Please select your home edition
Edition
Leaderboard FD July August September 2023

Warm southerly winds beckon for the Wilsonian River Challenge

by Andy Rice 28 May 2019 07:32 PDT 1-2 June 2019

Warm southerly winds beckon for the Wilsonian River Challenge this weekend on the Medway estuary. Could this finally be the start of summer? Taking place on 1&2 June, the next event in the Great British Sailing Challenge looks set for a fantastic weekend of handicap racing, open to most types of monohull dinghy.

With more than 40 boats already entered, competition across the many classes will be close. If you want to be part of it, make sure you complete online entry by Wednesday evening 29 May. Note that there is no entry on the day.

Enter at: www.sailingchallenge.org

There's a good spread of classes already entered, including: 2000, AltO, Blaze, Feva XL, International Moth, Laser Radial, Miracle, Musto Skiff, National 18, Osprey, Phantom, RS Vareo, RS200, RS600, RS800, Solo, Streaker, Vortex, Wayfarer.

The racing takes place under the Great Lakes variation on the standard RYA PY numbers, the same numbers used and well proven in the Selden SailJuice Winter Series. One of the competitors will be former SailJuice Winter Series winner Andy Peake who is stepping out of his Musto Skiff and into the RS600 for this event.

Saturday is a long distance race with the navigational adventure of racing in the estuary. It will be a bit of beating, reaching, running, and then after the first hour it will turn into a more standard race to keep all the boats in one place and finish them close together. With a target time of 100 minutes, the long distance offers an opportunity for the faster boats to stretch their legs, while on the Sunday it will be three back-to-back short course handicap races that will work more in favour of the slower boats.

Entry is open to all non-foiling monohull centreboard dinghies with a Great Lakes Handicap Number equal to or lower than the Topper 5.3 and Challenger Trimarans.

For friends and family who aren't racing, there's plenty to do nearby including a visit to the historic Upnor Castle and the local area which is full of Britain's maritime heritage.

The club is putting on food and social events throughout the weekend. Hot and cold food will be available from the galley on arrival including:

  • Food available for Friday night Competitors and Visitors
  • Breakfast served from 8am to 10.30am on Saturday from 7.30am to 9.30am on Sunday
  • Rolls to take afloat on request
  • Pasties and snack food available after racing on both Saturday and Sunday
  • Bar open all day for Soft Non Alcoholic and Alcoholic Drinks
  • Saturday Afternoon/Evening: The BBQ will be available from 4pm with live music in the Evening

Camping: There will be a limited amount of camping space(maximum tent Size 2 x 3 metres) and campervan space which will need to be applied beforehand on a first come first serve basis.

There's plenty of accommodation nearby. The website www.visitmedway.org/getting-here/visitor-information-centre will give you all local B&Bs, Guest Houses, Premier Inn, Travelodge and other hotels. The nearest towns are Hoo St Werburgh and Strood.

Online entry is open at www.sailingchallenge.org. Get your entry in before it hits the 80-boat limit.

Related Articles

Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 2 Ingrid Abery Gallery
Classic yachts, classic photos! Classic yachts, classic photos! Ingrid Abery was out on the water again at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez, this time catching the best of the classics on their race course, as they enjoyed the stunning conditions in the south of France. Posted today at 9:21 am
2025 Hobie 16 Open North Americans Day 2
Conditions in Pensacola continue to challenge sailors Day 2 of the Hobie 16 North American championships continued to challenge sailors. The winds on day two were stronger but very shifty. North winds (offshore), created 45 degree shifts with wind speed varying from 5 to 15 knots. Posted today at 5:35 am
Australia's 1980 Olympic Sailing Team Reunites
A gathering marked by reflection, reconciliation, and long-overdue recognition It took 45 years, but the athletes who formed Australia's 1980 Olympic sailing team have finally reunited, a gathering marked by reflection, reconciliation, and long-overdue recognition. Posted today at 4:54 am
Maxi yacht déjà-vu at Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez
The race team on the maxi course again achieved the impossible For day two, the 80-100 footers in Maxi 1 and the former Maxi 72s in the Maxi Grand Prix again raced windward-leewards on the Baie de Pampelonne while the smaller/slower boats in Maxi 3-5 were once more sent off on a coastal course. Posted on 30 Sep
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 2
One hundred years of naval architecture At the stroke of 10 this morning in bright sunshine, the kilted crewman on Elena of London breathed life into his bagpipes to signal the Tradition yachts' departure from the port of St Tropez. Posted on 30 Sep
2025 Formula Kite Worlds Quartu Sant'Elena day 1
Kampman & Maeder lead after four races Jessie Kampman leads the women and Max Maeder leads the men after a four-race opening day of the Formula Kite World Championships in Sardinia. Posted on 30 Sep
World Sailing's Sustainability Sessions Season 3
A new series of 12 webinars focused on sustainability in sailing World Sailing's Sustainability Sessions will return for season three with a new series of 12 webinars focused on sustainability in sailing. Posted on 30 Sep
Caring for your technical clothing
Top tips from Henri-Lloyd Henri-Lloyd is leading the way in the sailing apparel space with fabric innovations that are designed and manufactured using environmentally-friendly C0 Durable Water Repellent (DWR) technology. Posted on 30 Sep
2026 Fireball Worlds Expression of Interest
Sign-up and get into the draw for some great prizes Preparations continue for the 2026 Fireball Worlds hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club at the end of July. As part of the entry process, an Expression of Interest has been launched. Posted on 30 Sep
Voiles de Saint-Tropez Day 1 Ingrid Abery Gallery
She knew just where to be to catch the autumn light on the stunning yachts The one and only Ingrid Abery is in Saint-Tropez for Les Voiles, and knew just where to be to catch the autumn light at its best on day one of the regatta. Enjoy some of her great shots here! Posted on 30 Sep
Palm Beach Motor YachtsSelden 2020 - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTER