Please select your home edition
Edition
495 McKinley Drive Lboard Dec 2024

Southport's Iconic WLYC 24 Hour Race returns this weekend

by Richard Westlake 17 Sep 02:12 PDT 21-22 September 2024
53rd West Lancashire Yacht Club 24 Hour Race © Roy Kissick

The WLYC 24 Hour Race - dinghy sailing's premier endurance race - is back! Under the burgee of West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC), this much-loved event will be returning this weekend, marking the 53rd edition of the race on the picturesque Marine Lake in Southport.

The race will start at 12 noon on Saturday, September 21st, and finish at 12 noon on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, with a colourful 24 hours of non-stop sailing excitement on display.

With the pandemic now behind us, we're thrilled to bring back the WLYC 24 Hour Race. This event has always been a major highlight in the UK's dinghy sailing calendar, not just for the sailors, but for our local community as well. Sailing is a fantastic sport that offers physical, mental, and social wellbeing benefits, and this race demonstrates the spirit of teamwork and resilience that we all depend on in sport and in life...

...because the essence of the WLYC 24 Hour Race is not only challenge and endurance, but also the teamwork, on and off the water. The return of this iconic race has evolved into a wide-ranging collaboration between the participating clubs, the GP14 and Enterprise associations, the Royal Yachting Association (RYA), and Marine Supplies Direct, who are sponsoring the event. WLYC has updated some aspects of the event, with entry, registration, volunteering and parking reservations now handled online. The party on Friday night featuring the HOBOT rock band and DJ Enterprise will add to the excitement that the visiting clubs have come to love.

Originally launched in 1967, the WLYC 24 Hour Race has been a key fixture in the UK dinghy sailing calendar ever since. After a five year break, the club is excited to bring the race back, maintaining the spirit and tradition that has long made it one of the most cherished events in the sailing year. The format remains a 24-hour, non-stop team race, testing skill, strategy, and endurance, while offering spectators the chance to witness a unique and thrilling challenge unfold. The multiple 'races within the race' sustain the excitement throughout. We're looking forward to welcoming the competing teams back to Southport.

Find out more at wlyc.org.uk/wlyc-24-hour-race

* Editor's note: It was thought the 2019 race was the 53rd edition, but it was in fact the 52nd, as the race was cancelled for a year during the fuel protests in 2000.

Related Articles

Full story of the West Lancs 24-Hour Dinghy Race
A remarkable contest / the races within the race The WLYC 24 Hour Race made its return to the yachting calendar with a bang after an over-long break. The healthy entry of 51 clubs sailing Enterprises and GP14s had more than a smattering of star sailors vying for the prizes. Posted on 26 Sep
West Lancs 24-Hour Dinghy Race
Southport's iconic event concludes with thrilling finish The 53rd West Lancashire Yacht Club (WLYC) 24-Hour Dinghy Race came to a spectacular close on Sunday, with Budworth Sailing Club (SC) claiming victory after 24 hours of sailing non-stop on the Marine Lake in Southport. Posted on 23 Sep
Sunsail announces Funding the Future winners
At the Southampton International Boat Show Sunsail unveils the winners of its highly acclaimed Funding the Future initiative, announced at the Southampton International Boat Show 2024. Posted on 14 Sep
Leigh & Lowton S2S Race
Toddbrook/Combs win at the third attempt! They did it! After coming a close second to Leigh & Lowton in the last 2 events, Toddbrook/Combs claimed overall victory in the 2024 S2S event. Posted on 19 Jun
GP14 and Streaker open at West Lancs
Light winds supplanted by sea breeze The wind forecast wasn't looking promising for the GP14 and Streaker Open held on the 5th May at West Lancashire Yacht Club. However, the light breeze was sufficient for the Race Officers to send the two fleets out as planned. Posted on 9 May
West Lancashire Yacht Club 24 Hour Race Confirmed!
Set to take place on 21st & 22nd September 2024 at the Marine Lake, Southport Yes! We announced at the RYA Dinghy Show that we're reviving the 24 Hour Race in 2024... and we need you to be with us in Southport on 21st and 22nd September 2024. Posted on 29 Feb
West Lancs YC hoping to revive the 24 Hour Race
Is your club is interested in competing, this September? We are hoping to revive the WLYC 24 Hour Race and want to know if your club is interested in competing. After all, who wouldn't want to be part of the UK's premier dinghy sailing endurance event? Posted on 14 Feb
GP14 National Youth Championship
21 youth sailors and one adult crew took to the water at West Lancs Eleven boats, 21 youth sailors and one adult crew took to the water! We started the day with a light breeze and a goody bag to keep us going. Posted on 4 Oct 2022
South African sailors break 24-year-old record
Sailing 255.3km at the Mac 24 Hour Challenge South African dinghy sailors have broken a long-standing endurance sailing record, completing the longest distance sailing in 24 hours in a two-man sailing dinghy. Posted on 18 Apr 2022
RC Laser open event at West Lancs
Ten races at Southport You could be excused for wearing sun cream at West Lancs and it was well advisable for a gorgeous day outing with the Lasers. The chance of there being more than a handful of skippers was looking less likely. Posted on 15 Mar 2022
Trinidad and Tobago - Sail Service StayMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER