EAORA cancel remainder of 2020 series
by Paul Wood, EAORA Chairman 6 Jul 2020 12:18 BST
EAORA Racing with Social Distancing ©
www.brambles-illustrations.co.uk
The EAORA (East Anglian Offshore Racing Association) Committee has decided to cancel the remaining 2020 series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We have waited as long as possible before this decision to see if realistically a solution could be found to enable us to race in some form for 2020.
Despite the encouraging progress towards the UK's recovery from the virus, the EAORA committee still feels that it would be unsafe to run offshore races due to the number of crew required for most of our boats.
Our committee has looked closely at various options including a mini-series for family and double handers but after distanced discussions, it was felt that the risk was too high and distancing rules could still be easily be broken.
EAORA celebrated 75 years last year - and so far we have stood the test of time. We are confident that 2021 will be a great season for EAORA. We will bounce back stronger with a new race programme including two RORC Fastnet qualifier events. We will be encouraging newcomers and as always, we look for ways to welcome all new competitors into the fold."
EAORA has taken the Covid 19 pandemic very seriously, but for a moment please enjoy some light-hearted humour, illustrated by Laura from www.Brambles-Illustrations.co.uk of how distancing guidelines could be incorporated into our racing... We hope you understand why it would prove difficult for us all being on a boat. EAORA respects why they are in place and why they must remain so for the time being.