Royal Southern Yacht Club announces the David Thomas Regatta
by Peta Stuart-Hunt 16 Jan 2014 19:48 NZDT
9-11 May 2014
Racing during the Sigma 38 nationals in Lymington © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
In 2014, the yacht designer and sailing legend David Thomas is celebrating 25 years as a member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club and, in recognition, the Royal Southern is inviting owners of David Thomas-designed yachts to celebrate this landmark anniversary between 9th and 11th May.
Owners will have the opportunity to get together, partake in some light-hearted class and handicap racing, socialise and enjoy a celebratory dinner. Above all, this is an opportunity to celebrate in the company of this great man, his wife Trudi and his family.
Sunday sail past
The former M.D, of Hunter Boats turned sailing journalist Peter Poland is lined up as a guest speaker and together with the Club is organising a Sunday sail past of Thomas-designed yachts with David taking the salute. Peter Poland commented as follows:
"After successful careers as a merchant seaman, Yachting World journalist and sailmaker with Ratsey and Lapthorn, David Thomas took up full time yacht designing in the 1970s. Since then a stream of successful and innovative yachts has continued to flow from his drawing board. Some have been one-offs like the Quarter Tonners, Half Tonners, AC contenders, ocean cruisers etc while others have become hugely popular, high volume, GRP production yachts e.g. Elizabethan 31/30, Quarto, Intro, Hydro, Bolero, Quartet, National Sonata, Impala, Delta, Medina, Sigma 29/33/36/38/41, Hunter Horizon and Channel class cruisers, Red Fox, Foxer, Liberty, Minstrel, 707, Landau (motor boat), Cornish Crabbers etc... the list just goes on and on."
Thousands of David Thomas-designed boats continue to give their owners fun afloat, whether cruising or racing and so the Royal Southern invites you to join them in honouring the man and his work.
The Entry form and full details of berthing (from Friday 9th May) plus an itinerary of the events afloat and ashore will be available shortly from www.royal-southern.co.uk
Meanwhile, expressions of interest should be emailed direct to
Natalie Gray, Sailing Secretary: