Albacore Internationals ready to roll at Largs Sailing Club

12:23 AM Wed 15 Jul 2009 GMT

'Judy Armstrong races her varnished cold moulded Albacore. Photo: Alan Henderson' &copy Fotoboat.com Click Here to view large photo

It only comes once every two years. It is what all the sailors look forward to. It is what they come for from far and wide. It is the Albacore Internationals, held from 18 to 24 July, at Largs Sailing Club.

Just a few days ago, entries breached the 50 entry barrier. A container full of Albacores from Canada is now at Largs, and will soon be open as the owners fly in. Other competitors are coming from the USA, from the Shetland Isles, from the rest of the UK, and there is a strong team of 16 boats from around Scotland.

Just four days from now, all will be launching for the first race. Within the Benromach Albacore Internationals, the UK Nationals will also be competed for from Saturday 18 to Monday 20 July. But all races from Saturday 18 through to the end of the Championship on Friday 24 July will count towards the Internationals title.

Current International Champion, Barney Harris, has come to Scotland to defend the title he won back home in the USA in 2007. He faces a strong challenge from the Canadians, who are skilled at big fleet racing, from Scots like Crawford Reid and Stuart Gibson, and from UK sailors like Scottish Champions Judy and Paul Armstrong, and UK Inland Champion Nigel Potter.

So there will be plenty to watch in the battle between countries, but there is also a philosophical battle to watch among the sailors. The Albacore is a rare class in which old wooden boats are still highly competitive against the latest plastic fantastics. The cold moulded construction of the Albacore has produced very stiff hulls, which last very well, and many top sailors use hulls up to 25 years old. Will the lovers of the beauty of varnished wood continue to hold out against the latest hi tech FRP hulls?

Keep watching the Benromach Albacore Internationals to find out the answer.

The Albacore dinghy is a 15 foot long, two person planing dinghy, designed in 1954 by Uffa Fox. It is constructed in wood or fibreglass, and over 8000 examples have been built. The Albacore is fast and lively while being relatively easy to learn to sail and race. Albacores are raced principally in the UK, USA and Canada.

For more background on the class see our website www.albacore.org.uk

Albacore Internationals are the top Championships of the class, and are held once every two years. Albacore UK Nationals are held every year, and many other regional, national or continental championships are held regularly.

The previous Albacore Internationals were held at West River SC, Maryland USA in 2007. The reigning International Champions are Barney Harris and David Byron, of the USA.

by Fotoboat PR

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