IRC Southern Area Championships being held at Poole Regatta 2018

IRC course on day 2 of the International Paint Poole Regatta © Mark Jardine

On the 26th of May the starting gun will sound across Poole Bay and Poole Regatta 2018 will begin. Originally conceived in 1849, the current version of Poole Regatta has been run since 2000 when it was organised as a celebration of the Millennium. Having run biannually since then, it has grown into one of the most popular regattas in the UK with great on the water racing, alongside memorable evening social events.

In 2018 sixteen yacht classes will be competing across five race courses, with the IRC Southern Area Championships being a focal point. IRC classes will have their own course out in Poole Bay, with the famous Sandbanks beach and Old Harry's Rocks providing the backdrop. The waters of Poole Bay have long been regarded as ideal for racing, with little tidal influence and with flat water when the wind is in the West to North East sector.

With no IRC National Championship in 2018 and the European Championship being held in Cowes limited to boats rating over 0.995, the IRC Southern Area Championship takes on a far greater significance this year. With at least three IRC classes planned, crews are expected to use the event either as their premier championship in 2018 or as a warm-up for the Europeans taking place in June.

In additional to the IRC Southern Area Championships, the Fast 40+ and the HP 30 fleets will also be compete under IRC during the regatta, in their own classes. The Fast 40+ class will use the regatta as part of its event series, while the HP 30s will be competing for their National Championship.

Poole Regatta is supported by a number of high profile brands, either as sponsors or race partners. With the regatta being run by the combined yacht clubs of Poole on a not-for-profit basis, the support of these companies is focused solely on making the regatta as enjoyable as possible for competitors. The supporting companies are:

• Gold Sponsors: International Paint
• Silver Sponsors: MS Amlin Insurance and Poole Harbour Commissioners
• Bronze sponsors: Coleman Insurance, Moore Blatch Solicitors and Savills
• Clothing Partner: Helly Hansen
• Marketing Partner: The knot Agency

The prize pot at Poole Regatta is always a highlight of the event with sponsors giving generously. However the overall regatta winner will be awarded the Canford Cup. Presented at the first ever Poole Regatta in 1849, it predates the America's Cup "Auld Mug" by 2 years, so could be the oldest yachting trophy in existence. On display in Poole Museum throughout the year, it will leave the cabinet to be presented on 28th May.

Organised by the combined yacht clubs of Poole the regatta runs from 26th to 28th May. The Regatta Committee look forward to seeing you on the start line. Enter online at pooleregatta.co.uk/entry.