Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Great support for Chichester Harbour Race Week

by Liz Sagues 14 Jul 2016 14:43 PDT 15-19 August 2016
A grandstand view of the racing for holiday makers on West Wittering beach © Liz Saques

With a month to go to the first starting gun, on-line entries for Chichester Harbour Race Week 2016 (August 15-19) are just three boats short of hitting the three-figure mark. There are strong fleets building in many of the popular one-design classes, particularly Finns, and there are already 17 competitors in the medium handicap event and 13 in the fast handicap.

Enthusiastic support has come from dinghy sailors spread as far as Cornwall and Yorkshire, as well as from clubs nearer the Harbour and within it.

As ever, the event will showcase all the best of dinghy design, including newcomers. This year there will be a start for Devoti Zeros/RS Aero 9s, and another for Scows, Tideways and small classics, while at least four Hadron H2 single-handers – including one sailed by designer Keith Callaghan – will be competing in the medium handicap.

In all 17 separate starts are planned, and additional classes with at least ten full-week entries by July 31 can apply for their own start.

Entry is possible for single days or the full five-day event. There's always a rush of would-be entrants signing up at host venue Hayling Island SC, and organiser Chichester Harbour Federation is ready to welcome 350 boats or more to the race courses.

With tide times meaning morning starts this year, competitors would be well advised to arrive on the afternoon of Sunday August 14, enter then (or earlier, on line until midnight on the Saturday evening), set up their boats and avoid the Monday morning queue.

The race officers for the three separate race areas are anticipating that 2016 could prove a vintage Race Week. Here's how they sum up the event: "The ethos of our racing will be to run good races for all ages of competitors," promises Ian Grant, in charge of the juniors and slower boats in Series C.

"What makes racing in Race Week unique and special is the beautiful Chichester Harbour itself," says Greg Wells, RO for the fastest dinghies in Series A. "Not only is it such a beautiful place but it also throws up many wind and tidal challenges for the competitors."

Mark Darling, who heads the committee boat team for medium-speed Series B, believes the week is special because of its long heritage which has evolved to include both modern and traditional classes and to embrace the latest race organisation technology. He enthuses, too, over the "beach party regatta feel".

And the final word goes to PRO Robert Macdonald, who notes that despite how much the event – previously known as Fed Week – has developed over more than 50 years, "what hasn't changed is the camaraderie of competitors and race team alike both on and off the water, enjoying the challenges of harbour racing and afterwards catching up in the bar with friends".

Read all about the event at chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net

Related Articles

Silent Yachts launch solar-electric SY80 catamaran
Ready for its world debut at the Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 Silent Yachts has completed its most complex project to date. The Italian builder's first SY80 solar-electric catamaran has been launched and is preparing for its world debut at the upcoming Cannes Yachting Festival 2025 (9-14 September). Posted today at 7:56 am
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
VISIONF Yachts unveils Superfast 46
A new speedboat with 80 knots max speed VISIONF Yachts, renowned for its cutting-edge luxury power catamarans, has revealed the latest jewel in its performance portfolio — the VISIONF Superfast 46, a 14-meter, high-speed masterpiece capable of reaching a staggering 80 knots. Posted on 7 Jul
Inside Maritimo Newsletter - Take a Virtual Tour
Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo Take a moment to indulge in our immersive virtual tours, available through the form link below. Experience the unparalleled craftsmanship and innovative design that define Maritimo, all from the comfort of your own home. Posted on 4 Jul
Baglietto launch first DOM115 Superyacht
A 35-meter masterpiece by Stefano Vafiadis with interiors by Baglietto design team The first unit of the DOM115, the entry-level model of the line designed by Stefano Vafiadis, was officially launched in recent days. Posted on 3 Jul
Grand Trawler 63
A new benchmark in elegant voyaging With the launch of the Grand Trawler 63, BENETEAU sets a new benchmark in long-distance luxury cruising. Posted on 3 Jul
Palm Beach GT60 Jet Drive
A head-turning vision that sets a new standard in customization It's a question often asked by outsiders looking at Palm Beach Motor Yacht's vibrant new product introductions and development pipeline: What was the genesis for this particular design? Posted on 2 Jul
The new Beneteau Swift Trawler 37
The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand The eye-catching new arrival in the fleet of BENETEAU's modern passagemakers is the Swift Trawler 37. The latest family cruiser from the world's leading marine brand replaces the Swift Trawler 35, balancing enhanced design and comfort on board. Posted on 2 Jul
Marine Auctions: Special July Online Auction
The bidding will end on Tuesday 22 July at 2pm AEST The alternative way of selling any type of vessel or marine asset with proven and successful results. Posted on 2 Jul
One thing. One big, very fast boat
One thing that opened the door, another made us enquire some more - 50 knots! Yes. It was one thing that opened the door, as it were. One thing that piqued the curiosity enough to go, ‘I'll take a look at that!' One thing that when you're trying to crack in excess of 50 knots... Posted on 30 Jun
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo M50