Medway promises a marathon of a Sailjuice challenge
by Andy Rice 5 Jun 2021 11:20 BST
19 June 2021
The Medway Marathon © Tim Townsend
Most events in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series are fast and frantic spins around a hectic short course, so the inclusion of the Medway Marathon is a 26-mile long distance departure from the norm.
Taking place on the Medway River on Saturday 19 June, the Marathon has been hosted by Medway Yacht Club for many years and attracts all kinds of monohull sailing craft to the east coast venue. Dinghies with a Great Lakes handicap PY of 1315 or less are eligible to compete alongside the local keelboat fleets of International Dragons, National Sonatas and National Squibs. The event is not open to kiteboards, sailboards, multihulls or foiling boats.
For the under-23s, the 13-mile Half Marathon is a shorter option, although challenging nevertheless.
Local sailor Graeme Oliver won the Medway Marathon crewing for Andy Peake in an International 14 back in 2016. "It was 12-18kts of breeze, absolute sailing heaven, flat water, loads of corners with a big emphasis on crew work and reading the changing conditions as you go in and out of the creeks." The year after that Peake won in a Musto Skiff, but the following year was dominated by Wayfarers taking the top four places.
"The race is run by a great club and literally any class can win, the course tests every part of the angles of sail which doesn't give a huge advantage to any particular boat, it's also a great tactical challenge as the tide plays a big part in getting the best out of the course. Once you've tried it you'll come back every year!"
The Medway Marathon is a very recent addition to the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series which has been extended from last winter through to the final event which is the rescheduled Tiger Trophy, due to take place at Rutland Water on the final weekend of August.
To enter the Medway Marathon (or the Half Marathon if you're under-23) and compete in an event that's very different to your average open meeting, go here: sailjuiceseries.com
Events in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2020/21:
Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water SC, 6-7 December 2020
Grafham Belle, Grafham Water SC, 29-30 May 2021
Medway Marathon, Medway YC, 19 June 2021
Bala Long Distance, Bala SC, 10-11 July 2021
Tiger Trophy, Rutland Water SC, 28-29 August 2021