Probably the longest established long distance race in the country, since 1987 the East Coast Piers Race has attracted top continental sailors, and development classes, along with the cream of big cat sailors. However, the East Coast Piers Race isn't just for big cats - a shorter, but no less demanding course (known as The Colne Point Race) is always available for smaller cats.

The Marconi team have the organisation down to a fine art - with a spacious marquee, a huge grassy boat park in which to camp and park, intimate little bar, and excellent race organisation.

The course is marked with cruiser "mother ships" flying orange flags, and quite easy for first timers. It is a challenge, but a manageable one.

You sail from the start of Osea Pier, down the Blackwater Estuary to Bradwell, across the Estuary, and then along the coast passing Clacton Pier and turning at Walton Pier.

This year we have opened the Colne Point race up to fast monohulls with a PY of 917 or faster.

The event is being held on the 14th and 15th July.

http://www.eastcoastpiersrace.com/ - www.eastcoastpiersrace.com

There  will be little point to enter the Colne Point race, if us cats are racing against half-boats on P.Y. numbers. The RYA have made sure of that, its one of the tactics to stop the develoment of cats sailing in the U.K. Didn't you know!