Yachtmaster Insurance 60th Three Rivers Race - Preview

The Yachtmaster Insurance 60th Three Rivers Race will take place this weekend © Holly Hancock

After a year's delay due to the global pandemic, the Yachtmaster Insurance 60th Three Rivers Race will take place tomorrow, Saturday 5th June 2021, hosted by Horning Sailing Club, with around 100 competitors expected to participate.

Many sailors will be familiar with the Three Rivers Race, owing to its reputation for being one of the toughest inland sailing races in Europe (named as one of the top 10 mass participation events by the Sport and Recreation Alliance in 2013!). Competitors start from Horning Sailing Club, situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Horning, to race through the winding rivers of the Broads to four turning points on the 50+ mile course, which can be sailed in any order, dependent on tides and wind conditions (the decision being a tactical one, which can make or break the race). The turning points include Ludham Bridge on the River Ant, South Walsham on the River Bure, under Acle Bridge to a turning point usually between Stokesby and the Stracey Arms Windpump, and under Potter Heigham Bridge on the River Thurne to Hickling Broad.

Amongst the competitors are nine Yeomans, ten Wayfarers, fourteen traditional Norfolk Punts, three Thames A Raters with their towering rigs, and over forty river and production cruisers.

For many, the Three Rivers Race is the highlight of the year's racing calendar, and will particularly be so after a difficult year. Competitors will be hoping for fair winds and warm weather to blow them around the course - good luck to them all! The action starts tomorrow morning at 11am from Horning Sailing Club.

The Yachtmaster Insurance 60th Three Rivers Race will take place this weekend - photo © Holly Hancock