Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta 2020 cancelled
by Oliver Dewar 17 May 2020 21:29 BST
2019 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta © Paul Brown
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the South Coast's most popular yacht club regatta has been cancelled this year, but dates are already set for the event's return on 16th-18th July 2021.
"It is with great regret that the Flag Officers and General Committee of the Royal Solent Yacht Club have agreed that the 2020 Taittinger RSYC Regatta must be cancelled," confirmed the club's Commodore, Anne Kyle, on Friday (15/05/20) from the RSYC's base in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight.
Following record competitor numbers and highly-encouraging feedback at the 2019 regatta, cancelling this popular event - scheduled for 17th-19th July this year - was a supremely tough call: "We have taken this difficult decision after much deliberation and consultation with our sponsors - Champagne Taittinger supported by River Yar Boatyard and Wight Marine," Anne Kyle continues. "After a thorough evaluation, the RSYC believes that this is the right decision for our members, staff, competitors and volunteers."
At the 2019 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta, 214 competing boats and around 1,500 racing crew and shore-based friends and family filled Yarmouth: "Our regatta is a unique event," explains the RSYC's Commodore. "It is not all about the racing; it is the weekend as a whole, the entertainment, the gathering in the harbour and general social interaction and, therefore, very little would be possible under the current Covid-19 restrictions," she confirms.
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all our past competitors for their support over the last 12 years and to assure you the regatta will be back and we very much look forward to seeing you once again," says Anne Kyle. "In the meantime, once current restrictions are eased, albeit with social distancing, we hope you will at least be able to visit the RSYC this summer."