Great Forecast for the GBSC Grand Final

by Andy Rice 26 Sep 2019 07:15 BST 28-29 September 2019

2019 Bala Long Distance Race © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

This weekend's Grand Final of the Great British Sailing Challenge will see an entry of more than 60 top-flight boats from more than 40 different classes competing at this brand new event which takes place at Rutland Sailing Club on 28 & 29 September.

The forecast looks great, with moderate breezes for both days, and there's a small window left open to enter the event. Even if you're not competing, you might want to come along to Rutland Sailing Club on Saturday evening to join in on the discussion about the Future of Dinghy Racing in the UK....

It's going to be tough to win the first ever Grand Final of the Great British Sailing Challenge, taking place this weekend on Rutland Water on 28 & 29 September. A forecast of warm, moderate westerly breeze will not only make for some cracking racing, but with the Great Lakes handicap numbers well proven in medium airs, predicting a winner from such a hot entry is going to be really difficult.

There's still time to enter if you match the criteria, so if your class is under-represented on the current entry list then contact Simon Lovesey to see if you qualify, email

2019 King George Gallop - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Aside from the four back-to-back races scheduled for the Saturday, and the 150-minute Pursuit Race on Sunday, there are some fun activities on the Saturday evening.

Soon after racing and getting ashore, competitors will be invited to make an 'Elevator Pitch' for their class, a 20-second sell to convince others "why you should join my fleet". There will be a prize for the Elevator Pitch that is the most convincing, with voting on social media. Then there's an early evening meal and a discussion around "The future of dinghy racing in the UK", where GBSC organisers Andy Rice and Simon Lovesey will host a Q&A and invite competitors to throw in their ideas and examples of best practice that they've witnessed over recent seasons. Everything about the GBSC is aimed at making Great Britain's already strong racing scene even better and stronger for the coming years.

A tenner for roast chicken and sticky toffee!

Even if you're not competing, but fancy coming along for the evening's gathering, please come along to Rutland Sailing Club and join in. Whether or not you're racing, you can also sign up for the two-course meal (roast chicken or vegetarian, followed by apple pie or sticky toffee pud) for £10 in advance (or £12 on the day) by booking here.

2019 Wilsonian River Challenge - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The event also serves as the Y&Y Battle of the Classes which previously took place during the Southampton Boat Show.

If you want to make your case for inclusion in the Final, then please contact Simon Lovesey with a brief CV of your achievements in your chosen class. For example, a top 10 finish at a recent national, European or World Championship, would be good, but if you feel you've got a strong case on other grounds or achievements, then let Simon know by emailing him at:

Here's a list of some of the bigger classes that have yet to be represented, but you're welcome to apply even if you class isn't on here. Check the list of current entries here.

Results will be scored using the Great Lakes version of the PY handicap numbers, and other prizes will be awarded based on performance measured by the SailRacer trackers.

Great Britain's most prolific dinghy photographer Tim Olin will be there to capture all the action, and there will be live updates of the racing during the weekend.

More than 750 sailors have competed in the qualifying events during the season, and now it all comes down to the Final at Rutland.

Find out more at www.sailingchallenge.org.

GBSC Calendar 2018/19

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club
17 & 18 November 2018

Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
8 & 9 December 2018

Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
27 December 2018

John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
2 & 3 February 2019

Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
16 February 2019

King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
16 & 17 March 2019

Weston Grand Slam
20 & 21 April 2019

Derwent Dambuster, Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club
11 & 12 May 2019

Wilsonian River Challenge, Wilsonian Sailing Club
1 & 2 June 2019