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This spectacular event
is unique, totally colourful,
and occupies an important date
in the diary of any
self-respecting yachting
enthusiast. Starting from the
Royal Yacht Squadron Line
(Cowes) early on Saturday
morning, classes leave at 10
minute intervals to sail the 52
mile course, leaving the Isle of
Wight to port. Fast racers will
be hoping that conditions are
ideal for them to challenge the
course record, which for
monohulls is held by GBR
Challenge in a time of 4:23:43
in 2001. More recently, the
enormous catamaran PlayStation
set an incredible round the
Island time of 2hrs and 33 mins.
However, the time to complete
the distance normally can be
anything between 5 to 10 hours.
In the
unlikely event of very bad
weather on the Saturday, there
is always the option of the race
committee postponing the start
until the Sunday. Normally,
however, one simply has this day
for some relaxing sailing the
Solent.
There are around 30 trophies to
be awarded (Drakes Drum managed
to collect a 1st in class and
division and 2nd overall in
Group in 2003 so that is a
target to beat), the ultimate
being the Golden Roman Rose
Bowl, for IRC classes. Often,
this produces some surprising
winners - it's all there to go
for!
To
get the most enjoyment
out of the event, we have
decided to start with a short
practice session on Friday
evening. So whether you need a
quick revision or an
introduction to the spinnaker,
it will not come as such a
complete shock when the skipper
asks for a hoist!!
Price for the weekend
(Friday evening to Sunday
afternoon) is from £250 per
person.
This includes everything:
race fees, insurance, mooring,
oilskins (if required), food on
board and a meal ashore on
Saturday evening overlooking the
harbour, exclusively for Go Sail
customers and friends.
We can assist
with team shirts if required and
provide additional tuition
either at a practice/race
training weekend or using the
Friday before the race.
Available
Yachts: (provisional):
| Name |
Model |
Berths/Crew |
Type |
Year |
Price per berth |
| Blue Max |
X-332 |
8 |
Racer/C |
1999 |
£275 |
| Xcess |
X-332 |
8 |
Racer/C |
1999 |
£275 |
| Drakes Drum |
Corby 25 |
5 |
Racer |
2001 |
£260 |
The above list is subject to
additions or replacement with
comparable yachts. Booking will
be confirmed only after receipt
of deposit (per berth £80 or
multiply by number of berths for
whole boat charter) and
completed booking form. Balance
to be received by us before 1st
May 2004. Joining instructions
will be sent out approximately
three weeks before event.
Crews:
Whilst we generally operate a
"first come, first served"
policy and endeavour to
accommodate all reasonable
requests regarding sailing on
any specific yacht, we need to
consider a number of factors
when making up the final balance
and strength of a particular
crew. These can include previous
individual experience and
knowledge, number in party,
personalities and compatibility,
complexity of the yacht, natural
race aspirations and
aggressiveness of the skipper …
to name but a few! Remember we
do want you to enjoy your
weekend and to get what you want
out of it, in conjunction with
the others in your crew - talk
to us early, are you an out and
out racer or a social sailor!!!
In the interests of safety and
considering the overall crew
experience,
Go Sail may
deem it necessary to add extra
experienced crew members in key
positions on any particular
yacht.
Extra Training: For those
wishing to improve their
knowledge prior to the actual
race and consequently get more
enjoyment out of the event, we
can arrange Special Race
Preparation Weekends at
£135/person or alternatively if
a session on the Friday before
race is more attractive, this
could be organised for £75 extra
per person. - N.B. a minimum
number of crew will need to
attend (say 2 less than crew
maximum).
Foul
weather Gear: As the race is
held during the summer months,
it is very rare that serious
foul weather gear is in fact
required for this event. All
that is usually needed is the
occasional use of some light
duty spray-proof / wind-proof
trousers and top. We do have a
few old sets of old oilskins
available. For those who want to
look the business, then we can
hire you the latest breathable
kit - call for price and
availability.
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