A welcome return to a full programme for the 2022 Taittinger RSYC Regatta
by Oliver Dewar 22 Apr 2022 06:42 BST
22-24 July 2022
Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta © Jake Sugden
Online entry for the 2022 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta (Friday 22 - Sunday 24 July) is now open and competitors are already rushing to apply for the early bird discount available until midnight 1st June. Last year, 208 boats entered this fun and friendly sailing event and interest in this year's Yarmouth-based regatta is already proving to be keen.
As one of the South Coast's most popular regattas, the Royal Solent and Champagne Taittinger are always looking to deliver the best event possible both ashore and afloat. This year sees the welcome return of the opening Champagne Reception and also the outstanding Towers Party on Saturday night.
The regatta's title sponsor, Champagne Taittinger, remains firmly embedded: 'We are delighted that the Royal Solent is able to host the 14th annual Taittinger Regatta this year, and in particular the Champagne Reception on Friday evening,' confirms Taittinger's Emily Reay. 'Everyone is looking forward to welcoming both new and returning boats to Yarmouth for a competitive and thrilling weekend of racing alongside the popular onshore events. May we have perfect conditions for sailing and for friends to raise a glass of Taittinger together.'
The significance of the Champagne Reception as a chance for all competitors to meet as they have done at previous regattas, resonates with the event's supporting sponsor, River Yar Boatyard & Wight Marine: 'Last year's regatta was a fantastic weekend,' says Jen Allen of this established, local marine business. 'We hope this year will be even better with more competition, more wind, and, of course, a welcome return of the Champagne Reception.'
While the shore-based social schedule is a time-tested, winning formula, the event's offshore activity continues to evolve. With over 200 boats competing in the regatta's traditionally inclusive fleet, entries are welcome from IRC; IRC Swan; IRC Classic Cruiser; Contessa 32; Folkboat; J's 24-70-80-104-105-109-111; P40; VX10; Sonata; Sigma 38; SB20, XOD & YOD.
This year, Simon Van der Byl has been recruited by Regatta CRO, Jeremy Willcock to join Black Group's Committee Boat where depth, tide and twitchy wind direction off the Mainland shore is a supreme challenge. Van der Byl has juggled national and regional race management alongside Cowes Week for many years and is a great asset to the regatta team.
Supporting the regatta race management team for a second year, innovative tech communications company aql is now part of the event's backbone. 'Our founding vision is to use technology to automate difficult or time consuming processes,' confirms Professor Adam Beaumont, the company's Chairman. 'Race declarations is one such area. We're very happy to support the Taittinger RSYC Regatta with our interactive SMS messaging service and look forward to working with them more in the future.'
Once again, the Taittinger RSYC Regatta will include a holiday prize of a stay at Austria's luxury Edelweiss & Gurgl Hotel. Last year, Rob Bottomley, skipper of Mills 41 Sailpane and overall winner of IRC 1, won the 7-night stay in the hotel's 1889 Panorama Suite. 'It was a fabulous hotel and a very original concept to win a holiday as a prize, it made a great change,' says Bottomley.
Michael Anfang of the Edelweiss & Gurgl Hotel neatly identifies the connection between powder and pointing: 'We are particularly pleased that we can support the regatta again. We are all united by the beauty of nature and mastering the challenges of sport, but also the enjoyment after a successful day and a good time with friends unites us.'
Champagne Taittinger, the Royal Solent Yacht Club and the event's supporters look forward to seeing you in July.
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