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Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024
19-23 August 2024
Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024 © Peter Hickson
As Chichester Harbour Race Week 2024 reached its exciting final day, many of the 20 different fleets competing still had much to gain.
The event, known as England’s largest and family-friendly regatta, celebrated its 60th edition with 383 entries. Competitors ranged from young sailors in Optimists to seasoned racers in Finns, Flying Fifteens, Hadron H2s, RS Elites, and numerous other classic and modern sailboat designs. The medium handicap fleet was the largest, closely followed by the RS 200s.
In total, nearly 600 sailors from 59 clubs across the UK and beyond participated. A dedicated team of 120 volunteers from Chichester Harbour Federation’s member clubs ensured a smooth experience both on and off the water, with exceptional support from the host club, Hayling Island SC.
After variable winds for the first three days, Thursday was a rest day due to excessively wild conditions, even for the keelboats. However, Friday brought sunshine and a moderate-to-brisk breeze, allowing all classes to spread across the water between Hayling Island and the Sussex shore for a joyful conclusion to the week.
As the final races commenced, 13 key placements still needed to be settled. Dramatic moments included a potential winning sailor from the fast handicap fleet experiencing an awkward tumble overboard, and two quick successions of broken masts for the leading RS Tera sailor.
Consistency emerged as a critical factor in the races. Ukraine’s Sofia Naumenko excelled in the RS Aero 6 fleet, triumphing in every race and finishing in such a commanding position in the final race that she was momentarily overlooked at the finish line. This experience served as excellent preparation for the Aero world championships that followed Race Week at HISC.
Other exceptional performers who showcased consistent results over the four racing days included David and Fiona Sayce (Fireball, HISC), Matt Currell and David Brand (RS 200, Parkstone YC), Jonathan and Matthew Bailey (2000, Weir Wood SC), Russell Mead (ILCA 6, Lee-on-Solent SC), and Thomas Knight and Sam Machell (RS Feva, Chichester YC).
Entrants from Hayling Island SC significantly outnumbered those from other clubs, resulting in their dominant performance in securing the top adult and junior club team prizes. The surprising outcome was Felpham SC finishing as the second adult team, surpassing Chichester Harbour clubs with larger entry numbers and the spirited members of Bowmoor SC, who had traveled from the Cotswolds with 23 boats, including an RS Elite keelboat.
Mark your calendars: Race Week 2025 will take place from August 11 to 15. For comprehensive results, a day-by-day blog, and a photo gallery of the 2024 event, visit chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net.
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Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.
