Allen Endurance Series 2021
by Ben Harden 18 Feb 2021 19:34 AEDT
Whitstable Forts Race © Nick Champion /
www.championmarinephotography.co.uk
The Allen Endurance Series (AES) will be returning for its 4th season, this time with the inclusion of an additional event, bigger prize fund and new website.
Launched in 2018 the series combines the UK's premier long-distance events to give high-performance Catamaran and Skiff sailors a season-long series to compete for. Currently included are the Whitstable Forts, Solent Forts, East Coast Piers and Round Sheppey races. And for 2021 Allen has announced the inclusion of the Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race. The series will now include two discards.
This year competitors will be able to track their overall AES position on the new Allen Endurance Series website. The new website allows competitors to easily find information for each of the events all in one place, including event documentation and registration links.
Allen will be providing an enticing £1000 worth of vouchers and merchandise throughout the five AES events, as well as, the overall series prizes of £500, £250 & £100 vouchers for 1st, 2nd and 3rd respectively.
Visit www.allenenduranceseries.com for more details.
Allen Endurance Series Events 2021
The Whitstable Forts Race - 29th & 30th May (2019 write up and results here)
A long-distance race which has evolved over its 24-year history into a well-balanced test of sailing and racing skills, attracting top national helms as well as experienced club racers and international entries. The Saturday afternoon will feature a shakedown race to the Forts and back - a single leg for boats with 1000 PY and below. For those boats of 1000+, there will be an inshore race. On Sunday, laid out in hub and spoke format with each leg returning through a gate near the club, will be the Endurance Race. The full course covers 85 kilometres in estuary, coastal and open sea conditions, and provides racing at all points of sailing. The flexibility of this format differentiates the Forts Race from other marathon events.
Solent Forts Race - 19th & 20th June (2019 write up and results)
The Solent Forts Race is a long-distance event for sports Catamarans and fast monohull dinghies and is set in the Eastern Solent, with Hayling Island and Portsmouth to the north and the Isle of Wight to the west. The race comprises several legs radiating out from a gate (like a star), allowing the course configuration and length to be adjusted according to the conditions prevailing on the day. The race gets its name from the Napoleonic Channel Forts that comprise two of the marks of the course. The race has a unique 'time out' feature that allows boats to take an optional 30-minute break during the race. This time may be used for a comfort break or for tactical purposes. Saturday also features a shakedown race.
East Coast Piers Race - 17th & 18th July (2019 write up and results)
Open to fast dinghies and Catamarans, the East Coast Piers Race is a major charity event raising funds to support "The Cirdan Trust" to further support their important work with socially or physically disadvantaged children. The race is based at Marconi Sailing Club on the River Blackwater in Essex and goes all the way up the East Coast to Walton and back again. There are three course options available, the Bradwell Race - 13 miles long open to fast dinghies. The Colne Point Race - 27 miles long open to fast dinghies and Catamarans. And the Endurance Race, the full ECPR which is 48 miles long open to Catamarans only. Saturday Features a round the cans shakedown race with an excellent party in the evening.
Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race - 8th August
The Anglesey Offshore Dinghy & Catamaran Race is The North West's premier offshore dinghy race, covering over 15 nautical miles around the South East coast of Anglesey. Frequent visitors include Olympic sailors, and past and present National Champions. The race starts on the Royal Anglesey start line at Beaumaris in the picturesque Menai Straits. Then through Puffin Sound and passing the rugged cliffs of Anglesey. After crossing the glorious sandy beaches of Red Wharf Bay, the fleet head for the famous Lifeboat station at Moelfre. The finish is at Red Wharf Bay Sailing Club at Traeth Bychan. Rated by Yachts and Yachting as one of the top events to compete in. Unfortunately, this year the event cannot include a shakedown race on the Saturday. It is hoped to be include for future seasons.
IOS Round the Island Race - 4th & 5th September (2019 write up and results)
IOS Round the Island Race is a long established, long distance event designed to test sailing skills and endurance over a 40-mile course. Sailed clockwise around the island of Sheppey, starting and finishing at IOS Sailing Club. The race includes tidal sea, river & estuary sailing. The event is the longest dinghy and board race in Europe —The race is open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard and there is a shakedown race on the Saturday.