HYS Hamble Winter Series 2020 - Entries invited from Double Handers
by Trevor Pountain 27 Aug 2020 09:51 BST
4 October - 29 November 2020
Sea Bear, Sunfast 3300 © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
With sailing in the Solent gradually returning to the "new normal", plans for the 2020 HYS Hamble Winter Series are now well advanced.
In view of the current situation the event will make a number of changes to comply with Covid 19 regulations and recommendations. Perhaps the most positive change is that for the first time, the series will welcome entries from the ever increasing number of Double Handed Teams. They will race alongside the multi-crewed IRC rated boats. It could be said that in the Winter Series' 39th year - it is about time!
The main HYS Hamble Winter Series runs for eight Sundays from 4th October to the 29th November. November 1st is the mid series break, traditionally for oyster fishing and Christmas shopping. Although the oysters have long since disappeared, competitors will still have a whole day for the online shopping experience.
This year to help mitigate the Covid situation, there will be only one race a day right through the main series. The course and the course legs will however, be longer and the Committee Vessel will be working with a very small socially distanced team. Where possible, the fixed Solent marks will be used. There are quite a few of them. I'm sure competitors will understand this.
With regard to multi-crewed boats, the HYS Hamble Winter Series will follow current best practice at the time. Right now most clubs and organisations are using the 2/3rd IRC to a max of 6 rules. However, we note that some events scheduled for September are going to 80%. The HWS Team are also aware that with winter approaching the situation may change adversely.
The Hamble IRC Autumn Regatta will take place on Race Week 3, 17th/18th October. Teams entering the whole main series will get the extra Saturday's racing free.
The Performance 40 fleet will have the Saturday and Sunday of the first weekend and also the third weekend as two of their rescheduled events.
The Hamble One Design Championship for J70s and SB20s is scheduled for Race Week 2 and Race Week 4. We are working closely with the class associations to provide as normal as possible racing for these two popular fleets.
Entry fees for the series will be approximately two thirds lower than last year and online entries are expected to go live in the first week of September.
For up-to-date information and online entry, when live, go to www.hamblewinterseries.com