All aboard for the Carey Olsen Jersey Regatta and 8th IRC Channel Islands Championship!
by Bill Harris 1 Jul 2021 08:20 PDT
10-12 September 2021
With summer now upon us and the Island's busy sailing programme well under way, preparations are gathering pace for the 23rd edition of the Jersey Regatta being held from Friday 10th to Sunday 12th September.
This sailing jamboree, generously sponsored for the second year by leading offshore law firm Carey Olsen, has a packed schedule designed to provide keen competition and fun for all, both on and off the water. Jersey Marinas, supporters since the first edition in 1999, will be providing complimentary berthing during the week of the Regatta.
Three days of racing in beautiful St Aubin's Bay
Organised jointly by the three sailing clubs, this classic event features three days of racing for cruiser/racers, quarter tonners, sportsboats, dayboats, dinghies, sport catamarans and windsurfers. The beautiful natural arena of St Aubin's Bay provides the racing venue for all, extending to the Island's coastal waters in the case of the cruiser classes. The social programme, hosted in the yacht clubs, is designed to provide plenty of opportunity to socialise, unwind and, for visitors, to glean those golden nuggets of local knowledge.
Keeping informed with the latest updates
Covid restrictions meant that the Regatta was, entirely, a local affair in 2020. Notwithstanding the absence of visiting boats, local sailors turned out in near record numbers. With restrictions currently easing, the organisers anticipate a return to the pre-Covid format and, along with the sailing community, look forward to the cut and thrust, fun and friendship that accompany visiting boats. Here is the link for those aspiring visitors who wish to keep up to date: www.jersey.com/visit-safe. This site also provides a wealth of information concerning accommodation, what to see, where to dine and what's on, etc.
A well-established format
The Regatta will follow its well-established format with a distance race for the cruisers and sportsboats during the Friday morning whilst the 'small boat' classes come to the line in the afternoon. These races are 'standalone' with their own prizes and trophies. The races held on Saturday and Sunday, essentially 'round the cans', also count for each day's Regatta prizes and trophies and the Carey Olsen Jersey Regatta best overall prizes in each class. RORC's 8th IRC Channel Islands Championship will, undoubtedly, be the major highlight for the cruiser/racers whilst the quarter tonners will be racing for the Island ARK trophy.
How to enter
The Notice of Race, see www.jerseyregatta.com, gives details of the modest entry fees that include catering on all but the Saturday party night. The fees are discounted for 'early birds' who sign up no later than 20th August; standard fees apply up to 3rd September when entries close.
For further information, contact the Regatta office on 00 44 (0) 1534 732229 or email .