2009 Felixstowe Regatta gathering pace

Organisers of the Felixstowe Regatta are confident that this year’s event will be better than ever, with the announcement that four race sponsors have come on board, and the confirmation that the 2009 programme will also include entries from two 12m ex-America’s Cup yachts; Crusader and Italia.

Moved from the traditional May Bank Holiday weekend slot to try and combat previous issues with the weather, the Regatta will now take place from 10 to 12 July 2009 in the waters of Dovercourt Bay, just off Felixstowe and Harwich.

Local businesses Firdell Radar Reflectors, Fox’s Chandlery and Outdoor, Fox’s Marina and Boatyard, and RIBshare have all agreed to sponsor races in the Regatta, and Raymarine have agreed to donate merchandise as prizes to be given away to the competitors.

Sponsored by the Haven Gateway Partnership, the Felixstowe Regatta attracts entries from around the UK and Europe, including yachts from Holland, Belgium and France. In addition the Regatta will be hosting the IRC 2009 East Coast Championships.

Nigel Mower, Chairman of the Felixstowe Regatta Organising Committee commented: “We are delighted to have Firdell Radar Reflectors, Fox’s Chandlery and Outdoor, Fox’s Marina and Boatyard, and RIBshare on board as race sponsors, and of course the Haven Gateway Partnership as our official sponsor. Hopefully we will have negated the weather issues which have plagued us for the past two years, and the sun will shine making for a fantastic event.”

David Ralph, chief executive of the Haven Gateway Partnership, said: “The Haven Gateway Partnership is delighted to be sponsoring the Felixstowe Regatta for a second year, and I look forward to dryer but equally competitive racing this year.”

The IRC regatta programme will include two races on Friday afternoon, two races on the Saturday and one race on the Sunday, with four to count. Prize giving will follow each day’s racing in the marquee. There will also be one race each day for locally handicapped cruising and classic yachts.

In addition to the racing, there is also an extensive social programme attached to the Regatta, with food, drink, and live entertainment in the evenings.

There is still plenty of time for additional entries, and anyone interested in taking part should contact the Organising Committee Chairman, or go to the Regatta website at www.felixstoweregatta.co.uk . The handbook will be available from late March.

The Felixstowe Regatta is being organised voluntarily on a not-for-profit basis by representatives from five local yacht clubs: Haven Ports Yacht Club, Royal Harwich Yacht Club, Walton & Frinton Yacht Club, Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club, and Waldringfield Sailing Club.

Haven Gateway Partnership promotes economic opportunities on behalf of business around the five Haven ports of Felixstowe, Harwich International, Harwich Navyard, Ipswich and Mistley, which represent the single most important cluster of ports in the UK.

For further information visit www.felixstoweregatta.co.uk