Blaze East Coast Championships 2019 - Preview

Blaze East Coast Championships dates for 2019 © Ben Harden

Returning for the 2019 season will be the second series of the Blaze East Coast Championships. The traveller series is to be held at four of the best clubs the east coast has to offer: Burnham Sailing Club, Wilsonian Sailing Club, Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and Stone Sailing Club.

A total of 15 Blaze's attended the first series throughout the 2018 season and with such great feedback from the sailors it has been decided to continue the series for the second year with the hope of attracting Blaze sailors from further afield.

All four events for 2019 will be run alongside other class open meetings to ensure a great social and racing experience is delivered. Three of the four events will count towards the overall scores with the overall winner claiming the East Coast Title. Any one interested in the Blaze fleet is highly encouraged to come along to check out the racing and see what the Blaze is all about.

Dates for the diary:

Wilsonian Sailing Club Blaze & Musto Skiff Open - May 4th & 5th

Wilsonian is located on the north shore of the River Medway close to the village of Hoo, near Rochester in Kent. It prides itself on being a very friendly club that welcomes visitors and new members. It is probably the largest club solely for dinghy sailors in the north of Kent.

The club is located in woodland on a south facing hillside next to a shingle beach from which you can launch and recover dinghies at any stage of the tide.

Saturday 4th - 4 races, 35 - 40 mins each. First start will be around 1300hrs.
Sunday 5th - 2-hour long distance race. The start will be around 1100hrs.
Entry £25
Bar, kitchen, camping/motorhomes welcome, etc.
NOR, SI's and entry's available nearer the time.

Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Blaze & RS200 Open June 2nd

The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham-On-Crouch, will be hosting committee boat starting races on the River Crouch. The event will be combined with an RS200 open meeting to ensure race courses are to a great standard. Taking place, the weekend before the Nationals it will give all sailors a chance to tighten up on all areas of racing before the main event.

There will be club racing on Saturday 5th. Any sailors wishing to take part will be more than welcome. (not included in east coast series)

Launching is from a pontoon but don't worry there will be heaps of people to assist with launching and recovery.

The sailing area is the same that is used in the Endeavour Trophy... this will give any of the top Blaze sailors a chance to experience the waters should they then go on to win the Nationals and get a spot at the Endeavour.

NOR, SIs and entry details available nearer the time.

Burnham Sailing Club Blaze & Asymmetric Open July 6th & 7th

Two days of racing on the River Crouch. The event will be run alongside the Burnham Sailing Club Asymmetric Open.

Saturday 6th will be committee boat starts, three or four races. Sunday 7th will be racing held from the club line

Entry fee just £15.
Free camping at the club.
NOR, SIs and entry available nearer the time.

Stone Sailing Club Blaze & 2000 Open September 7th & 8th

Situated on the south bank of the River Blackwater where the river is some 2km wide at high tide and the open sea is only a few miles away to the east, Stone Sailing Club provides great sailing at any state of the tide! Not only is the racing water great but the Dengie (the area around Stone) has its own weather sub-system - resulting in more good weather (with prevailing winds from the south-west), than most other areas in the country.

Maximum of three races each day, held from a committee boat.
NOR, SIs and entry available nearer the time.

For more information about the East Coast Championships get in touch with Ben Harden:

All sailors interested in the Blaze fleet are highly welcome and encouraged to join the Blaze Sailing Facebook page - www.facebook.com/groups/486204804768809