Offshore Racing in 2011

This year we will continue with the excellent two-handed series of races run by the Royal Southampton YC.  We hope that this will encourage more Contessa sailors to race in this enjoyable series.  You require no extra certification above that needed for the Contessa Inshore Series.  For the RSYC series you will only require a valid class certificate and fulfil the club’s requirements (ORC Cat 4) as we will sail in the club handicap class.

Offshore Races

We have three races; the Weymouth Double Leg 1 and Leg 2 plus the Brixham Double.  In the 40th Anniversary Year we will also include the AZAB race, for which there are some eight Co32’s entered so far.  Run by the Royal Western YC and starting on Saturday 4th June you simply leave Falmouth and head for Ponta Delgarda in the Azores.  The return leg starts on Tuesday 21st June.  A separate trophy will be awarded for this race.

Chaos Trophy Series

Yachts will receive points for each race entered in accordance with the following:-

• “Number of Co32 starters” will be taken as the actual number of Contessa 32's ranking as starters.
• For the four inshore two-handed races, each yacht shall receive the number of points in accordance with RRS Low Point System. There shall be one discard in this series.
• For the three offshore two-handed races yachts shall receive the number of points in accordance RRS Bonus Point System.
• Yachts which retire count points for +1.0 over the number of starters.
• Yachts which do not compete count points for +5.0 over the number of starters.

Entries

Owners should note that entering for the four inshore RSYC races before the 23rd March early deadline can be made for a lower fee.

Offshore and Two-Handed Programme 2011

Notes:

This year’s races, run by the Royal Southampton YC, are sponsored by Molson Coors.  We hope that the shorter offshore races will encourage owners to try them, and for those who find fully-crewed racing difficult, the two-handed aspect means they have only one crew to find.

The season starts with the RSYC Spring Double on 2nd April.  This is a race within the Solent, usually starting around Hillhead, with the aim of giving it a passage race feel.  It should provide an opportunity to blow away the winter cobwebs and see how fast the yacht sails with a clean bottom

The next races are the start of the two offshore races.  This starts on 28th April from Cowes to go to Weymouth.  Given the right conditions it should see you arriving before Friday afternoon in time for some socialising before the return race on Saturday.

The fourth race is the Island Double on 9th July.  This is the major two-handed event on the Solent, regularly attracting over 120 entrants in five closely fought classes.  The course is the same as the fully-crewed race (i.e. from the Squadron start line down to the Needles, back past St. Catherine's, round Bembridge Ledge and then through the Forts to the finish line at Cowes).  After the finish there is usually a convivial get-together with all the other competitors at the Royal Yacht Squadron.  The Gualin Rose Bowl is awarded for this race.  If you already have a shelf full of ISC RtI pewter mugs, by completing this race you can start collecting the engraved glasses which are awarded for this one.

The next race is the Brixham Double.  It starts on the evening of Friday 26th August to allow a finish early on the Sunday.

The penultimate race is the Nab Double.  From a start in the central Solent the course goes out to the Nab Tower and back, plus some additional marks depending on conditions, and offering the opportunity of a shy reach on both legs if the wind is SW'erly. It is on Saturday 17th September.  This is same week-end as the Nationals (again) but the one discard allowed for the series should allow boats to go to the Royal Solent YC without penalty

The last race is the Autumn Double on 8th October.  Again a round the cans race within the Solent to end the season.  The main two-handed prize-giving takes place at Ocean Village on 29th October.

The Royal Southampton Double-Handed series are the premier series of such races in the UK.  They are a very friendly series of races, with much help given to competitors in terms of giving courses over the radio, allowing use of self-steering devices, etc.  Many of the yachts use roller genoas. Sailing conservatively can often pay dividends as sail changes with just two crew can lose vital minutes and places.  The Contessa 32 has done well in the past as you do not need a crew of gorillas on the rail to keep them upright.

For the RSYC Inshore Series the Contessas will probably race in Class 4, which requires no IRC certificate but only a valid class certificate.  Of course if we have a sufficient number of entries then we could be given a separate start of our own; if you are thinking of entering then please let me know in advance and I will negotiate with the club.  

After each of the two-handed races competitors are invited back to the Royal Southampton clubhouse at Ocean Village in the evening for a brief prize-giving.  Meals are available at the bar and a good evening can be guaranteed.  For those yachts not based in Southampton or not wishing to sail up to Ocean Village getting a taxi from the Hamble to the clubhouse is a good alternative option

I hope that this programme will encourage you to join in the fun.

 Robin Wills
Offshore Representative