Albacore Internationals return in 2023 sponsored by Noble Marine

Albacore Internationals at Shelburne, Nova Scotia day 5 © Pauline Rook

The Albacore Internationals, back on the water after a 2-year hiatus due to Covid. The 26th iteration of the event is being hosted by South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club in Abersoch, North Wales.

The 14-race event runs from Sunday 30th July through to Friday 4th August 2023 with registration and scrutineering taking place on Saturday 29th July. Races 1-8 held over the first three days will constitute the UK Nationals. Days four and five will see a further 6 races competed to make a total of 14 races for the International series.

This is the second visit to this popular location with the previous event being held in 2013, and is always a popular event for the fleet regularly attracting 50+ boats from England, Scotland, Wales, Shetland, Canada and the United States. Promising to be the best yet, this year's event has a full programme of social occasions off the water to add to the fun on the water. The racing will be as competitive as always with a number of ex and current International and National champions in attendance plus a number of top crews from other classes joining in. There will be plenty of daily tally prizes and further spot prizes awarded for things such as, first to the windward mark or best capsize etc. There are also a growing number of crews seeking boats and the class is asking for any owners looking to sell or charter their boats to get in touch.

The Albacore Internationals were first held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto in 1971 and have been held every 2 years since, alternating between Canada, USA and UK.

The history of the event is full of well-known names, but topping the line honours table are Michael McNamara (UK) and Barney Harris (USA) with 5 wins each.

The NOR and entry forms can be found on the Association website: www.albacore.org.uk or on the dedicated Facebook group 2023 Albacore Internationals. A reduced entry fee applies for completed entries submitted before 31st March.

The Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. It is fast and lively while being relatively easy to learn to sail and race. A fully adjustable rig and adjustable sail controls allow a crew to depower in high winds - enabling both light and heavy crews to race head-to-head. A very versatile boat, it is often sailed by husband and wife and also parent child combinations. Those looking for a simple to learn, yet high performance sailing dinghy can join the ranks of Albacore sailors who come from all walks of life and range in age from teenagers to masters grand masters and grand masters with many years of experience. The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first, and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.

Albacore Internationals roll of honour:

1971 - RCYC, Toronto, Ontario, CAN - Jack Langmaid & Nancy Langmaid (CAN)
1973 - RPCYC, Plymouth, UK - John Herbert & Norman Warrington (UK)
1975 - Henderson Harbor, New York, US - Bill Shore & Bonnie Shore (USA)
1977 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Barry Poyntz & Gary Poyntz (CAN)
1979 - RTYC, Torbay, UK - Mike Holmes & Dennis Froggatt (UK)
1981 - FBYC, Gwynn's Island, Virginia, US - Jon Webb & Peter Aitken (UK)
1983 - RCYC, Toronto, CAN - Barry Poyntz & Gary Poyntz (CAN)
1985 - HBSC, Herne Bay, UK - Graham Child & Nick Harrison (UK)
1987 - IHYC, New Jersey, US - John Clarke & Jaime Day (CAN)
1989 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - John Clarke & Jaime Day (CAN)
1991 - CBC, Cramond, Scotland, UK - Michael McNamara & Paul Hobsen (UK)
1993 - RBSA, Rehoboth, Delaware, US - Michael McNamara & Colin Goodman (UK)
1995 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Michael McNamara & Mike Gifford (UK)
1997 - HISC, Hayling Island, UK - Duncan Glen & Alistair Glen (UK)
1999 - RBSA, Rehoboth, Delaware, US - Michael McNamara & Malav Shroff (UK)
2001 - RTYC, Torquay, UK - Michael McNamara & Robin Barker (UK)
2003 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2005 - LRSC, Lyme Regis, UK - Chris Turner & Simon Maguire (UK)
2007 - WRSC, Galesville, Maryland, US - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2009 - SSI, Largs, Scotland, UK - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2011 - RCYC, Toronto, Ontario, CAN - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2013 - SCYC, Abersoch, Wales, UK - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2015 - SSS, Sarasota, Florida, US - George Carter & Almir Tavares (CAN)
2017 - WPNSA, Weymouth, UK - Tom Lonsdale & Steve Graham (UK)
2019 - SHYC, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, CAN - Neville Herbert & Mark Fowler (UK)