Event: ELYC Regatta 2025, hosted at East Lothian Yacht Club over 7 – 8 June 2025
Report by Jamie Hilton
Hilton finally crowned Musto Skiff Scottish Champion
As per tradition, the first weekend in June marks the annual regatta at East Lothian Yacht Club (ELYC) in North Berwick. A superb venue with its idyllic setting and rich championship heritage; it’s a regular favourite on the Scottish Skiff northern circuit.
This year saw fourteen entries made up of Musto Skiffs, 29ers, RS800s and a handful of i14s, with a majority crew of moonlighting Musto Skiff helms.
Whilst a soft forecast for Saturday didn’t set expectations alight, the skiff fleet headed out to the east course upon release from the beach, only to arrive at the race area as the wind died off with a sea breeze trying to force its way in. Unfortunately, that never really got going, and the race officer hoisted AP over A, thereby sending the fleet ashore.
As luck would have it, the gradient wind kicked back in from the west as the fleet neared home, and with it, the majority of the skiffs enjoyed some ad hoc racing under rabbit start and round the lobster pots. Suitably worn out, the fleet headed ashore to enjoy, first, the superb clubhouse bar before enjoying a feast in the local Italian.
Come Sunday morning, a much firmer breeze was blowing down the Forth, and boats headed out for four races. Conditions were good for racing, if not a little chilly, with around 10 knots from the west. Those who went left up the first beat looked handsome come the top mark, despite the stronger flood tide out in the main channel. Jamie Hilton led the fleet out of the start line and arrived at the top mark amongst the 14s before setting off down the run from whence he came, again making the most of better pressure on the shore side of the course.
The 14s started to eke out a decent lead, but after 2 laps, it was Hilton who took the win narrowly on corrected time for the well-sailed 14 of Josh Kerr and Ali Kent. Euan Hurter was the second Musto over the water, and then Steve Robson and Jono Shelley were some way back, having rolled the dice every leg trying to get a foothold in the proceedings. It so turned out that he’d been seen trying to raid lobster pots on the first run but was unable to ‘claw’ his way back.
Race 2 saw most of the fleet head left again to follow the formula of the previous race. Euan led out of the left, but again it was Hilton, who had tacked immediately out of the start to the unfancied right side, who came out narrowly in the lead. Euan pushed him hard, especially on the downwind, but it was Hilton again who led into the finish. Jono this time taking third.
Race 3 saw the return to form of the Jono we know, coming hot out of the start and winning the left side of the beat. Hilton was still going well, though, and managed to slip around the top mark in first place as Jono left the door open on his tack. Clearly irritated, Jono attacked hard down the run, pushing the right-hand corner. Hilton yielded too easily, handing Shelley the ascendancy.
Still nip and tuck at the bottom gate, Jono took the right-hand gate to get back out left, and Hilton the opposite. Now on split tacks, it could have gone either way. It was the left side again that prevailed on this lap, with Jono taking a 90-second lead by the top mark, which he held to the finish. Dan Trotter and Stu Keegan took third place in their 14 just ahead of Angus Marshall and Ricard Hope in their RS800, having made the right-side look like the ‘right’ side on the first lap.
Race 4 again saw Jono wrestle control on the first beat, this time from Euan, with Hilton unable to make any impact on these two. It was Josh/Ali, though, in their 14 who made the biggest splash, picking up the race win with a seamless display.
In the end, this saw Jamie taking the overall win and ‘Scottish Championship’ title with a 1, 1, 2, (4) ahead of Jono’s (6), 3 ,1, 2.
Huge thanks to ELYC, who really do put on a great event in a properly nice part of the world. All volunteer run, and all with a smile. It’s been fantastic, as per always.
Next up for the Musto fleet, we have the Birkett at Ullswater in early July. Get your entries in before it inevitably maxes out. Hope to see you there.
Overall Results
Final results for the Musto Skiff class at the ELYC Regatta 2025:
- 1st Place – Jamie Hilton (1st skiff overall)
- 2nd Place – Jono Shelley (2nd skiff overall)
- 3rd Place – Euan Hurter (4th skiff overall)
- 4th Place – Steve Robson (6th skiff overall)
- 5th Place – Alistair Kerr (8th skiff overall)
Full results via East Lothian Yacht Club: https://www.elyc.org.uk/resources/Documents/Results/2025%20Results/Open%20Events/Regatta%202025/Regatta%20Skiffs.htm
Media Galleries by Steve Fraser
ELYC Regatta 2025 Drone Footage (Credit: © Steve Fraser): https://www.flickr.com/photos/caledonian-schlepper/albums/72177720326708506/
ELYC Regatta 2025 Day 1 Photo Gallery (Credit: © Steve Fraser): https://www.flickr.com/photos/caledonian-schlepper/albums/72177720326685015/
ELYC Regatta 2025 Day 2 Photo Gallery (Credit: © Steve Fraser): https://www.flickr.com/photos/caledonian-schlepper/albums/72177720326726994/
Feature Image: ELYC Regatta 2025 © Steve Fraser
