Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race 2013 - Preview
by Chris Chilton 17 Jun 2013 19:27 BST
29 June 2013
Sailing enthusiasts prepare for biggest race of the year
With only two weeks to go until the Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race, final preparations are underway as many of the island's sailors get ready for the biggest race of the year.
Scheduled to start in Jersey at 11.30 a.m. on Saturday 29 June, the race will see a fleet of around 100 yachts race along Jersey's coast to Corbiere before crossing to Guernsey and the finish line at Castle Cornet in St Peter Port.
Jason Hobbs, commodore of the Guernsey Yacht Club said: "The Inter-Island Yacht Race is always immensely popular and for the 50th anniversary, we're expecting at least 100 boats to take part. With the deadline approaching for entries, we're reminding anyone with an interest in entering to get their registration form in so they won't miss out on this historic race."
The race awards cover a number of different categories including; the overall race winner, first bilge keel, first Melges 24, first Beneteau, first quarter tonner, first family boat and first young skipper. There are two new categories this year: 'first white sail', more suited to cruising yachts and those who aren't serious racers, and 'first J boat' for owners of all types of J yacht.
Jim Nicolle has taken part in the Inter-Island Yacht Race 39 times and said: "I'm hoping for a reasonable amount of wind. Coming from Jersey to Guernsey you need to be the right side when the tide turns or you can get held up. On one race the winds were very light and we'd been racing for nine hours only to stall a mile from the line. We ran out of time to finish that year."
Alex Ohlsson, the managing partner of Carey Olsen, who are the sponsors said: "This is the most prestigious race in the Channel Islands yachting calendar and it is particularly special that this year we are celebrating its 50th anniversary. We would encourage any keen sailors to be part of the event which will culminate in a special themed awards evening for all crews in Guernsey. With 25 prize categories there is something for everyone to compete for, but above all it will be an historic occasion and great to be part of."
Entry forms should be submitted by Saturday 22 June and are available from the Guernsey Yacht Club or St Helier Yacht Club, or by email at or for download at www.careyolseninterislandyachtrace.com