Wayfarers at the virtual RYA Dinghy Show
by Tim Townsend 25 Feb 2021 23:39 PST
27-28 February 2021
Bournemouth Digital Poole Week 2019 day 3 © David Harding /
www.sailingscenes.com
After a washout on the open meeting and championship front in 2020, the UK Wayfarer Association is looking forward to 2021 with renewed appetite. A full programme of open meetings, Area and National Championships and various race weeks is in the calendar for this year, and although it remains to be seen how successfully the UK and Ireland will come out of lockdown we are confident that most of the programme will take place.
There is the usual blend of salt and fresh water events which make up the Craftinsure sponsored National Circuit and Travellers Series. There are nine events this year, one more than usual, just in case any are lost at the beginning of the season. The Series will culminate as usual at Bough Beech SC in November when the trophies and spot prizes will be won.
In addition to these, there are a number of other open meetings and sailing weeks where Wayfarers will either have a class start or representation within a handicap fleet.
The highlight of the season for the racers will undoubtedly be the combined UK National and European Championships which will be hosted by Medway YC, 5-8 August. Limited to an entry of 65 boats, competitors are expected from Denmark, Ireland, France and the Netherlands as well as from the mainland UK. Sponsorship from Hartley Boats, Craftinsure, McNamara Sails, Shepherd Neame and Wayfarer Wines together with a strong race team and a challenging race area promise an excellent event on and off the water. All eyes will be on the progress of the roadmap out of lockdown as well as the weather forecast over the next few weeks. The class racing calendar can be found here.
Along with all of the open events, Wayfarer sailors will be competing at their Clubs as soon as Boris removes the AP and displays the warning signal. As in 2020, Wayfarers will be raced at Clubs up and down the country, some in handicap fleets, and others in active one design fleets, with a full programme of racing and social activity.
The UK Wayfarer Association has a stand at this weekend’s virtual RYA Dinghy Show. www.rya.org.uk/dinghy-show/Pages/tickets.aspx Registration is free and once you have logged in search for the UK Wayfarer Association stand. There you will be able to learn more about this wonderful and classic Ian Proctor design and chat to members of the UKWA (using the “chat” facility) who will be only too happy to answer your questions. You will be able to learn that there is much more to the Wayfarer than racing. Many of the boats are used for cruising, for family sailing and for training. Visit our stand this weekend, click on the image which interests you and find out what the Wayfarer can do for you. We very much look forward to talking to you there.
For more information visit wayfarer.org.uk