THE first Benson and Hedges Fair Isle International Yacht Race in aid of the R.N.L.I, started at 11.00 hours on 2nd September, six cables north of the entrance to Granton harbour on the Firth of Forth. The race was the first international yacht race in Scottish waters organised by a Scottish yacht club. The committee vessel was H.M.S. Wasperton and the northern end of the line was marked by the M.F.V. attached to the Forth Division of the R.N.R.

The Forth Corinthian Yacht Club commodore, Mr. W. H. Russell, was assisted at the start by Sir Alec Rose, who was honorary race • Boats marking either end of the starting line were flying large R.N.L.I.flags. Dr. W. J.

Guild used the IRB from Kinghorn for his filming of the start at Granton. In Kirkwall, the crew of the reserve life-boat Hilton Briggs were on exercise as the yachts were entering Shapinsay Sound, and with her flags flying she made an impressive sight when she towed two of the yachts through the String, a narrow channel with a fierce current, into Kirkwall Harbour.

The sponsors arranged a window display in Binns, Princes Street, Edinburgh.

commodore, and Mr. Harris of the Royal Naval Sailing Association, H.M.S. Lochinvar.

Also on board was the Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland, Rear-Admiral D.

Dunbar-Nasmith, Sir James Mackay of the Highlands and Islands Development Board, Sir James Miller, A. M. Dunnett, Editor of The Scotsman, Mr. Guy Corrie of Benson and Hedges, Mr. Chay Blyth and Major C. A.

Wickes, vice-president and past commodore cf the Forth Corinthian Yacht Club.

Eight yachts crossed the starting line, although 12 yachts had entered the race. The entire entry money of £ 10 per yach t was donated by the F.C.Y.C. to the R.N.L.I., the cheque for the first race being for £120.

The weather was ideal for a race of this sort and most of the yachts kept spinnakers flying until they reached the Fair Isle where the wind increased to force 7 gusting at times to force 9.

The schooner Robert Gordon was forced to retire in this region having had four sails blown out.

The smallest yacht in the race Gadie (a class VI yacht of only 19 feet on the waterline) had the misfortune to break her rudder when only 15 miles south of the Fair Isle and was also forcedto retire. Her skipper, Angus Mclntosh, was unable to make Kirkwall but made a successful landfall at Fraserburgh. The other six yachts successfully completed the course and subsequently made Kirkwall Harbour, although through engine trouble and the very strong current in the String, two of the yachts required a tow. All concerned were wildly enthusiastic about the race and intimated their intention to enter again.

During the race the Coastguard Service kept a watchful eye on the yachts and their progress was passed from station to station. This service was greatly appreciated by the race committee, especially that of the volunteer look-outs on the bad weather stations at Deerness, Broughness, North Ronaldsay and Sanday.

Also present at Kirkwall was the motor yacht Kytra, owned by the Hon. James Bruce, which had acted as safety boat during the race.

She was skippered by Hamish Flett whose knowledge of the waters round Orkney banished many worries.

On the social side the yachtsmen and their friends were exceedingly well catered for. All the visiting yachtsmen were made temporary members of the F.C.Y.C. during their stay in Granton and seemed to make excellent use of the facilities laid on for the race.

Before the start of the race the City of Edinburgh gave a civic reception for the competitors, friends and race officials on the Tuesday evening. At the conclusion of the race in Orkney the sponsors gave a reception in the Kirkwall Hotel, Kirkwall, on the Saturday evening. On the Sunday evening a civic reception was given by the local authorities of Orkney, again at the Kirkwall Hotel.

With all this year's competitors wishing to race again next year, and Chay Blyth's announcement at the civic reception in Kirkwall that he intended to enter British Steel, a large entry next year is expected..