Hello from the Race Week promotion team

The countdown is running... the first starts in Race Week 2016 should be under way in just seven days' time. The big draw is the prospect of five days of great competitive racing, challenging but not intimidating, on the open yet sheltered water just inside the mouth of Chichester Harbour. But this year there are extra temptations.

Besides the generous backing from principal sponsor Bentley Walker (provider of high-speed satellite internet services), and daily spot prizes from Bainbridge Marine and ABC Marine & Leisure, extra prizes for leading sailors are being offered by Gill Marine, Lennon Racewear and Optimum Time. Raymarine and Dream or Two Sailing are supporting the Venture Sprint Challenge. There will be a goody bag for each boat entered in the regatta.

Also, the racing will videoed by VRsport.tv and highlights screened in the clubhouse.

Extra activity on the water will see classic and modern keelboats - XODs,
Swallows and RS Elites - racing in the afternoons, after the dinghies are back ashore. The Elites are keen to welcome additional crews who would like the bigger-boat experience.

The dinghy start list has expanded to include a Fireball class, where enthusiasm has brought enough entries to justify a separate event. The introduction of a start for Scows is also proving popular, so the spread of dinghy designs over the three series will be even more impressive than before.

All this, alongside the bigger, better social programme, make Race Week THE REGATTA to attend this summer.

Useful reminders: 
* On-line entry continues until midnight on Saturday, followed by entry in person at Hayling Island SC on Sunday afternoon and throughout the week. (The current entry list is on the website, so you can see who you'll be racing against)

* On-line entrants need to collect their regatta information packs at the club, and under-18s (crews as well as helms) must make sure parents or guardians are with them to sign their entry forms.

* With the starting sequences beginning at 10am on the first two days, there's going to be a rush on Monday morning particularly. So if possible bring boats and enter/register on Sunday (1300 - 1800) to avoid the queues.

* The Venture Sprint Challenge is open to all (age 16 and over), not just those competing in Race Week. Family, friends and support people can join in - make sure you sign up quickly. And the race office needs to know the nominated competitors for the Interclub and/or Junior Interclub teams before racing starts on the Tuesday.