The Bartley Beast Preview
by Simon Hardiman 22 Oct 2023 17:58 BST
The Bartley Beast © Debbie Degge
As the winter draws in and the Open meeting circuits move into hibernation it is time to look to the winter series events to ensure good use of expensive drysuits and thermal wear.
With the coasts getting battered by winter storms why not come to the centre of the country for The Bartley Beast just off junction 3 of the M5. Now in its 3rd year, with a winning formula of 2 races for single handers and 2 races for double handers each day, enabling some warm-up and social time between races and separation between the fleets to keep the racing competitive and clean.
The 2022/23 season had over 90 participants with single handers including the usual ILCA, Solo, Supernova, and Phantoms joined by OKs, Finns, Streakers and Lightening 368s to name a few. The double handers had strong fleets of Merlins, Albacores, and RS400s, joined by RS200s, GP14s, and Tasars. The range of abilities from National Champions to club members sailing in their first season really does promote an event for all.
So why not solicit entries from your class or club and make this an 'away day' to join in with other travelers and local sailors alike. The OK and Phantom fleets have been doing this to good effect over the last 2 years with some great class racing mixed in with the overall handicap race.
Tilly's Galley will be open at the club to ensure all are well fed with full cooked breakfasts available and the usual hot lunch options to warm participants from the inside.
Summary of the Series:
- Location: Bartley SC, Genners Lane, Birmingham
- Each event comprises 2 races per day for single handers and 2 races per day for double handers
- The individual events build to a 4 Day series over 4 months with 6 of 8 races to count for the series
- Entry is only £10 for single handers per day and £15 for double handers per day
- Event dates are: 11th Nov 2023, 9th Dec 2023, 13th Jan 2024, 10th Feb 2024
All 4 events of the series are now open for entry on-line at www.bartleysailingclub.com.
We hope to see you at the first event 'The Beast Awakens' on 11th November.