2016 IRC Double Handed National Championships - Preview
by Cathy Crawley 21 Aug 2016 14:52 UTC
16-17 September 2016
IRC Double Handed National Championship 2015 © Luke Shears
A big entry is expected for the 2016 IRC Double Handed National Championships to be held in the Solent on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th September.
With just four weeks until the third edition of this event, 74 boats have registered interest to compete. 2015 IRC Double Handed Overall champions, Neil Martin and Philip Barnes will be there to defend their title on Hot Cookie, a Sunfast 3600. They have already seen success in 2016 winning the Nab Tower Race in April and finishing second in the Yarmouth to Cowes Race in May, both JOG races. "Phil and I are looking forward to competing in the DH Nationals again; there are lots of talented sailors who enter and provide very close racing" says Neil. Andy Roberts winner of Class 2 in 2015 with Bill Edgerley on the J105, Jin Tonic, said, "we are definitely going to compete in the DH Nationals this year - it is too much fun to not attend!"
The format will be similar to last year: a Windward Leeward race followed by a Round the Cans race on Friday with a Passage race on Saturday. Organisers expect to run at least three classes. An attractive 'aprés race' programme on both evenings at the RORC clubhouse in Cowes is provided as part of the entry fee as is berthing at Cowes Yacht Haven.
Those boats without a full IRC certificate will be able to take advantage of the IRC single event rating.
The Notice of Race and the entry details can be found on the event website for the IRC Double Handed National Championships at www.DHNationals.co.uk.
Enter now to take advantage of the discounted early entry fee.