With the class splits now published for the Handicap divisions which will compete later this week at the 2026 Jura Scottish Series, the north of Britain’s premier regatta, teams now have a good idea of the level of competition they will encounter over the four days of racing on Loch Fyne. Many of last year’s class winners are returning to try and defend their titles in the Handicap and the One Design fleets. As detailed previously Brian Hall’s 2025 Scottish Series champions are back to try and win IRC Class 1 again. There will be 13 boats racing in IRC 1 including six J/109s and once again this will be one of the toughest classes to win. Indeed all of last year’s top four J/109s are back ooking to overhaul Something Else this time.

IRC 2 sees the Nathan Batchelor and Adam Ovington’s Half Tonner Head Hunter from the northeast of England dominated their class last year counting four first places and two seconds. Head Hunter is back as is the J/92 Samurai J of Alan Macleod which finished runners up last year. The IRC Coastal fleet features some of the bigger boats which compete on coastal course. Ian and Graham Thomson’s Swan 40 Sloop John T is the lowest rated and finished second last year behind the Irish J/112 ValenTina which has not entered. Also in this fleet are Bruce Douglas Spirit of Jacana the J/133 and Jonathan Anderson’s Xaviera.

One Design keelboat racing looks set to be as close as ever with strength and depth in most classes. So far the Etchells have mustered eight boats. Overall Scottish Series Trophy winners Allan Manuel’s Bounce Back have just confirmed their return to Tarbert to try for a third title in a row. Last year’s runners up,  Peter Judd’s Lock n Load lead efforts to stop the Bounce Back monopoly. The Hunter 707 is the strongest of the OD classes with 11 teams entered so far. The defending champions are  Eddie Batchelor and crew on Tsunami 2 and again all of last year’s top three teams are returning to race on Loch Fyne.