Please select your home edition
Edition

Albacore Internationals return in 2023 sponsored by Noble Marine

by Mark Reddington 22 Feb 2023 07:34 PST 30 July - 4 August 2023
Albacore Internationals at Shelburne, Nova Scotia day 5 © Pauline Rook

The Albacore Internationals, back on the water after a 2-year hiatus due to Covid. The 26th iteration of the event is being hosted by South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club in Abersoch, North Wales.

The 14-race event runs from Sunday 30th July through to Friday 4th August 2023 with registration and scrutineering taking place on Saturday 29th July. Races 1-8 held over the first three days will constitute the UK Nationals. Days four and five will see a further 6 races competed to make a total of 14 races for the International series.

This is the second visit to this popular location with the previous event being held in 2013, and is always a popular event for the fleet regularly attracting 50+ boats from England, Scotland, Wales, Shetland, Canada and the United States. Promising to be the best yet, this year's event has a full programme of social occasions off the water to add to the fun on the water. The racing will be as competitive as always with a number of ex and current International and National champions in attendance plus a number of top crews from other classes joining in. There will be plenty of daily tally prizes and further spot prizes awarded for things such as, first to the windward mark or best capsize etc. There are also a growing number of crews seeking boats and the class is asking for any owners looking to sell or charter their boats to get in touch.

The Albacore Internationals were first held at the Royal Canadian Yacht Club, Toronto in 1971 and have been held every 2 years since, alternating between Canada, USA and UK.

The history of the event is full of well-known names, but topping the line honours table are Michael McNamara (UK) and Barney Harris (USA) with 5 wins each.

The NOR and entry forms can be found on the Association website: www.albacore.org.uk or on the dedicated Facebook group 2023 Albacore Internationals. A reduced entry fee applies for completed entries submitted before 31st March.

The Albacore is a great first boat for those who are just learning to sail and a very competitive racer for more advanced sailors. It is fast and lively while being relatively easy to learn to sail and race. A fully adjustable rig and adjustable sail controls allow a crew to depower in high winds - enabling both light and heavy crews to race head-to-head. A very versatile boat, it is often sailed by husband and wife and also parent child combinations. Those looking for a simple to learn, yet high performance sailing dinghy can join the ranks of Albacore sailors who come from all walks of life and range in age from teenagers to masters grand masters and grand masters with many years of experience. The Albacore is a boat that is both simple to get into at first, and one which will challenge your tuning and tactical skills for the rest of your life.

Albacore Internationals roll of honour:

1971 - RCYC, Toronto, Ontario, CAN - Jack Langmaid & Nancy Langmaid (CAN)
1973 - RPCYC, Plymouth, UK - John Herbert & Norman Warrington (UK)
1975 - Henderson Harbor, New York, US - Bill Shore & Bonnie Shore (USA)
1977 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Barry Poyntz & Gary Poyntz (CAN)
1979 - RTYC, Torbay, UK - Mike Holmes & Dennis Froggatt (UK)
1981 - FBYC, Gwynn's Island, Virginia, US - Jon Webb & Peter Aitken (UK)
1983 - RCYC, Toronto, CAN - Barry Poyntz & Gary Poyntz (CAN)
1985 - HBSC, Herne Bay, UK - Graham Child & Nick Harrison (UK)
1987 - IHYC, New Jersey, US - John Clarke & Jaime Day (CAN)
1989 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - John Clarke & Jaime Day (CAN)
1991 - CBC, Cramond, Scotland, UK - Michael McNamara & Paul Hobsen (UK)
1993 - RBSA, Rehoboth, Delaware, US - Michael McNamara & Colin Goodman (UK)
1995 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Michael McNamara & Mike Gifford (UK)
1997 - HISC, Hayling Island, UK - Duncan Glen & Alistair Glen (UK)
1999 - RBSA, Rehoboth, Delaware, US - Michael McNamara & Malav Shroff (UK)
2001 - RTYC, Torquay, UK - Michael McNamara & Robin Barker (UK)
2003 - POH, Kingston, Ontario, CAN - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2005 - LRSC, Lyme Regis, UK - Chris Turner & Simon Maguire (UK)
2007 - WRSC, Galesville, Maryland, US - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2009 - SSI, Largs, Scotland, UK - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2011 - RCYC, Toronto, Ontario, CAN - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2013 - SCYC, Abersoch, Wales, UK - Barney Harris & Dave Byron (USA)
2015 - SSS, Sarasota, Florida, US - George Carter & Almir Tavares (CAN)
2017 - WPNSA, Weymouth, UK - Tom Lonsdale & Steve Graham (UK)
2019 - SHYC, Shelburne, Nova Scotia, CAN - Neville Herbert & Mark Fowler (UK)

Related Articles

The oldest footage of Albacore sailing
A look back into our video archive, which reveals some great 1960s material Here we look at early racing and cruising in the Albacore class. We have footage from 1958 to 1977 for you to enjoy looking back at the old technology, wonderful clothing, and excellent haircuts. Posted on 17 Nov
Albacore UK Nationals and Europeans
A generally sunny 4 days at picturesque Tynemouth SC 21 Albacores entered the Noble Marine National and European Championships held at the picturesque Tynemouth SC. The teams enjoyed a generally sunny four days of well organised sailing and socials with close racing throughout the fleet. Posted on 12 Sep
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy
Excellent event included fund raising for the Great North Air Ambulance Service Over its 62 years, the Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy run by Ullswater Yacht Club, has evolved into a 3 day festival of sailing, centred on an unique pair of all class handicap races in breath-taking scenery, for dinghies, keelboats and yachts. Posted on 18 Jul
62nd Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy Preview
One month to go, 160 entries have already been received The 62nd running of the Lord Birkett Trophy, which commemorates the saviour of Ullswater, is now less than a month away on 6th and 7th July. Posted on 10 Jun
Albacore Inlands at Bartley
Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west On 5th and 6th May, Bartley Sailing Club in south-west Birmingham hosted the Albacore class Inland Championship. Visitors travelled from as far as Scaling Dam in the north-east and Lyme Regis in the south-west. Posted on 8 May
Sailing World Regatta Series at Annapolis
Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors Knowledge of the Chesapeake Bay and its light, shifty winds paid off for local sailors this weekend in the Helly Hansen Sailing World Regatta Series - Annapolis, as winners in 15 classes call the area home. Posted on 6 May
Book review: Uffa
Yachting's eccentric genius I wasn't expecting to be particularly interested in a biography just because it covered the designer of famous dinghies. But one of the delights of reviewing books is the unexpected gem that grips you. This is one such book! Posted on 3 Mar
A is for Albacore on stand A10
At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show this weekend The Albacore Sailing Dinghy is once again on show at the RYA Dinghy Show taking place at Farnborough this weekend. Enthusiastic members of the Class Association will be on hand throughout the weekend to show the latest demo boat and answer any questions. Posted on 24 Feb
Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters
A Q&A with Justin Ahearn on the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship Sail-World checked in with Justin Ahearn, who serves as sailing director of the Clearwater Community Sailing Center, which is hosting the 2024 Albacore Midwinters Championship, via email, to learn more. Posted on 16 Jan
2023 Albacore Canadian Championship
Shift Happens at Thornbury Yacht Club As usual, the 2023 season in Canada culminated with the Canadian Championships on September 15-17, which took place for the first time ever out of the charming little town of Thornbury, Ontario, located on the shore of Georgian Bay. Posted on 27 Sep 2023