Royal Southern Yacht Club 2019 Season Preview
by Louay Habib 3 Apr 2019 14:30 BST
Royal Southern Yacht Club Regatta 2018 © Paul Wyeth
The 2019 racing season at the Royal Southern Yacht Club has an extensive race programme, which started with the Frostbite series for sport boats followed by the popular Summer Series, the British Keelboat League Youth Qualifier, the Landsail Tyres J-Cup and Round 6 of the Fast 40+ Circuit in October.
World class professional sailors and passionate Corinthians will be taking part in an extensive regatta programme, enjoying the first-class facilities at the Royal Southern Yacht Club's Yacht Haven and clubhouse, located on the banks of the River Hamble.
"Our season started in January with the Academy Frostbite series, which took place over 3 weekends with short style races." commented Commodore Graham Nixon. "In 2019 the club will offer another packed season and we are thrilled to welcome the J-Cup to the club this year. Our Summer Series kicks off with the May regatta, once again being sponsored by North Sails, and we are delighted to again welcome Charles Heidsieck for the 'Champagne Charlie' June regatta. For the first time we will be welcoming double handers to participate in the Summer series with their own start. On behalf of the club may I thank all those sailors who participated last year and extend a very warm welcome to you all this season."
The Start of Season is marked by the Open Day on Saturday 6th April. Flag Officers, staff and members will host a full programme of activities including test sails in J/70 and Optimists as well as the new RS21. There will also be live music and a BBQ!
From 18th-19th May, the Antigua Sailing Week May Regatta, sponsored by Antigua Sailing Week and North Sails, will mark the first of the Royal Southern's four annual summer regattas, which this year will feature starts for Double Handed crews. The May Regatta offers high quality, competitive racing for multiple classes including the new Performance 40 Class, the HP30 class and Sunday J/88 racing to name a few. There will also be racing for IRC Classes, Club Class and the Double Handed Class which is new for 2019. Approximately 70 sportsboats and keel boats are expected to race. All are welcome, competitors, family and supporters alike.
The second event of the Summer Series is the Rathbones June regatta, 15th 16th June, sponsored by Rathbones Investment Management. A high turn-out is expected, including performance keelboats racing under IRC, and a variety of sport boats. The Champagne Charlie July Regatta, sponsored by Charles Heidsieck and Harken, on the 13th 14th will be the third regatta in the summer series. This is immediately followed by the Landsail Tyres J-Cup in association with Key Yachting from 17th to 20th July with the prize giving and Gala dinner on Saturday 20th July.
The Land Union September Regatta, sponsored by Land Union International Real Estate and Doyle Sails, is 14th -15th September and is the fourth and final event of the Royal Southern summer series, with winners decided for the season. Big thanks to our friends at Antigua Sailing Week and the Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority, who are working hard to make sure that the 2019 Summer Series is the best one yet, with a brilliant prize in store and some treats along the way.
In amongst our main Summer Series events is an array of other styles of racing, including three Passage Series events and two Cruiser Races. This year the Royal Southern will also host the Youth Qualifier of the British Keelboat League on 22nd/23rd June, a 2K team racing event which will double as Round 2 of the British Isles Keelboat Team Racing League on the 6th/7th July and the last of the Fast 40+ class series at the Royal Southern from 11th 13th October.
The 57th Deauvillle Race starting on Friday 24 May and is organised jointly by the Royal Southern, Royal London, the Deauville Yacht Club and the Yacht Club de France. This year it is the Royal London Yacht Club's turn to organise this end of the race but there will be a majority of Royal Southern members competing for the silver ware. As well as the IRC classes and HN Osiris Class (for the French boats) there will be a Cruiser Race Class for those wanting to definitely get their French dinner before the lock closes! The prize giving is held at the Deauville Yacht Club on Sunday morning.
Entry is now open for all our regattas and owners are encouraged to enter early to reserve social tickets and encourage bigger classes. Classes with many early entries are more likely to be given their own starts and class results!
Please see royal-southern.co.uk/racing for further details and all event dates.