National 12 2016 Fixture List launched

National 12 Burton Week at Herne Bay © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Burton Week 2016

The highlight of each year is of course our Burton Week where competitors challenge to be recognised as the top 12 sailor of the year. This year's National Championship will be held at Brightlingsea Sailing Club, who also hosted the event in 2011. The four-day event will take place 20th-23rd August and will include the Burton Cup race. As well as excellent racing, we know Brightlingsea also provide a friendly welcome alongside superb food and drink. There is a campsite next to the club as well as other local accommodation options.

GUL Series 2016

The GUL series consists of 8 unique events across the country. First up the 12s will be visiting Burghfield Sailing Club on 19th March for the sprint champs; this is quick fire racing keeping crews on their toes. Following this, we take a trip to the beautiful Salcombe Estuary over the early May Bank Holiday weekend. From the beaches and pasties of the south west coast we then move up to the east coast. The class will be taking part in the Royal Harwich Yacht Club Regatta 21st-22nd May and will include a Pursuit Race. The pre championships line up finishes at Sunderland Yacht Club 9-10th July. The Saturday sees the 12s racing on the sea, whilst on the Sunday the event is combined with the ANEYC Northern Championships with harbour and river racing.

Our late summer events this year will take place in Solway and Stokes Bay. The idyllic Solway Firth will host the 2016 Scottish Championships on September 17th and 18th whilst the GUL Series visits Stokes Bay Sailing Club for the first time on 24th September. Finally for 2016 we are being welcomed back to Northampton Sailing Club where the Inland Championships will be held on 5th-6th November. The Saturday will be the finale of the GUL Series with the series prize giving after racing to be followed by the club's bonfire night celebrations and firework display.

As any one who has attended a GUL event will know the prizes from our sponsors are simply amazing and we thank them for their continued sponsorship in 2016.

Vintage Championships and Summer Fun

The 2016 Vintage Championships will be once again hosted by Burton Sailing Club. There will be handicap racing for our older boats along with of course the much sought after prize for the best looking craft.

After a successful family focussed 12 Fest in 2015 the younger members of the fleet (both in terms of crafts and crews) will be joining the Vintage boats at Burton to enjoy some coaching, racing and fun in the sun!

In your region...

On top of the Championships and the GUL Series, there are also numerous events taking place at clubs across the country. We have events and prizes to be won in all our regions: Scottish, Northern, Midland, Thames and South West. From week long regattas in Salcombe and North West Norfolk, to one day opens in Hykeham and Olton Mere; from Cramond to Ely and Tynemouth to Twickenham there will be something near you.

Look at all the events on the calendar here.