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Glorious Race Weeks
This week, instead of discussing the Olympics and America’s Cup, let’s shine a spotlight on the exciting world of Race Weeks.
July and August witnessed a flurry of Race Weeks, bringing together local sailors who eagerly took to the water. While much of the focus here is on events in the UK, thrilling gatherings also took place in Australia and the USA.
At YachtsandYachting.com, we’ve conducted an analysis of attendance at these events to assess the current health of the sport. For the past 25 years, we have examined UK National Championship attendance as a measure of class performance. Increasingly, however, I believe that the success of Race Weeks provides an even more telling indicator of sailing’s vitality, and the results are decidedly positive.
Several economic factors contribute to the thriving nature of many local race weeks. While traveling to events incurs rising costs, such as expensive rental accommodations and camping fees, local events offer a more budget-friendly alternative. By participating in local races, sailors can enjoy their time on the water without the stress of extensive travel or logistics, allowing them to take advantage of their free time without the burden of rigging and derigging their boats. This “sailing staycation” can be not only enjoyable but also a refreshing holiday experience.
The scale and size of Race Weeks can differ widely, ranging from large-scale events like Cowes Week and Chichester Harbour Federation Week, which attract hundreds of boats, down to more intimate gatherings with just 30 or 40 participants. Major events, such as Hamilton Island Race Week, draw thousands of sailors, while smaller clubs may see fewer than 100 participants.
While some events necessitate travel, yachts can often sail themselves to these competitions, effectively providing onboard accommodation. However, this isn’t always feasible for high-end racing boats. Cork Week and Cowes Week, for example, have experienced declines from their peak attendance, with high travel and accommodation costs identified as significant factors. Encouragingly, this year’s Cowes Week has received positive feedback, indicating efforts to rectify these issues.
Events like the Cadet Weeks at Solway Yacht Club and Blackwater Sailing Club exemplify successful events that blend serious competition with fun activities, resulting in impressive participation. For many young sailors, these experiences create lasting memories, complete with tug-of-war competitions and the joy of sailing adventures.
Although July and August represent winter in Australia, events like Magnetic Island, Airlie Beach, and Hamilton Island Race Week continue to flourish with fleets ranging from 65 to over 150 boats. The warm weather often rivals a UK summer, making these events immensely popular despite the vast distances typically encountered in Australia.
In the USA, Race Weeks prominently feature at prestigious yacht clubs along the west and east coasts, such as Long Beach, Larchmont, Chester, and New York. These events attract over 100 boats each and offer competitive racing under various formats, including IRC, ORC, and PHRF, in addition to one-design classes featuring numerous ‘J’ classes like the J70, J105, and J109.
Returning to the UK, classic sailing events have found success at gatherings like Cowes Classic Week. The Solent hosts exceptional racing for fleets such as the XOD, Sunbeam, and Daring, while multiple races each day provide sailors with a sense of greater value than what they experience during Cowes Week.
Two significant UK dinghy events include Bass Week, held on Bassenthwaite—the sole true ‘lake’ in the Lake District—hosting 220 boats from 42 different clubs, and Chichester Harbour Race Week, which attracted an impressive 383 entries from 59 clubs across 20 fleets. Both events have garnered loyal followings and are eagerly awaited each year.
The east coast of the UK has witnessed a remarkable revival, with events like Mersea Week and Burnham Week seeing strong attendance figures. Photos from Burnham Week, featuring one-designs battling it out in the Crouch estuary, alongside classic Smacks at Mersea Week, are particularly enjoyable to see.
On the south coast, Poole Week recently concluded with 189 boats taking to the water. Poole Harbour and the nearby bay provide idyllic sailing conditions, complemented by world-class facilities at Parkstone Yacht Club, which contribute to the event’s popularity.
Additionally, Falmouth Week saw over 100 boats competing, with the stunning Carrick Roads serving as a picturesque backdrop for the beautifully adorned Falmouth Working Boats. The Fowey Royal Regatta is another vibrant West Country event, where competing boats often showcase a dazzling array of clashing colors on their mainsails and jibs.
While major championship events have generally had a successful year, Race Weeks offer an ideal alternative for those who prefer a less formal approach to racing or wish to avoid extensive travel. Although the competition remains fierce at times, local rivalries can be intense, yet the overall atmosphere tends to be more relaxed.
Ultimately, July and August have been about more than just the Olympics and America’s Cup in the sailing world. A myriad of sailing events across the globe underscores the sport’s strength and community spirit beyond the headlines. Whether watching the AC75s in Barcelona or competing locally, the diverse array of racing experiences offers something for every sailor.
Mark Jardine
Managing Editor, Sail-World.com and YachtsandYachting.com
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Ava Thompson, a skilled sailor and marine journalist from Auckland, has developed a deep connection to the ocean that guides her work. With a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Auckland, Ava is known for her engaging and detailed storytelling. Her writing brings to life the thrill of sailing and the unique maritime culture of New Zealand, earning her recognition in the sailing community. Outside of her journalism, Ava enjoys exploring the rugged coastlines of New Zealand and competing in local regattas, always in search of her next seafaring adventure.
