Great British Sailing Challenge

Keelboats are not my area of expertise but doesn't "First in class" mean the same as "first Merlin" or "first Moth"? I'm guessing the dinghy equivalent is dev classes built to a rule. Sure there is 'one design' racing too but as a percentage of boats on the line I suspect it's very much the minority. 

you would think someone only had to turn up in a Oppi and win because of PY, whoever wins these events will be a name.

I've often thought a National Series for single handers banded in groups of similar handicaps would be good.

I've not done one of the Sailjuice events so can't really comment, but the handicap event I have done a couple of times round Sheppy is quite fun, I missed it again this year, they don't publicise it that well.

I agree with TT the title is preteniously lame it's hardly great or a challenge.

Having said that if one surfaces near me in the summer and I get to hear about it in time I might give one a look.

I think if people really did sail at these events through the summer, might they all just migrate toward a consolidation of classes? I mean, if you're not holding out for class racing in the summer, why not buy the best performing cheapest boat out of the selection you see before you? It seems these events are probably the most threat toward small class with 10 boat open meetings and 20 boat nationals. If it kills off those small class events then there could well be a consolidation. 

I guess its a signifier of consolidation - one which drive further consideration if club membership becomes something no longer valued.... and let's be honest, most people utilise clubs for cheap real estate for their boats rather than the racing judging by the series turnouts on their publicly available results archives.