IRC Classes at the International Paint Poole Regatta
by Chris Jones 18 Feb 2022 11:11 PST
30 April - 2 May 2022
International Paints Poole Regatta © Ian Roman /
www.ianroman.com
As part of the International Paint Poole Regatta running across the Early May Bank Holiday, from 30th April to 2nd May, at least three IRC classes will compete for the IRC Southern Area Championship.
Competing yachts will include the Performance 40 Fleet, comprising a large part of the IRC One Class. Classes Two and Three will be made up of a variety of yachts typically between 24 and 35 feet long, including everything from all-out racers, cruiser-racers and classic yachts. At least 3 IRC classes are planned and more will be added if expected entry numbers are exceeded. Rating bands will be kept to a minimum, thus ensuring tight on-the-water racing.
In addition to the three classes, the Quarter Tonners will be racing in their own separate class, also under the IRC rating system. The competition amongst these racing yachts of typically 24 feet long, is always fierce and it remains to be seen if the current Quarter Ton Cup Champion "Protis", sailed by Team Hamble, will be able to maintain its winning ways. It is anticipated that a large proportion of the 17-strong Solent fleet will make the short trip to Poole for the regatta.
The Cape 31 Class, a recently introduced and exciting, high performance class will be competing at Poole for the first time. These dynamic, pedigree yachts race within a very close set of IRC ratings, providing exciting one-design racing. The Class anticipates at least 15 yachts will compete in the International Paint Poole Regatta, as Round One of the Cape 31 Class Championship 2022.
The HP30s will also be competing at the regatta, following the close racing they enjoyed back at Poole 2018. This class is made up of full-on racing yachts, which fit within a very niche band of IRC ratings (1.050 - 1.140) along with other bandings for weight and length etc. The result is close, thrilling racing, with yachts such as the Farr 280, FarEast 28R and some other slight older designs competing against each other.
All yachts within the 18 classes taking part in the regatta will be battling it out for the oldest trophy in yacht racing; the Canford Cup. This was first presented to the winner of Poole Regatta in 1849 and as such, predates the Americas Cup by several years!
A full program of social events will be hosted by the yacht clubs around Poole Harbour during the regatta, with very generous 'liquid' support provided by Salcombe Gin and Hall and Woodhouse Brewery.
Full details of the regatta can be found on the regatta website, pooleregatta.co.uk
Online entry is available at pooleregatta.co.uk/enter-the-regatta. Early bird entry closes on the 20th March, so get your entry in now.