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Words of greeting from Cathy Sedgeworth (RFYC)

21st Helgoland to Edinburgh Yacht Race 1968 - 2009

This year is a very special year for this event as we will welcome yachts from countries other than Germany taking part in the 21st Helgoland to Edinburgh Yacht Race.

Why does this race happen?

In 1966 the yacht ‘Gaby', SVC, (7 m), crew Erich Böhm, SVC, and Dr. Meinhard Kohfahl, SVC were on a cruise to Scotland and Norway. When they visited Granton, the RFYC were celebrating the Firth-of- Forth week and ‘Gaby' was invited to participate in this race. Because they had no local knowledge and were short of crew, Pearl Walker, RFYC, wife of Leslie Walker, RFYC joined the crew. During the party after the race with the Hon .Sec Kenneth Gumley the idea came up about a race from Germany to Granton in 1968, when the RFYC would celebrate its centenary anniversary. This was the beginning of the contact between the RFYC and the Segler-Vereinigung Cuxhaven (SVC).

Yachts raced in 1968 from Helgoland to Granton. They were Samum, Tramp, Fünfstern, My Lady , Helios and Hering owned by Meinhard Kohfahl.

According to Meinhard the boat which has sailed the race most is "Jan van Gent" (11 times). Meinhard Kohfahl has raced 13 times and his son, Jens, who is organising the event this year again has sailed it 15 times so they hold a special record too.

How does the Royal Forth Yacht Club help?

We organise a finish line for this event which is laid just north of the harbour entrance and we run a radio safety watch and log and provide finish times for competitors. This runs for around 48 hours from Thursday morning.

There is a very social element to the stay in Granton. The RFYC members offer help to the crews so that they get the most out of their visit. The clubhouse will be offering breakfasts, lunches and suppers for tired hungry crews. The showers will be working overtime and as they all arrive the regatta office swings into gear for 4 days of busy action. We organise euro exchange for beer money, sail and other repairs, diesel, act as a tourist office, book car hire, bed and breakfasts, organise flights home and offer club goods and special commemorative clothing for sale.

For entertainment we usually organise a highland bus tour for Saturday followed by a Scottish evening of food and entertainment. If there are any musicians out there we would welcome you to bring your paper and comb with you!