2003 Fife Regatta
Kentra, a 100′ Gaff Ketch designed for Cruising in 1923. Sitting at Anchor after her Birthday party in Rothesay Harbour.
This the largest gathering of classic yachts designed by William Fife returned to their birth place on the Clyde to participate in the 2nd Fife Regatta. 22 Yachts from around the world participated in the event which honoured the skills of Yacht Designer Wm Fife, and his yard in Fairlie, Scotland.
Free Editorial Rights in connection with the Fife Regatta 2020
Marc Turner

William Fife III (1857 – 1944) was from a family of boat builders and designers. His yard was in the small village of Fairlie on the Firth of Clyde. The remains of Wm. Fife & son’s yard were demolished in 1985 with a commemorative sculpture was erected in 2011 on Bay Street. It is therefore fitting that a collection of some of his most famous yacht designs gather together to race together and owners can enjoy their classic yachts in Fife’s home waters.

 The route for the 5th Fife Regatta plans to visit historic hidden gems along the Clyde coast. Many of the competing yachts such as Cambria, Kentra and The Blue Peter participate in international classic yacht regattas around the world and will be returning to Fairlie this June. The first event was held 21 years ago in 1998.

The venues include the foreshore where many of the yachts were conceived in the Ayrshire village of Fairlie, with nearby Largs Yacht Haven hosting the start and finish of the regatta which runs from the 4^th to the 11^th of June 2020, part of the Year of Coasts and Waters celebrations.

Altair 1931 Schooner’s Wheel.
* The Fife Yachts are one of the worldís most prestigious group of Classic yachts and this will be the third private regatta following the success of the 98,
and 03 events.
A pilgrimage to their birthplace of these historic yachts, the ëStradivariusí of sail, from Scotlandís pre-eminent yacht designer and builder, William Fife III,
on the Clyde 20th ñ27th June.
Free Editorial Rights in Connection with the Fife Regatta 2020
More information is available on the website: www.fiferegatta.com

The opening race will be around the Isle of Cumbrae on the 5^th of June, an ideal time to follow the fleet around the island by bike and discover how fast and bonnie some of the enduring design’s are.

From Fairlie on the 6^th of June, the fleet of classic yachts head north to the Upper Clyde, stopping in at Holy Loch on the Cowal peninsula. A start the following day off Hunters Quay holds a significant place in Clyde Yachting history as the boats head ‘doon the watter’ to Rothesay on the Isle of Bute on the 7^th of June.

Rothesay is a place to relax as the Clyde riviera welcomes the fleet to do just that and a lay day on Bute is planned with many of the small boats in the inner harbour , with the larger boats sitting at anchor, not dissimilar to a summer scene in the 1920’s.

On Tuesday the 9^th the yachts set course for Tighnabruaich and Kames in a parade of sail through the spectacular natural environment of the Kyles of Bute. The local hospitality is well known with the afternoon set aside to enjoy the sheltered anchorage with rowing races and shoreside social events planned.

The Fife Regatta 2008, Scotland
‘Altair’1931 Schooner amongst spectator craft.
* The Fife Yachts are one of the worldís most prestigious group of Classic yachts and this will be the third private regatta following the success of the 98, and 03 events.
A pilgrimage to their birthplace of these historic yachts, the ëStradivariusí of sail, from Scotlandís pre-eminent yacht designer and builder, William Fife III,
on the Clyde 20th ñ27th June.
Free Editorial Rights in Connection with the Fife Regatta 2020
More information is available on the website: www.fiferegatta.com

With the sailors well rested, the longest passage race takes the fleet back to Largs on the 10^th of June.  The exact route will depend on the weather, with the photographers hoping they pass beneath the mountains of Arran if they go south around Bute.

The final race is to be on the 11^th of June to the North of the Isle of Cumbrae on the Clyde, where the yachts will sail on the ‘King’s Course’, a traditional race area during the turn of last century.

Sailing in the waters they were designed for, the returning vessels will again experience our unique coasts, waters and hospitality, whilst celebrating the designs of William Fife. The enduring elegance of the classic yachts provide a moving insight into Scotland’s proud marine heritage and global legacy.

As Scotland celebrates its Coasts and Waters in 2020 with a year-long programme of events and activities which will shine a spotlight on these vital elements of our landscape and heritage.

In April Mariella will be racing in Antigua Classic Week. Duran Duran’s hit video “Rio” famously featured this famous Fife.

By Alice Widdows

www.alicewiddows.com