30 classes and building for the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash

by Andy Rice 10 Nov 20:07 GMT 20-21 November 2021

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

One of the biggest attractions of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series is that if you've got a dinghy, chances are it will be welcome to compete. Already more than 30 different classes have entered the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash...

Entries for the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash close this Sunday, so if you've got a half a mind to take part in the opening event of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series, then it's time to get your skates on and get entered ASAP. The event takes place over the weekend of 20 & 21 November 2021.

Online entry is at www.sailjuiceseries.com

Almost 60 boats have entered up to now, representing 30 different classes. Among those already signed up are 505 National and European Champions Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane who are up against some formidably talent in the Five-Ohs including former winner of the SailJuice Winter Series and a champion in the Solo and RS400 classes, Michael Sims, crewed by Oliver Davenport. Another to watch is past 420 World Champion and 470 Olympic campaigner Steve Irish who with crew Norman Byrd knows every corner and subtlety of Draycote Water.

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

There are many different breeds of singlehander lining up including a good gathering of Hadron H2s and Phantoms including seven-tome Phantom national champion Andy Couch. In the RS Aeros, Pete Barton will be hard to beat although boss of Seldén Masts and series sponsor Steve Norbury are among those looking to make life hard for Barton. Ellie Craig has fared well in a number of editions of the Series and is another one to watch in the RS Aeros. Patrick Overs sailed his Solo to third overall in last season's Covid-disrupted Series and is back to see if he can climb higher up the podium this winter.

Val Millward was Top Lady last season and returns for yet another year of loyal participation in the Series aboard her Challenger trimaran, with class competition coming from fellow Rutlander Graham Hall.

See the full list of entries so far.

Online Briefing

As ever, the team of Draycote Water SC are running a tight operation with everything organised well in advance. All competitors should watch the Online Briefing before arriving at the club on Saturday morning:

Race Format

The Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash consists of up to four back-to-back handicap races on Saturday, starting at 11am. Sunday is the Pursuit Race.

A number of classes choose to use the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series as their class Winter Championships or for other events in their calendar during the colder months. Already for this year, fleets including the 420, D-Zero, Hadron H2, RS300 and RS Aero are using events in the Series for class purposes. If you'd like to set up a hassle-free, Covid-compliant series for your fleet, then contact Simon Lovesey: simon.lovesey@sailracer.co.uk

For more details on Draycote Water Sailing Club, see draycotewater.co.uk/sailing-events/visitor-information

Assuming the maximum entry quota hasn't already been reached, entry for the Dash closes on Sunday 14 November. Get your entry in here at www.sailjuiceseries.com

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The Great Lakes Handicap Numbers

With little racing having taken place during Covid lockdown periods of 2020 and early 2021, The Great Lakes Handicaps for 2021-22 remain unchanged from 2020-21. However, over the best part of a decade the Great Lakes numbers have proven to deliver fair racing for a wide range of classes, and group chairman Andrew Craig is pleased to see the standard RYA numbers have moved closer to the point where some class numbers are now the same under both systems.

"In 2020 we closed the gap between several Great Lakes numbers that we changed significantly early on and the RYA PNs that have now moved to or close to our handicaps," said Craig. "Classes where we now use the RYA PN include Merlin Rocket, Fireball, National 12, Blaze, Phantom, Radial, Musto Skiff, GP14 and RS200."

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2021/22: