London Boat Show pursuit race 2009

The Yachts & Yachting 'Battle of the Classes' pursuit race is only a few days away, and we are able to reveal the entry list (below). Sadly the organisers, British Sailing, had to limit the numbers as the event was over-subscribed. Race officer Edwin Buckley, who runs the Endeavor Trophy at Royal Corinthian YC, has finalised the sailing instructions (competitors may download this as a Word DOC file, and also note the start time offsets for each class).

If you visit the show on Sunday 18th, there are several places to view the racing from. ExCeL has an upper room available for a great view (room 20, South hall balcony), or you can brave the cold on the dockside or bridge. Enjoy this rare opportunity to watch top sailors up close, and cheer loudly for your class! The prizegiving will be on the main stage inside ExCel at 4:30pm.

Many of the helms and crews on this list have great pedigrees, such as Tom Jeffcoate and Steve Cockerill, who have won far too many national championships between them! However, it may be prudent to watch Andy Couch (Phantom) who won this event last year, and is fresh from winning the Bloody Mary.

Please spare a thought for Rob Wilson and Marcus Lynch (both former Skandia Team GBR sailors) who are sailing a Formula 18 catamaran...a boat not ideally suited to a narrow stretch of river. These guys are good, but may struggle on the downwind legs as the wind tends to funnel down the dock, leaving no room for gybing. They are joined by Luke Yeates in his Hobie Tiger, a combination that holds the speed record for sailing a Tiger around Britain.

The youth are represented by 2 entries in each of the Cadet, Mirror and RS Feva classes. There is an Under 18 trophy, as well as prizes for the winning boat and winning class (combined positions of 2 boats).

Entry list