All aboard for the Carey Olsen Jersey Regatta & IRC Channel Islands Championship 2022
by Bill Harris 1 Jun 2022 20:00 NZST
Class 1 and 2 Windward Mark © William Harris
Summer has arrived and with the Island’s busy sailing programme in full swing, preparations for the 24th edition of the Jersey Regatta, organised by the Royal Channel Islands YC, St Helier YC and St Catherine’s SC are well under way.
Scheduled for Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th September, this sailing jamboree sees offshore law firm Carey Olsen generously occupying the sponsor’s berth for the third year running and, as ever, Jersey Marinas kindly providing free berthing and much other support for visitors and locals alike.
An exceptional venue
This ‘flagship’ event takes place within the very beautiful natural arena of St Aubin’s Bay extending to coastal waters for the cruiser class racing. The Bay encompasses the approaches to St Helier Harbour and the La Collette yacht basin and, to the west, the enchanting drying harbour and town of St Aubin. There are ship chandlers and fuel stations in both harbours.
A warm welcome awaits you
This is an open event that promises a very warm welcome to all. The social programme, running from Thursday to Sunday, is designed to provide plenty of opportunity to socialise, have fun and unwind and, for visitors, to glean those golden nuggets of local knowledge so essential in tidal waters (Jersey Cruising Guide available, on application).
A well-established format
The Regatta will follow the well-established format of three days’ competitive racing for cruiser/racer, dayboat, sportsboat, dinghy, sport catamaran and windsurfer classes accompanied by a comprehensive social programme commencing with an opening reception on Thursday evening. Racing gets under way Friday morning with a coastal race for the cruiser classes; the ‘small’ boats come to the line late in the afternoon. Races held on Friday are ‘standalone’ with their own prizes.
For the Regatta-proper, there are individual trophies and prizes each day with trophies for the overall winner in each class. RORC’s 9th GBR IRC Channel Islands Championship is dovetailed into the Regatta and is, undoubtedly, the major highlight for cruiser/racers competing for the Championship title and the award of prizes kindly donated by Spinlock.
Get the latest updates
With Covid having faded into the background, organisers and local sailors alike look forward to the return of visiting boats and the cut and thrust, fun and friendship that accompanies them. Keep up to date with other events through jersey.com. This site provides a wealth of information concerning accommodation, what to see, where to dine and what’s on, etc. N.B. Book early if you require accommodation during the week of the Regatta.
The Notice of Race and how to enter
The Notice of Race is available on jerseyregatta.com; entry is on-line through the NoR. Modest entry fees cover all hospitality in the social programme except for Saturday’s party night. Fees are discounted for ‘early birds’ who sign up no later than Friday 12th August; standard fees apply, thereafter, up to Friday 26th August when entries close.
For further information, contact the Regatta office on + 44 (0) 1534 732229 or e-mail info@jerseyregatta.com.