Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race just days away

Yachts on the start line at the 2012 Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race © Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race

The yachting community is showing its support for the 50th anniversary of the Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race with over 100 yachts already registered to compete on Saturday 29 June.

The race is scheduled to start from St Aubin's Bay at 10.30 a.m. and will see the yachts competing through the 24 miles to Guernsey, followed by a sixties themed 'golden anniversary' marquee party and presentation evening for the skippers and their crews.

The forecast weather conditions look very favourable and a very competitive race is to be expected. Jason Hobbs, commodore of the Guernsey Yacht Club, said: "The wind is predicted to be Force 4 from the North West so yachts will be closed hauled from Corbiere to St. Peter Port and it is unlikely that any boats will hoist spinnakers as these are used for downwind racing.

"The boats with faster, planning hulls will not have the great advantage they have had in some recent years. I'm hoping this will open up the field and some of the more traditional boats will be competitive on handicap."

25 awards are up for grabs this year 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: 'white sails only', more suited to cruising yachts and those who aren't serious racers, and 'first J' for owners of all types of J yacht.

"Carey Olsen can be proud of their sponsorship of the largest yacht race in the Channel Islands. This race is highly anticipated by skippers and their crews and is very well supported across the Channel Islands and we welcome sailors of all abilities to take part," said Mr Hobbs.

Alex Ohlsson, Carey Olsen's managing partner, who will also be a skipper in the race, said: "We have been very keen to mark the 50th anniversary of the race with a large entry list and we are delighted that the sailing community in Jersey, Guernsey and even England have registered in such numbers. The race will involve some 500 people. Some have participated in the inter-island race for many years and one person for as many as 40 years, and a few have even won more than once. The profile of winners and yachts has been varied and it is a great honour for any skipper to win a category".

Late entries may still be submitted but are subject to an additional charge. Entry forms are available from the Guernsey Yacht Club or St Helier Yacht Club, by email at or for download at www.careyolseninterislandyachtrace.com