Benromach National 18 Foot Championships ? Final Results

Press release issued 11th August 2008

Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky was the headline sponsor for the National 18 Foot Championships, which took place in Findhorn from the 3rd to the 8th August 2008.

Hosted by the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club, the event saw twenty-four dinghies from throughout the UK and Ireland compete and sail various courses in the Moray Firth in light and variable winds, over the six day event.  It was a very close competition between the top six, with only a few points separating second to seventh place.  The eventual winners, determined by the lowest aggregate score over the 6 days, and awarded the Cork Harbour Trophy, were the Aqua Holics

The best-placed local boat, Don?t Worry was presented with a new trophy, the Crystal Ships Decanter, kindly donated by Glencairn Crystal.  Don?t worry was sailed by Stuart and Richard Urquhart and Ross Young.     

Prize giving took place on the lawn of the Royal Findhorn Yacht Club in the warm evening sun.  All entrants were presented with a whisky and Scottish produce hamper courtesy of Benromach Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  David Urquhart, Joint Managing Director of Benromach Distillery presented the hampers along with his wife Sheila. 

Warm thanks were extended to all the event organisers, bar staff, catering, rescue and race management.  The event proved very successful for sailors and family alike.

The 2009 National 18 Championships will be hosted by Thamesis and is to be held at The Olympic Sailing Centre, Weymouth.

Over the course of the Championships, Benromach hosted a reception, conducted tastings for competitors and provided opportunities for visitors to tour Benromach Distillery, which is located less than a mile from Findhorn Bay.

Benromach is Speyside's smallest working distillery.  Only two experienced distillers hand craft Benromach using the finest Scottish barley and pure spring water from the nearby Romach Hills.  Specially selected casks are then filled with the 'new make' spirit before being left to mature at the distillery for many years.

The National 18' began in 1938 following a design competition organised by the Royal Yachting Association and Yachting World magazine. The original winning idea was an 18 foot sailing dinghy, suitable for day sailing, yet fast enough to be of interest to racing sailors and at a reasonable cost.