The Classics are coming!
by Nessa Weedon-Jones 13 Aug 2013 08:17 BST
24-26 August 2013
The Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association's National Rally takes place at Hunts over the August Bank Holiday © Gair Matthews
This August Bank Holiday weekend sees Hunts Sailing Club play host to the Classic and Vintage Racing Dinghy Association's National Rally, effectively the 'Nationals' for all Vintage, Classic or simply 'older' boats. This latter category means all boats designed before 1965 and built before 1985, allowing in popular 'club classics' such as the Solo, Enterprise, GP14, Firefly and many more, racing under a handicap system that allows for age and alterations.
This three day festival of all things wooden, sometimes slightly weird,but also well looked after and always wonderful, is the biggest Open event of the year for Hunts, chosen as the venue because of the Cambridgeshire club's ability to field a great 'home' entry, as well as the legendary Hunts hospitality. This event also includes the Vintage Merlins as part of their de May series on the Sunday, plus the Minisail Class Nationals.
'Lost' classes are also welcome - this includes all the unusual and idiosyncratic designs that shone briefly but never caught on - to check eligibility please see www.cvrda.org.
This year the event kicks off with a series of short, sharp fun 'Meddle races' where competitors can fine tune and fiddle with their boats before competition starts in earnest on the Sunday when there will be three handicap races, followed by a non-discardable pursuit on Monday. Alongside the on the water action there will be some great socials, including a barbecue, class dinner and prize giving picnic, plus of course a concourse competition where age matters just as much as beauty!
All in all the weekend promises friendly racing and great fun. To find out more, see www.cvrda.org or www.huntssc.org