Old IOR Halftonners get new event

by Half Ton Class/Bert Janssen on 6 Feb 2006 The Half Ton Class Europe, picking up an idea from their Finnish counterparts, has decided to take over the sailing agendas of its North Sea based members by creating a series of regattas for the ‘old’ IOR halftonners from the 70s/80s.

A nice and appetizing regatta menu has been composed, containing seven sailing events prepared in the UK, France, Holland and Belgium, allowing most North Sea halftonners, and perhaps some other foreign entries as well, to participate in 3 or even 4 events.

As for other events this kind of organization can’t live without the support of a dedicated main sponsor, so the Half Ton Class Europe is very proud to welcome CARE PLUS, a Dutch-based company specialized in health-related advice and products in the outdoor travel market. Thanks to the highly appreciated support from a few other companies like Radio Holland/Raymarine, Yachting Wave, AS-Adventure and others the organizers can offer a lot of nice prizes to the halftonners and their crews at the end of each regatta.

Talking about regattas… here are the seven regattas that were selected by the Half Ton Class Europe : the season starts on Thursday May 25 with the double-handed Ostend to Ramsgate race (the Dover Strait Race), followed by a short cruise-in-company to Felixstowe where the halftonners will participate in the Port of Felixstowe Regatta on 27 and 28 May.

The weekend after we continue with the Grand Prix de la Côte d’Opale from Boulogne to Dunkirk, from June 3 to 5. The Half-Ton spring season ends on 17-18 June in Zeebruges with the Light Vessel Weekend.

At the end of August the halftonners meet again in the Dutch harbour of Breskens for the Breskens Sailing Weekend and the Centennial Regatta of the organizing Brussels Royal YC. By the way, this yacht club is offering the entry fee to all participants from France and the UK… Mid-September the Half Ton Home Series in Nieuwpoort will commemorate the revival of the class that started here in August 2003. Radio Holland, the Belgian distributor of Raymarine products, has promised some nice prizes…

Our season ends on October 7 with the Antwerp Race sailed on the River Scheldt, and finishing in the hearth of the city of Antwerp. The day after on Sunday 8th we will participate in the ProvAnt Sail Cup, a short series of demonstration regattas in the shadow of the Antwerp Cathedral, invented to allow the regions’ youngsters to discover sailing. Spectacular courses in breathtaking scenery, much to the enjoyment of both the crews and the public…

This series has not only been created for the existing fleet, but also to convince potential new owners to embark on these relatively low-budget but exciting sailing boats. On the Class’ website there are some very interesting offers…

It goes without saying that the Half Ton Class Europe encourages and will support similar initiatives from Half-Ton freaks around Europe.

Event website: http://www.halftonclass-europe.net