Only five weeks until the first JOG race of 2016

JOG open their 2016 race season with the traditional dash across the Channel to Cherbourg on Good Friday, 25th March. Open to fully crewed or double-handed entries in IRC Classes 3, 4, 5 & 6 it's the perfect way to blow away the winter lay-up cobwebs and get the sailing season underway.

Class bands (based on IRC rating) have been adjusted slightly for 2016 and are as follows:

• Class 3: 1.037 -1.200
• Class 4: 0.990-1.036
• Class 5: 0.935 -0.989
• Class 6: 0.934 (no lower limit)

JOG are running a full race programme of 17 races in 2016 split across inshore/coastal passage races & longer offshore/cross-Channel races. In addition to the usual south coast and Channel ports, a new destination is on the calendar in the offshore programme:

The JOG 65th Anniversary Roscoff Race (supported by Clanfield Properties) will start early on Saturday 28th May and will be followed up by two "JOG on just for fun" races to make the trip home more interesting for those who want to extend their bank holiday weekend, taking in Treguier & St Peter Port.

All races are open to non-members and members alike, so come along, compete in the inshore or offshore race series or just pick and choose...it's up to you. With inshore race fees starting from as little as £23 for Class 6 members on some inshore races, JOG provides a highly approachable way to start racing if you haven't before.

There's always plenty of helpful advice & tips available from experienced skippers and crews in the bar after a race. (Note race entry costs 50% more for non-members, but with annual racing membership costing as little as £35, membership pays for itself in very few races).

Entry Forms, full race programme & crew available/boats looking for crew information all now available online at www.jog.org.uk