A GIRL from Largs has become one of the youngest people ever to take part in a challenging 695-mile yacht race - battling treacherous weather and waves throughout.
Orla Fergusson, of Eastern Avenue, joined her father Angus and other crew members on board the 1969-built Swan 43 yacht, which started its adventure in Cowes on the Isle of Wight.
The course takes racers to Fastnet Rock, off the south coast of Ireland, and finishes at Cherbourg in France, with those taking part facing testing and often extreme conditions.
Orla, who left Largs Primary in June and will start in S1 at Largs Academy later this month, had a big part to play as a member of the seven-strong crew during the six-day event.
But it was far from a new experience for Orla - who has previously taken part in a yacht race from Bergen to Lerwick and, a little closer to home, was recently part of the crew on the winning yacht in the Round Bute race.
Proud dad Angus said: "Orla did very well - as it was a very challenging race, as we encountered gale force 8 winds with rough seas for the first 24 hours.
"It was one of the worst ever starts to the race weather wise, one boat sank, and another lost its mast.
"A total of 495 yachts took part, and there were around 80 retirals specifically because of the weather.
"The crew looked after each other successfully round the rock and back but there were a number of boats which didn't make it because of damage to the boat or crew injury.
"It is certainly not a race for the faint hearted!"
Orla had gone through all her safety qualifications and did her sea survival training at Largs Swimming Pool, and was fully prepared in the event of a person overboard or damage to the sail.
Mum Gillian was at home keeping track online of the race.
Angus said: "Orla really took it all in her stride and did marvellously well.
"She was very motivated by one of the boats competing which had an all women crew, and also built up a strong relationship with other female crew onboard.
"Future options include taking part in the Round Ireland race.
"She loves all the teamwork and camaraderie that is involved in offshore racing, and listening to everyone's stories."
And she has a professional trainer too in her father Angus, who is a former sailing instructor at Cumbrae Watersports Centre, specialising in offshore sailing, and now works at Inverclyde National Sports Centre, teaching outdoor activities.
The yacht was overall 38th in IRC class 3 and 151st in IRC overall.
The yacht departed on July 22, and finished on July 28, in a time of five days, 15 hours, 51 minutes and 28 seconds.
The Reindeer Swan 43 is owned by Jack Meredith, who was also on the crew.
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