2014 marked the 25th year of Largs Regatta Week, currently sponsored by Peelports. The “Week” evolved from linking the Cumbraes Regatta to the then new race on the Clyde, the Scottish Two Handed Race, and running mid week evening racing. This has been a popular formula for the last 25 years and for 2014 ,to celebrate the occasion, the event laid on a marquee and live dance band as well as a special prize of a magnum of champagne, sponsored by local company Coastworks, being awarded to the best performance by a boat over 25 years old.

Blessed with an excellent forecast of sunshine and wind entry numbers increased to 83, up from previous years, and were swelled by the visiting one design Etchells class from Gourock. Saturday saw 4 windward/leeward races for keelboats and 4 races for dinghies in 15 – 18 knots of wind, a test of skill and stamina in some of the gusts. Overall winner of the weekend was local boy, John Reekie, with his Musto skiff, taking 3 firsts out of 4 races, a great achievement considering the physical demands of racing this tweaky boat in breezy conditions.

For the first time the organisers had invited the Coastal Rowing Clubs in the area to participate, 6 clubs entered and created a spectacle rowing along the Largs shore.

Sunday saw a delayed start due to the sunny and windless morning, the keelboats managing to sail one circuit of Great Cumbrae in light airs. The dinghy racing was cancelled on Sunday but the visiting Challenger fleet, although not racing, enjoyed a gentle sail to the south of the island.

As part of the Regatta the RNLI ran a bottle raffle, a raffle for a brand new Subaru car and carried out checks on boat owners lifejackets as part of their Sea Safety drive.

All in all there was a festive and busy feel to the whole event. More racing is scheduled for Tuesday/Wednesday/Thursday evenings followed by the Scottish Two Handed Race and Hems Kalis dinghy series on Saturday. Awards for Yacht and Dinghy of the Week will be closely fought over and presented on Sunday 31st.

Results: Weekend Series Class 1 - 1. Aurora (R Stuart) 2.Zephyr (S Cowie) 3.Roxstar (J Anderson); Class 2 - 1. Mayrise (J Miller), 2. Cool Bandit (C Anderson), 3. Leaky Roof 2 (A Harper); Class 3 - 1. Ovi Boats (D Hepplewhite), 2. Salamander XXI (J Corson), 3. Sloop John T (I Thomson); Class 4 - 1. Farr E Nuff (J Kent), 2. Zebedee (G Wilson), 3.So ( G Martel); Class 5 (restricted) - 1. Breagha (B Bocker), 2. Leumadair (M Homer), 3.Solus (R Forrest); Etchells - 1. Local Hero (G Howison), 2. Mayhem (M Hall), 3. Diablo (C Calder); Fast handicap dinghies - 1. Musto Skiff (J Reekie), 2.Cherub (P and C Alderson), 3. 29er (L Marr and L Johnstone); Slow handicap dinghies - 1 420 (R Mawer and R Coles), 2. Laser radial (A Malone), 3. Solo (E MacPherson); Round Cumbraes Race Class 1 - 1. Aurora; 2.Roxstar 3.Prime Suspect (C Frize); Class 2 - 1. Leaky Roof (A Harper), 2. Mayrise (J Miller) 3. Lingo (Bill McKay); Class 3 - 1. Sloop John T (I Thomson); 2. Salamander XXI, 3. Carmen 2 (P Scutt); Class 4 - 1. Excalibur (B young) 2 Zebedee (G Wilson) 3 So (G Martel) Class 5 (restricted) - 1 Leumadair 2 Breagha 3. Solus;