Chichester Harbour Race Week – the latest news

Fireball racing in Fed Week 2014 © Liz Saques

As on-line entries build for Chichester Harbour Race Week 2015, August 17-21, there's great enthusiasm from a classic Harbour dinghy class. Enough Fireballs – a class which is staging a big revival at Race Week host club Hayling Island SC – are signed up to have separate prizes. Just two more entrants are needed by August 10 for Fireballs to have their own start.

There is plenty of other news about the event – renamed from Fed Week to make it better understood among the dinghy racing community across southern England and beyond.

Three new, highly-experienced race officers are on board, due mainly to regular ROs' commitment to the Flying 15 worlds.

Tim Hancock, Finn and Star RO at 2012 London Olympics and world, European and national dinghy and keelboat champion, will be in charge of the fast boats in Series A. For Series B, where the usual large numbers of RS200s, Solos, RS Fevas and more are expected, the RO will be Nick Colbourne, who is Harbour-based and well used to both running big dinghy events and competing in them. In charge of the youngsters in Series C will be Ian Grant, who has more than 30 years experience on the Fed Week race team and currently accompanies his eldest grandson to youth squad events.

There's a new spot prize sponsor for 2015. ABC Marine will give two £25 vouchers each day. Handicap fleets this year will use Portsmouth Yardstick numbers rather than the HISC adaptations. A small revision to the initially published ranges puts the medium handicap (Series B) fleet at PY 1030-1242 and fast handicap (Series A) at PY 1029 and below. This means RS Aero 9s will race with Aeros 7 and 5 and Devoti Zeros.

A historic visitor during the week will be Terror, the restored Emsworth oyster boat, evoking a major industry in Chichester Harbour's history.

As always the event will be run by a team of 120-plus volunteers from member clubs of the Chichester Harbour Federation. There will be separate courses for Series A and B in the wide but comparatively sheltered waters near the Harbour mouth. A single long race each day is scheduled for entrants here. Shorter races – but more of them – will be run on a smaller course for Series C.

Inter-club trophies will be awarded for the best adult and junior teams.

And the club balcony, bar and beach, plus all the attractions around the Harbour, mean non-sailing family and friends can also have a great time.

Competitors need to race on at least three days for a chance to win coveted Federation plates, but those with less time to sail can enter at daily rates and enjoy the special Race Week experience.

On-line entries are open at chichesterharbourraceweek.sailevent.net, the week's dedicated website, where there is loads more information. Entries will also be taken at Hayling Island SC on the afternoon of August 16, and throughout the week.

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