2018 Nationals – 1st & 2nd September – Island Sailing Club, Cowes

Entries are open on line and to help administration in these final few weeks it’s a timely reminder to all prospective entrants to get their entry forms in as soon as possible.

All documentation is on the Island Sailing Club website. Please go to “Racing” then “Racing Documents” then “2018 Specific Events” and down the page you will find “CO 26 Nationals”. Documents there including the on line Entry Form, the Notice of Race, Championships Dinner menu and Dinner Booking Form for attention.

Compared with other local yachting events the entry fee and ancillary costings seem most reasonable this year. ISC have done us well!

As usual and as announced in the Notice of Race there are separate Championship results and trophies for Classes 1 (IRC), 2 (Class Handicap) and 3 (Class Handicap without spinnakers). Additionally 3 individual races this year for a bit of fun we will run and announce separate results for the 3 Classes combined. It might be a bit hit or miss but a fun experiment. It is in response to several members requests in previous events and let’s see what happens!

For moorings we have arranged a group discount at Shepards Wharf Marina at £22.40 per night. To book your mooring please call Shepards Wharf direct on 01983 297281 and quote the Contessa 26 Nationals / Rally booking.

The Championships Dinner is on Saturday at ISC. Its £21.50 per head for 3 courses and coffee. The Club has generously given us a members discount for the whole group dinner. The menu and booking form are also online for early attention.

As in previous years if any non-racing members would like to attend the dinner and / or bring boats to cruise or watch the event they will be most welcome and please do let me know and we can advise on dinner booking arrangements.

Round the Island Race 2018 Results

We are sure all members will have heard or seen the results and for the Class how fantastic. Congratulations again to Sarah and Ross Appleby in High Potential for their great success in IRC and winning the Gold Roman Bowl for first overall. They were closely followed by new member George Smith who has acquired Brizo this year in third overall, at the age of 17 and in his first RIR in the boat. Meow (Chris Charlesworth) also notched up a most respectable 11th overall. Also in the ISCRS fleet Jiminy Cricket achieved 4th overall.

However and somewhat disappointingly to other members entering the combination of the late start this year and light airs meant they were unable to reach the Needles before the onset of the strong flood tide and in common with many small boat ISCRS entrants retirements ensued. The Association has lodged a letter about this disappointment and a representation for the 2019 start time with the organisers. A report on the race will appear in the next News Letter.

South Coast Cruise 2018

The revived South Coast Cruise was an outstanding success in early June. A report will appear in the News Letter. It was great fun and planning is currently under way for a 2019 event.

North Sea Rally 2019

After the 2017 inaugural event and by way of advance notice the date is fixed for 5th 6th and 7th July 2019 for this biannual Rally. The date is also just being announced in the Benelux Association Newsletter, and we know that some of our Dutch friends will be visiting us. It will be based from and around the Orwell and the current plan is to assemble and start from Royal Harwich Yacht Club at Woolverstone. It’s a date to be saved by our East Coast and further distant members interested. More to follow on this at the AGM.

Some news from the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club CO26 Fleet…

We are delighted to have heard some up to date news from our Association members and CO26 owners in Bridlington. Cliff Lake, who has recently acquired and is sailing Halcyon Days advises that the season thee is fairly active. Their big event which is the RYYC Regatta kicks off next week and where will be four CO26’s taking part and competing for the silverware. In addition to Halcyon Days Daisy Dog Tessdor and True Blue are competing. We wish them luck. Cliff mentions they are looking forward to the competitive racing and a fun packed social week. A report on the Regatta results and season will appear in the annual News Letter.