Torbay Week 2009 announced

The Torbay Week 2009 will take place from August 21 to 26. The combined regatta for yachts, sportsboats, dayboats and dinghies follows on from last year’s hugely successful event – the first time Torbay Week had been held.

Plans are taking shape and several sailing classes are in discussions with the management committee to integrate their championships into the regatta and the event is set to have even more competitors and entries.

And entry fees have been held at last year’s low levels, making Torbay Week one of the cheapest of the big regattas regattas to enter and enjoy.

This year racing will again take place over six days, starting on Friday August 21 with the annual RNLI pursuit race. A four-day yachting championship and special races, including corporate and team events, including the popular pursuit races will follow with the regatta concluding with the much-loved Passage Race to Dartmouth. Social events will take place at the Bay’s four yacht and sailing clubs each night and great racing is promised.

Free berthing will again be provided at town moorings in Brixham and Torquay together with free launching for dinghies taking part, sponsored by Tor Bay Harbour Authority.

Torbay Week director, Tim Whitehead, said: “We were all – competitors and organisers alike - tremendously pleased with last year. There was some great racing, fantastic competition and a very good atmosphere in the club houses each night. The four clubs working together has produced a very significant event for the south coast.

“The formula of a Torbay Week championship was very popular and competitors also loved the special races.

“We’re going to build on this successful formula and provide competitors with an even better regatta this year with an increased number of shorter races for most fleets, using the Bays fantastic waters to the full.

“We’re very grateful to all everyone who helped out last year and everyone who is giving their time to ensure this year’s event is a success.”

Torbay Week is run by the Torbay Week Management Group for Babbacombe Corinthian SC, Brixham YC, Paignton SC, Royal Torbay YC and the formula proved highly successful with Paignton and Babbacombe running the dinghy events from Paignton’s harbour and green and Brixham and Royal Torbay running the yacht and sportsboat racing.

Around 200 boats and 700 competitors took part in 2008. The event is supported by the English Riviera Tourist Board and Tor Bay Harbour Authority.

More information on the Torbay Week website.