomson 37.16.

A bright sunny day with a reasonable breeze blowing, both participating model yachts were fitted with mid sized sails for the conditions. From the startline with spinnakers flying on the starboard side the first race of the season began. Outward bound the Blue Haze backfilled losing time to the Apollo which only touched the shore once. On the return a long tack to the ‘hole’ redirected to the shed then onwards to the finishing line.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam 27.48, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 38.40.

The second race was as the first but the wind had increased as a consequence the boats became marginally oversailed becoming unstable on the spinnaker run meandering to and fro.

Result: 1. Apollo Donald McWilliam 31.20, 2. Blue Haze Kevin & Lewis Paterson 33.30.