Welcome to the 2016 Season.

This being the 50th Anniversary year, it would be great to see as many Contessa 26’s on the water as possible, enjoying some close competitive racing.

The Official Race Programme consists of The Round the Island Race and The National Championships with entry open to Class Association Members as well as Non-Members.

 

Ratings

This year the National Championships will be hosted by Lymington Town Sailing Club. As per the 2015 National Championships we have three Classes to cater for differing levels of ability within the fleet:

·       The Racing Class is for accomplished Racers with Race Spec Boats and is run under the International IRC Rating System. 

·       The Cruiser Class is for novices or those sailing short-handed with Cruiser Spec Boats and is run under Event Specific Rating Systems. 

·       The White Sails Class is for Cruiser Spec Boats not wishing to use a spinnaker.

If you intend on entering the Racing Class please ensure you apply to the IRC Rating Office for a Rating as soon as possible. If your boat has not previously had an IRC Rating and you only intend to do one or two of our Events we have arranged for the IRC to issue Single Event Ratings offering a substantial saving over an annual rating – for details please go to www.rorcrating.com/22-irc-rating/application/277-new-applications

Cruiser Class and White Sails Ratings are provided by the Contessa 26 Association for the National’s and for The Round The Island Race the Cruiser Class Ratings are called ISCRS and provided by the Island sailing Club upon entry to the Event. No White Sails Class exists for this Event but your rating in ISCRS is adjusted to take into account the lack of a spinnaker.

The Island Sailing Club J P MORGAN ROUND THE ISLAND RACE.
Saturday 2 July 2016 

The Contessa 26 Class remains recognised by the Island Sailing Club and is permanently incorporated as an Official Class within the main IRC Contest for The Gold Roman Challenge Cup as well as the ISC Contest for The Silver Gilt Challenge Cup.

In 2015 we had 11 boats spread across the IRC and ISCRS fleets and following the successful trial in 2015 the main event prize giving on Sunday 3 July will include the presentation of the Jeremy Rogers Trophy for first Contessa 26 in IRC and the new David Sadler Trophy for the first Contessa 26 in the CO26 class in ISCRS.

The Event is now open for entries via the ISC website at www.roundtheisland.org.uk . Early Bird reduced rate entry is available for a limited period so go online and Enter Now.

No block berthing is available for this Event but for the first time you can now book a berth in advance individually at Shepards Wharf Marina. Book Now as these berths will go fast especially as they are also offering an Early Bird discount – see details on www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/round_the_island_race_berthing.

50th ANNIVERSARY YEAR – NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2016.
Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 September 2016 

Our National Championships is this year back in the Western Solent, kindly hosted by Lymington Town Sailing Club. Yet again, It promises to be another competitive and social event for the 26’s, as well as allowing us to entertain the CO32 fleet who are also holding a small event at the same weekend.

Attached is the Notice of Race which gives full details of the Weekends Racing and Social Functions and the Entry Forms are on the Class website and the Event is officially open for entries !!

The entry fee is £45.00 per boat for entries received before 6th August 2016 and £50.00 thereafter. No entries will be taken after Saturday 28 August.  Full details can be found in the NoR.

We have three Trophies are up for grabs:

·       THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACING CLASS TROPHY – 1st IRC Rating System Contessa 26 

·       THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP CRUISING CLASS TROPHY – 1st Cruiser Rating System Contessa 26 

·       NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS (NON-SPINNAKER) CRUISING CLASS – 1st Cruiser Rating System Non-spinnaker Contessa 26

All boats are encouraged to berth at Dan Bran Pontoon where a group rate discount has been arranged.

All of the events are open to all Contessa 26’s even if they are not on the distribution list,  please feel free to invite any owners you may know or meet and please forward this email to them. 

I would ask that you let the Racing Captain know of your intentions for our two Events, this allows us to gain a rough idea of numbers. Please email racing_captain@contessa26.net.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to contact Mike Harrison (Racing Captain) on 07968 362101, or Tom Olden on 07795023936. The 2016 programme is being jointly organised on behalf of the Class by Tom Olden and Mike Harrison.

Look forward to seeing you on the start line (and in the bar). Have a great season. 

NB Entries are coming in thick and fast for the Class 50th Anniversary Rally at Lymington, and if you haven’t entered yet now is the time to send it in. Also the 50th Anniversary Book which is a great and essential to have production is on sale now, secure your copy and details for both are on the website.

Regards,

Mike Harrison

Racing Captain.

(h) 01983 297406 (m) 07968 362101

Email: racing_captain@contessa26.net