Brewin Dolphin RS Elite Grand Prix to form centrepiece of 2022 RS Elite season
by Alasdair McLeod 2 Feb 2022 10:11 GMT

RS Elites at the Royal Yacht Squadron © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
The RS Elite keelboat class will return to the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes from 9th to 12th June this year for the Brewin Dolphin RS Elite International Grand Prix 2022, exactly ten years since the class held a highly successful UK National Championship there in 2012.
This year's event incorporates the 2022 National Championship as part of the larger international event. Full details can be found at www.rys.org.uk/events/regattas/rs-elite-international-grand-prix/rs-elite-international-grand-prix-2020.
Originally intended to have been held in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic has necessitated the postponement of the event to 2022 when it will form the centrepiece for a revitalized season for the RS Elite class. Other events include the Southern Area Championship to be held at Hayling Island Sailing Club from June 3rd to 5th, providing a warm-up for the Brewin Dolphin International Grand Prix. International entrants will be particularly welcome at this event. The Eastern Area Championship will be held on 27th to 29th August during Burnham week and the Irish National championship will be held at a date to be arranged.
Other open regattas with races for the RS Elite class are Cowes Week from 30th July to 6th August, with racing for the prestigious Tri-Handled Trophy for the overall winner of the week-long regatta and the Chairman's Flute for the best performing boat in the first four days, and Chichester Harbour Race Week with RS Elite races 17th to 19th of August. The fleets at Hayling Island and Northern Ireland all have full club racing programmes throughout the season.
2022 will be a comeback season for the RS Elite class following two years of cancelled events and events held under Covid restrictions. The Brewin Dolphin RS Elite International Grand Prix provides a focus for the season and the hugely-enthusiastic Charlie Egerton-Warburton, the event organiser, is pulling out all the stops to provide world-class race management on the water and a social programme ashore that will more than match the expectations of RS Elite sailors who are always up for a good party.
Entries are now open. Race documents and entry form may be found at www.rys.org.uk/events/regattas/rs-elite-international-grand-prix/rs-elite-international-grand-prix-2020.