Haven Gateway sponsored Felixstowe Regatta
by Helen Sharkey 17 Jul 2009 17:27 BST
10-12 July 2009
One of the best yet
Over 45 boats from across the UK and Europe arrived in Suffolk this weekend (10-12 July) for the 2009 Felixstowe Regatta, sponsored by the Haven Gateway Partnership.
The Regatta was moved from its traditional end of May slot to try and ensure better weather, and sailors were not disappointed. Yachts took part in two races on Friday, two on Saturday and one on Sunday in the waters off Dovercourt Bay. Participants then enjoyed a full programme of shore-side events, including dinners, entertainment, hospitality and prize-giving ceremonies.
As an added incentive to racers, the Regatta was used as the IRC East Coast Championship for 2009, with local yacht Fatjax coming out as the overall winner. Haven Ports Yacht Club, based in Levington, were the winners of the team trophy.
One of the highlights of the Regatta was the inclusion of two 12m yachts, Crusader and Italia who took part in a series of races to decide the overall winner, with Crusader coming out on top, winning 6 out of the 9 races.
Nigel Mower, Chairman of the Regatta organising committee, commented: “This has been one of the best Regatta’s yet. The weather was great which led to some fantastic competitive sailing from all of the yachts involved. It was a great way to showcase what great sailing waters and facilities we have in the region. We are once again grateful to the Haven Gateway Partnership for helping us to continue this great event.”
The Haven Gateway Partnership has pledged to sponsor the Felixstowe Regatta in 2010, in an agreement that will once again highlight the importance of the area’s marine and leisure industry.
“Our sponsorship of the Felixstowe Regatta this year and also in 2010 will highlight the marine leisure sector within the Haven Gateway,” says Richard Morton, project director at the Haven Gateway Partnership. “The marine leisure sector is worth £85 million a year and employs 1,800 people in the sub-region.
“We believe that supporting events like the Felixstowe Regatta will help promote the Haven Gateway not only as an excellent cluster of maritime and marine leisure services but also as a destination for visiting yachtsmen and women.
“We have over 10,000 leisure berths and river moorings in the Haven Gateway sub-region and we feel this is a great opportunity to tell people about the wonderful sailing that is available here.”