The Port Edgar Yacht Club in South Queensferry has proudly supported the only GB team to compete in the final of the European Sailing Champions’ League held over 22nd-24th September at Yacht Club Costa Smeralda in Porto Cervo, Sardinia.
Sadly, it was not to be on this occasion for the Queensferry-based GB sailing team, but the all-Scots crew comprising Callum Calder on helm and Iain Dick, Callum Reid and Ramsay Leuchers enjoyed the experience of a lifetime, competing against the top 31 finalists drawn from over 300 elite sailing clubs across Europe, racing J/70 class yachts in the ultimate keelboat challenge of the year.
The Port Edgar campaign to compete in a series of qualifying events and the final would not have been possible without its dedicated sponsors. Essential financial assistance was drawn from multiple sources to give to allow the team to participate very effectively throughout the event:
- The Port Edgar YC supported the race team through the qualifying rounds in the UK National Sailing League and to reach the final of European Sailing Champions League by paying entry fees and a travel/accommodation allowance
- Crowd funding through members of the PEYC contributed a total of £1,000
- John Stamp of ‘Makars’ restaurant on the Mound, Edinburgh for a significant contribution, for which the team is particularly grateful
- The Forth Yacht Clubs Association generously donated £1,000
Callum Calder reflected: “We were absolutely delighted to take part in the finals of this prestigious sailing event having successfully raced in St. Petersberg, Russia and latterly qualified in St. Moritz, Switzerland, to compete in the finals in Porto Cervo. None of this would have been possible without the overwhelmingly generous support of our sponsors back here in Scotland.”
Despite not securing a place in the medals this time, the Port Edgar YC will continue to provide outstanding facilities to develop it’s keen young keel boat sailors in anticipation of the 2018 Champions League. This is one of the cornerstone activities of the Port Edgar YC among a plethora of other water sports including yacht and dinghy racing, yacht cruising, and race training.
The Sailing Champions’ League final 2017 bought together 31 crews, from 12 European nations, some with America’s Cup and/or Volvo Ocean racing experience (http://sailing-championsleague.com/).
The Port Edgar Yacht Club is part of the Port Edgar facilities, which are currently subject to intensive regeneration. The club is a very active racing club for both beginners and experienced races. The marina has approximately 300 berths and facilities include shower block, laundry, sail makers, rigging specialists, chandlery, gantry lift and more.
The tidal water offers exciting racing for yachts and dinghies throughout the year and welcomes anyone with an interest in sailing to try out racing with an experienced skipper. There are also plenty of opportunities for those who enjoy a cruise on the Forth estuary. The club is highly accessible for any boat owner and lies within one hour by car from Dundee, Perth, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
For more information see the club website: www.peyc.org.uk
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