The Atlantis Round Skye Challenge is a new yacht race to circumnavigate the Isle of Skye in the quickest possible time.
Sponsored by Seaprobe Atlantis Glass Bottom Boat Trips, Kyle of Lochalsh. The course is 118 nautical miles with difficult
tidal conditions in several locations throughout the course. Skippers can plan their route going either North or South with
the start point always being Kyle of Lochalsh. Yachts can leave on a time and date of their choosing once registered with
the race organisers. The Race started on the 31st October 2007 and competitors have until November 1st 2008 to enter
this years race. There is still plenty of time to enter.
For many yachts the race duration will be more than 24hrs long, so only suitably manned & equipped yachts can enter.
The first yacht to complete the course was 'Galwyn' a Deep Sea dog based at Kyle of Lochalsh, on the16th of February '08 in
a time of 31 hours, 30 minutes and 04 seconds. The crew consisted of Nigel Smith and Willie Kennedy, both from Kyle of Lochalsh.
Exhausted on arrival in Kyle Nigel said "I can't wait to try it again, but this time without the mistakes"! Willie who has a lifetimes
experience sailing these waters said "this race is a challenge to the very best of skippers, to get tide and wind going in all the
right directions at all the right times is virtually impossible to acheive".
It is anticipated that competitors will spend more hours planning their attempt than they will spend actually doing it!!
Entry Details: £15 per yacht registration fee. (payable each attempt, with a maximum 2 attempts per year, any more than that and
you'll get dizzy)! cheque made payable to LYC / Atlantis Round Skye Challenge:
Prize: Winner receives the Atlantis Challenge Trophy and £350 cash..
Registration forms are available from Tomo or can be emailed to you if you send your contact details to seaprobe@msn.com
or write to me, details below.
Nigel Smith, Atlantis Round Skye Challenge, 4 Upper Breakish, Breakish, Isle of Skye, IV428PY. Tel: 01471 822716
email. seaprobe@msn.com
The Atlantis Round Skye Challenge.
Objective – Circumnavigate Skye in the quickest time by Sail alone
Participants - Open to ANY seaworthy, suitably crewed and equipped
yachts capable of day and night sailing that comply with the Lochalsh
flotilla handicapping system and racing rules.
Date of Race –
Atlantis Round Skye Challenge – Non stop circumnavigation of the
Island. Anytime between 31st October 2007 and 1st November. Annually
Route Particulars –
At entrants discretion, Circumnavigate Skye by heading North or South
starting from Startline, Kyle of Lochalsh. Pass either side of Raasay or
Scalpay in Inner Sound.
Time Keeping –
On departure – Report to Time Keeper at start line.
On Return – Report to Time Keeper on approach to finish line.
( Yachts to Notify timekeepers of intended route, whether Nth or Sth. )
Handicapping – As per Lochalsh Flotilla / CCC System
Entries –. £15 per yacht registration fee. Maximum best of 2 attempts each
season per yacht.
All entries to register with Nigel Smith or Tomo Kyle
Atlantis Round Skye Challenge – see contact details above.
Results and awards. Announced November ‘08
Fastest Yacht to complete course will receive the
Prize of £350 + Atlantis Challenge Trophy
sponsored by www.seaprobeatlantis.com
Safety –
The decision to participate in this race is at the sole discretion of the skipper. The skipper accepts whole responsibility for the safety of his/her crew, equipment and vessel. It is the skippers responsibility to ensure that the vessel is fully found, thoroughly seaworthy and manned by an experienced crew who have undergone appropriate training and are physically fit to face bad
weather. The person in charge must be satisfied as to the soundness of hull, spars, rigging, sails and all gear. They must ensure that all safety equipment is properly maintained and stowed and that the crew knows where it is kept and how it is to be used.
The Decision to participate in this race or to continue racing is the complete and unlimited responsibility of the person in charge alone.
Reporting - Notify Stornoway CG at departure Kyle and at arrival Kyle..
There is sufficient VHF coverage all around Skye to request assistance from
Stornoway at anytime if required.
Yacht position to be recorded minimum every 2 hours. Positions and Distance run to be submitted to Nigel at end of race.
Note: Shortest Circumnavigation is approximately 118 miles and could exceed 24hrs in duration.
Any crew & yachts in doubt as to their ability to compete safely should not enter the race.
Race organisers reserve the right to refuse entry to any poorly equipped boats or crew.
Current Times:
Departure Date. Yacht. Time. Distance sailed. Average speed. Route Taken . Wind. Tide. Crew. Type
1st attempt -
1. 16th Feb '08 Galwyn (Kyle) 31 hrs 30 mins 132 miles (exact) 4.20 kts. Going South SW Neaps 2 *LK/K
2. 18th Apr '08 Aquila (Kyle) 23 hrs 00 mins 145 miles (estimate) 6.30 kts. Going South E - NE Springs 4 *FK/B
2nd attempt -
1.
2.
* LK/K - Long Keel Ketch
* FK/B - Fin Keel Bermuda rig