J Class racing in the Solent

The behemoths of sailing are coming to the Solent from 18-21 July to take part in three match races, followed by a reenactment of the original Americas' Cup course round the Isle of Wight. Join the Club to watch the racing, based at Gin's in the Beaulieu River.

The racing is organised by the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and the J Class Association with Lionheart, Velsheda, Ranger and Rainbow amongst the six confirmed J Class yachts competing. This will be an outstanding and spectacular event, both for the competitors and spectators. We are organising an informal rally to take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to see the yachts in action.

The programme is as follows, see www.jclasssolentregatta.com:

Wed 18th July - Race in western Solent start 11.00

Thur 19th July - Race in central Solent start 11.00

Fri 20th July - Race in eastern Solent start 11.00

Sat 21st July - Race round the island clockwise from RYS line start 10.00

The Hundred Guinea Cup Race 21st July 2012

The last race will start on the RYS line off Cowes, and will be sailed over the original 75 mile clockwise course around the Isle of Wight, for the 1851 Hundred Guinea Cup Race, which is now known as the “Americas' Cup”.

Starts are in the vicinity of Salt Mead on Wed-Fri and RYS on Sat (HW Portsmouth 13.42 BST, Springs), so Beaulieu River is the nearest spot on the mainland to the starting area.

Space for 4 or 5 boats on the newly opened extended jetty at Gin's has therefore been reserved for the nights of Wednesday through Saturday. The facilities of Gin's will be available for those visiting boats including showers, restaurant and parking whether on a buoy, jetty or pontoon. http://www.rsyc.org.uk/club/pontoonopened_css.html

As most of our yachts are not able to keep up with the J class fleet, lunch arrangements might include Newtown Creek, the Italian restaurant in Cowes, a visit to see the restoration of the interior of Britannia and Osborne Bay while waiting for their return to finish.

Edwardian costume mandatory; at least at the start of the races!

Skippers please contact Barrie Martin to reserve a place / register the days you would like to overnight at Gin’s. You can then make your own arrangements to reserve a table for supper at Gin’s or elsewhere.  The Saturday might be busier at Gin’s and depending on numbers we could possibly head off to The Turfcutters Arms in East Boldre.

It might be useful to have MMSI numbers of participating boats to broadcast lunch spots or plans, so please include that (if you have one) when contacting Barrie).  We also have a club number – see link for how to register

http://littleshipclub.co.uk/content/club-group-mmsi-number

Notes:

More details about the event are available on the information pack http://www.jclasssolentregatta.com/Solent-Information-Pack.pdf.

The Royal Southampton Yacht Club (RSYC) is also organising viewing from the MV Princess Caroline, but according to their website there are only a few places left on Wednesday and Thursday.

http://www.rsyc.org.uk/club/jclasswatch_css.html

And for a flavour of what you're going to see (perhaps with slightly less blue in the water colour), watch this video of Velsheda and Ranger racing in Newport RI last summer.