Cowes Week and other Yacht Racing

HURST POINT YACHT CHARTERS LIMITED

Lymington based uk yacht charter at the spectacular western end of the Solent

Tel 01590 623765 mob 07932 140878
or email info@hurstpointyachts.co.uk

BOOK NOW FOR ROUND THE ISLAND RACE 30TH JUNE 2012
The race is our most popular form of yacht charter and always the first to sell out. Autumn is the time to book if you wish to secure a yacht. The 2011 race attracted record entries of 1908 yachts and many more were disappointed due to unavailability of yachts and race berths. Strong winds and 20ft waves off St Catherines Point resulted in 438 yachts retiring, some due to dismasting and capsizing. There were a record circa 60 Maydays and Pan Pan emergencies put out but fortunately all crew returned safely. This was the first race in strong winds for several years and it made for an exciting day. By contrast some years there is insufficient wind to round the Needles forcing hundreds of yachts to retire. All our yachts completed the race safely and with some respectable times.

SATURDAY 30th JUNE 2012
To avoid disappointment in the 2012 race, now is the time to book, especially if you wish to charter bareboat. We have the following options:
1) Bareboat Yacht Bavaria 47 certified to carry 14 people £3500. Note it is rare to find a yacht of this size available bareboat for the race. There are 12 berths.
2) Skippered yacht for corporate charter. Brand new Beneteau Oceanis 47 £2995 + VAT for 7 crew plus skipper(Includes food and drink provisions, race entry fees and reserved berth Cowes for two nights
3) Individual race berths on a 40ft yacht £299 per person (Includes food and drink provisions, race entry fees and reserved berth Cowes for two nights (SOLD)
4) Bareboat Yacht 2011 Oceanis 37 8 berth. £2995.

Welcome to the Race Participation section of the website. For those who wish to experience the competitive side of sailing, there are a number of opportunities available. Every June, the Round the Island Race takes place whilst early August is reserved for Cowes Week and September for the Little Britain Cup.

ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
This year the race takes place on Saturday 30th June 2012. Organised by the Island Sailing Club, this is the worlds largest yacht race with around 1800 yachts participating and the Olympic sailors will be competing against you for the Gold Roman Bowl. The race starts at the Royal Yacht Squadron starting line at Cowes and follows a 50 nautical miles course anti clockwise around the Isle of Wight. Average time is approximately 9 hours although the record held by a multihull is just over 3 hours. Entrants come from all over the world and the race is one of the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) series of events which include the Cowes to Cherbourg trophy and the Fastnet race. There are many hazards to negotiate starting with rounding the Needles lighthouse and the wreck of the Varvassi. The fleet tack across each other at this point to change course sometimes in strong currents and rough seas. The direct course from here can take you close to Goose Rock and Irex rock, contact with either could ruin your day. Strong currents and rough seas are encountered for a short while off St Catherines Point. Rounding the bouys off Bembridge Ledge and the Solent Forts is a serious risk of collision with other yachts. The finish line off Cowes gives a huge sense of achievement and no doubt the memory of the race will last long.

We are offering 3 day race charters consisting of a race training sail from Lymington to Cowes on Friday 29th June. This is followed by an evening ashore Cowes and overnight on-board in the Medina river. This allows an early departure Saturday around 6am for the start soon afterwards, and the finish is crossed mid afternoon. Evening ashore Cowes. Sunday morning sail back to Lymington. Please see further details including pricing information on our Round the Island Race page.

COWES WEEK Cowes week takes place from 11-18 August 2012. This is the worlds oldest and largest sailing regatta with 8,500 competitors taking part in 8 days of sailing. We are offering three formulae this year, Corporate Private Racing Charter, Individual Racing Berth and Race Viewing Cruises. Find out more here about these Cowes Week events.

THE LITTLE BRITAIN CHALLENGE CUP
The Little Britain Challenge Cup takes place in September, usually annually. Around 240 yachts compete making this the largest annual industry sailing regatta in Europe, the only bigger regatta of any description being Cowes Week. It is also the biggest annual gathering of senior construction and property industry figureheads. A large cheque is awarded to charity each year. Enquiries are welcome for teams of 7 crew plus skipper. There are 4 races over 3 days and all racing is organised by the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes. Champagne receptions, gala dinners, this one has the lot.

OTHER RACES
Spring and Winter series of races are envisaged consisting of a day sail from Lymington. This is a good introduction to racing and a nice way to kick off and end the sailing season. Price is £95 per person per race. Please enquire for available dates.

VIEW THE COWES WEEK RACING FROM LUXURY MOTOR LAUNCH

The Nelson 75 can accommodate up to 40 guests.

FIND ALL PRICES HERE

PHOTOGRAPHS HERE FROM THE 2011 ROUND THE ISLAND RACE
BOOK NOW FOR ROUND THE ISLAND RACE BERTHS 2012

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