22-25 July 2008
A Combined Regatta at Cowes, England
Next year, a new combined International Regatta is to be held in Cowes for
Metre boats and classic racing keelboats from 22 25 July 2008 to be run by
the Royal London Yacht Club - the same week as the British Classic Yacht
Club Regatta which is being run in association with the Royal Corinthian
Yacht Club.
The event will be run annually and such an occasion will establish Cowes as
the centre for classic racing in Northern Europe consistent with its
heritage. The event will be immediately followed by the Household Division
Regatta and the Royal Yacht Squadron Regatta – two one-day regattas for
invited racing classes. These events will bring to Cowes the largest fleet
of classic b ats ever assembled in the UK.
There is substantial support for continuing a Metre Regatta following the
success of the Centenary Regatta for the International Rule held in Cowes
during July this year at which 80 Metre boats attended. Fleet racing will
be organised for 6mR, 8mR and 2mR boats.
Other classes may sail in the mixed fleet or, if sufficient boats attend
separate starts will be provided. This provides these boats with a real
opportunity to sail together and the event is timed to follow their
respective European and World Championships.
There is additional demand from classic keel racing boats for an event that
brings these classic boats together - boats such as 5.5mR, Darings, Classic
Dragons, IOD, Requin, Swallows, the Square Metre classes, Sunbeams, etc.
and the many classic one-design classes. In the past almost every major
yacht club has commissioned their own one- design. Many of these normally
only have the opportunity to sail in small local fleets based around the
few remaining boats and enthusiastic owners.
Some fleets are so fragmented that they have little opportunity to sail
together; this event will provide an opportunity to sail in l rger fleets
of similar boats. A rating system will be used for mixed fleet(s) and a
separate start or fleet result will be provided if sufficient numbers
attend. It is hoped that fleets may adopt the event as a regular or
occasional slot in their calendar although the format is designed to enable
all-comers.
We are fortunate that Bob Milner will act as Chief Race Officer – on his
recent return from assisting with the Superyacht Regatta in Palma Majorca,
Bob said "It will be wonderful that Cowes can attract such a superb
fleet of these wonderful classes which have had such a significant impact
on racing over the last century." To monitor news and event details go
to www.classickeelboats.org or contact; Rees Martin (Secretary GBR 6mR)
rees@6mr.org.uk or David Elliott (Secretary for Racing Classes, BCYC)
david.elliott@classickeelboats.org
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