Garmin Hamble Winter Series - Preview
by Peter Ireland 25 Aug 2014 15:08 BST
4 October - 30 November 2014
Global leader in satellite navigation, Garmin has announced a multi-year sponsorship commitment with Hamble River Sailing Club (HRSC) to remain as the title sponsor of the Garmin Hamble Winter Series. This support from Garmin, which has its European headquarters at Southampton, reflects the event's popularity as the UK's premier winter racing event. In 2013, the series saw an increase in entries with more than 160 yachts taking part.
The Garmin Hamble Winter Series and its associated events attracts racing yachts across IRC 0-5 classes, J/111, Farr 45, J/109 and Sigma 38 as well as one design classes, including J/80s, J/70s and SB20s.
The 2014 event – which is the 33rd Hamble Winter Series - runs from 4 October – 30 November, with two races a day in the first half of the Series and one long race a day once the clocks change. The Series also has two consecutive events, the Hamble One Design Championships, a 10-race series across two weekends and the Hamble Big Boat Championships, a 12-race grand prix event across two weekends for Farr 45s and J/111s racing one design and IRC boats above 1.040 TCF.
Chrissy Winchcombe, Marketing Executive at Garmin, said: "Garmin has enjoyed 10 years' successful sponsorship of the Hamble Winter Series and uses the event to test and promote Garmin marine products. A multi-year commitment to the Hamble Winter Series enables us to partner both the event and Hamble River Sailing Club all year round, and drive deeper engagement with buyers of our leading marine products through this fantastic event and at the Club."
Trevor Pountain, Commodore, HRSC, said: "We are delighted to welcome title sponsor Garmin back for a 10th year and look forward to working with them to enhance our partnership throughout 2014 and the years ahead. HRSC is very proud to run the Hamble Winter Series, which offers great racing afloat and a warm welcome back at the Clubhouse. We are consistently recognised for our great race management and work hard to ensure the event goes from strength to strength."
For the first time in 2014, the mid series break weekend of 1st and 2nd November has been designated as a spare weekend.
Trevor explained: "Last year, some appalling weather conditions meant we couldn't race over one of the Hamble One Design Championship weekends. This was the first time we'd lost two consecutive days racing, so by having a 'spare weekend' in the 2014 series, we give ourselves the option of re-scheduling racing if the weather conspires against us."
Planning for the 2014 event is in its advanced stages and all documentation for the event will be available from the event website at www.hamblewinterseries.com
Early entry discount for the Hamble Winter Series closes on 19th September 2014.