Hello from the Race Week promotion team
There just under four weeks to go to the first starting gun, and the three series race officers, their teams and everyone else involved in organising Race Week 2016 are gearing up to welcome competitors and provide the best possible racing for all fleets.
The ROs’ qualifications are impressive – between them, they have run many major dinghy events ranging from the Feva Worlds to Prince of Wales Week, from the 505 Nationals to the UK Youth qualifiers. But more than that, they are harbour-based, have sailed on its waters for decades (often in what was then called Fed Week, winning in various classes) and understand its unique challenges.
As Greg Wells, RO for Series A since 2001, says: “Being a race officer for Race Week is like nothing else. It is actually quite tricky but extremely
rewarding. What makes is so tricky is, firstly, setting good courses with good beats which maximise the limits of the harbour but at the same time prevent too many crossovers or areas of congestion for the several hundred boats competing. Secondly, monitoring all those boats on the course is quite a challenge and teamwork is essential.”
The week is unique and special for those who race in it, too, Greg adds, because of Chichester Harbour itself. “Not only is it such a beautiful place, but it also throws up many wind and tidal challenges for the competitors. When we set the Series A course for 2016 we will aim to ensure we use the harbour limits to challenge the sailors with not just wind shifts and bends but also the many tidal gates which exist.”
Series B’s Mark Darling, a National Race Officer, emphasises how the event has coped with
change over its 50-plus years of existence. “Race Week is special because it has a unique heritage that is evolving to ensure the racing includes both modern and traditional classes, whilst embracing the latest technology to ensure accurate racing." He enthuses, too, over the continuing "‘beach party regatta feel”.
Ian Grant, in charge of Series C, also celebrates the tradition which continues in the present week. “Our ethos will be to run good races for all ages of competitors. My primary aim is respect for the sailors with the aspiration to be part of a unique regatta, following a tradition that perhaps their parents and grand-parents have been part of!”
On-line entry continues until midnight on Saturday August 13, and any class which does not yet have an individual start can apply for one if it has at least ten full-week entries by
July 31. Already 100 boats are signed up, with interest in all fleets and particular enthusiasm so far from Finns, Fireballs and fast and medium handicap contenders.
The entry list is on the website, as is a full day-by-day calendar (remember there's a bigger, better social programme including the Rio-themed beach party and the ‘how to win Race Week’ workshop). As well, there are details of the Hayling Island SC venue and what to do on the island and around the harbour, the inter-club team trophies for adults and juniors, sprint racing in RS Ventures, plus a link to organiser Chichester Harbour Federation, and lots more information.
Watch out for the August e-newsletter, just before the week starts, which will provide last-minute updates.
Before we close this newsletter here’s an introductory
message from the main sponsor of Race Week 2016, Bentley Walker, provider of high-speed satellite internet services: “We deliver fast, reliable internet access to difficult-to-connect spots around the world. Our services are delivered via two-way satellites meaning no phone line is required.”
