Entries open for the 18th Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta
Classic yacht racing regatta from Levington, Suffolk. Image: Emily Harris
Suffolk Yacht Harbour, located on the River Orwell, Suffolk, has announced entries are now open for its 2019 Classic Regatta. Taking place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd June, the annual regatta is the largest event of its kind for classic yachts on the east coast.
The popular regatta attracts a fleet of both local and visiting sailors, and welcomes everyone from keen racers to social sailors to compete in the fast, slow and Stella classes. Racing will take place over two days in Dovercourt Bay, Harwich Harbour, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries. On-the-water action will be complemented by socialising in the onsite Haven Ports Yacht Club lightship, with a regatta party and live band on Saturday evening.
Winner of the 2018 regatta and Stella owner, Andrew Gilmour, commented: “We have raced in seven of these regattas, having had the boat restored by Suffolk Yacht Harbour. They were amazing in helping to return my father’s Stella to its original glory.
“The really nice thing about this event is that it is very well organised, the people are lovely and so is the place; the east coast is a wonderful venue for sailing.”
Regular competitor and Tumlare owner, Jonathan Thompson, added: “Everybody gets on very well, there’s a lot of banter and it seems that we always get good weather and good racing. It’s the best event of the year for me.”
Image credit Gill Moon
SYH Managing Director, Jonathan Dyke, said: “SYH has a long association with classic yachts, going right back to Stella designer and Kim Holman (one of SYH’s original founding directors). With classic yacht maintenance facilities in the workshops and the Classic Marine chandlery onsite, we are well-equipped to assist classic yacht owners in the lead up to, during and after the regatta.”
Entry criteria for the regatta requires yachts to be either pre-1970 design of traditional construction, Bermuda or gaff rigged, and built of wood or steel. Modern classic yachts with wooden or steel hulls are also welcome. Contact enquiries@syharbour.co.uk for further details.
