Six Bells Sailing Club announce Sportsboat Regatta and Pursuit Race

The Six Bells Sailing Club Sportsboat Regatta and Pursuit Race will be held on 26-27 July 2014 © Six Bells Sailing Club

There has been great interest in Sportsboat racing in the last few seasons, with the development and promotion of various sportsboat classes, all offering high performance, fun racing with the stability of a keel.

The 2014 Sportsboat Regatta is open to all boats up to 8 metres, with a keel, forward launching pole and asymmetric spinnaker. The regatta will promote the growth of these thrilling small yachts that benefit from small crew numbers and low running costs. The format is to provide racing under the IRC rating system.

Entries are expected from a number of classes, including the Viper 640, VX One, SB20, J70, K6, 1720 and Melges 20/Melges 24. The event offers a fantastic opportunity to race against similar sportsboats. Some yachts are expected to arrive by trailer and others by sea from local clubs, hence the format for Sunday, when the Pursuit Race will allow for yachts to sail back to their bases.

The programme starts with a practice race on Friday afternoon, 25th July. Saturday's programme will comprise of a number of windward - leeward races based in the Western Solent followed by an EFG prize giving at the Mayflower Public House, right alongside the Lymington pontoons.

Prizes have been donated by sponsors EFG Private Bankers, who support numerous international yachting events. The winner of each Class (with four or more boats) will receive a bottle of vintage champagne and the overall winner will receive a corporate hospitality day with EFG Private Bankers. They will have the opportunity to choose from an exciting selection of motor racing, classic car, polo, music or many other special events. A further prize may be presented to the overall winner under Portsmouth Yardstick handicap.

Sunday's race is planned to be a longer Pursuit Race around the Western Solent with the slowest boats (on handicap) starting first and the fastest last. The first across the finish line after the time limit will be the winner, and a bottle of rum and other prizes, courtesy of the sponsor, will be handed out as the yachts cross the line.

Lymington is the ideal venue for the Sportsboat fleet, with easy slipway launching or via a number of crane facilities close by. Berthing is available for visitors who wish to stay overnight, either at the Harbour Masters' 'Dan Bran' pontoon, or with the two river marinas. Clubs, pubs and copious accommodation is available within walking distance of the marinas and yachting is supported by a number of local chandleries and sailmakers.

Michael Beggs, 6BSC event organiser, stated: "The Lymington Sportsboat Regatta provides an exciting opportunity for sportsboat owners to compete together, especially as it offers practice before Cowes Week. The aim is to make this an annual event and we are really pleased to have EFG Private Banking backing this first UK event, providing a great selection of prizes. It should be fun on the water and onshore!".

View more information visit www.sixbellssc.co.uk