AROUND 70 top flight teams from all over the UK and Ireland took part in the Kip Regatta last weekend.

The event was organised by the Royal Western Yacht Club and has been running for more than 20 years.

It is the first major race of the Scottish season and sailed on the Firth of Clyde at Kip Marina in some of the best racing conditions for some time.

Chris Bonar and his crew aboard the BH36 Bateleur prevailed to take the coveted overall best performance from the whole fleet racing in IRC Class 1.

A particularly strong class attracting seven entries, two of which Absolutely and the The Black Prince had come over from Port Edgar Yacht Club on the Forth.

Royal Gourock Yacht Club member Steve Cowie racing his First 40 Zephyr took third overall in class with Rod Stuart's Elan 40 Eos just taking second.

IRC Class 2 had another east coaster in the form of Port Edgar Yacht Club's Jonathan Stamp with his J-109 Jacob. It was to be Rhu-based Paul Scott's Beneteau Carmen that would win through in the end though.

The newly formed CYCA Class 3 for this regatta saw seven entries come to the line with Kip based Scott Chalmers' Sigma 400 Sunrise dominating the class with straight wins ahead of John Fraser's Dufor 40 Wookie.

Dave Kelly took the Etchell 22 Mayhem to title success ahead of the Howison brothers in Local Hero and Holy Loch-based Robert Paterson's Blue in third.

Of the four SB20's to take to the water for this Regatta ahead of their Nationals at the Scottish Series in a fortnight's time it was Doug Paton in FCNK who got the top slot, again with consistency proving the way to win with four firsts and a second.

IRC Class 4 was the biggest class for the weekend with 11 entries. The three J-97's Jackaroo, Jaywalker and Fever dominating the class throughout, and ultimately taking the top three slots as well. The Hamble-based Fever of Grant Gordon in 1st, Kip based Jaywalker second and last year's overall winner Jackaroo third.

The CYCA class 4 was another good class with nine entries, although all fairly close on handicap. Alan Harper's Sigma 33 Leaky Roof II with two firsts and second places took top slot with John Kent's evergreen Farr 747 Farr E Nuff second ahead of another Sigma 33 Mayrise.

The Restricted Sail class had a less arduous day and a leisurely 11am starting time.

Saturday's race took the fleet north to Royal Gourock, Strone and Kilcreggan before heading back south to a finish off Kip Marina.

Ricky Gray's Bavaria 38 Leomaris won that race ahead of Chris Laverty sailing the Grand Soleil 40 Saphire.

Sunday gave the fleet a southbound course with the welcome addition of Richard Murton's MGRS 34 Applecore from Holy Loch Sailing Club to swell the ranks.

Saphire took line honours and first on handicap to secure the class overall.

The Royal Western Yacht Club thank main sponsors Savills, Boat Electrics and Electronics and Key Yachting (Scotland).