Carey Olsen Jersey Regatta 2021 – Flagship event on track for a superb event
by Bill Harris 11 Aug 18:00 AEST 10-12 September 2021
Scheduled for 10th to 12th September, the 23rd edition of the combined yacht clubs’ Jersey Regatta is open for entries. Generously sponsored by offshore law firm Carey Olsen, for the second year running, organising committee Chairman Bill Harris reports that this flagship event is well on track to produce what he anticipates will be an exciting, enjoyable and memorable time for all, novice and experienced sailors alike.
The Regatta is an open event for IRC and NHC cruiser/racer, Quarter Ton, sportsboat, dayboat, dinghy, sport catamaran and windsurfer classes. Registration for local and visiting boats, alike, is online at www.jerseyregatta.com. ‘Early birds’ signing up no later than Friday 20th August benefit from reduced fees; standard (modest) fees apply up to closing date, Friday 3rd September. Fees cover all aspects of the racing and shore-side programmes excepting the ticketed Regatta Party. Additionally, complimentary berthing is available to the Regatta fleet during the week leading to the event, courtesy of Jersey Marinas. In the case of visiting boats, skippers will need to contact the Marina Office to book a berth in advance of their arrival.
On the water, boats will be racing over a mixture of ’round the cans’ and trapezoidal courses in the beautiful natural arena of St Aubin’s Bay, extending to coastal waters in the case of the ‘big boat’ classes. As ever, the ‘small’ and ‘big’ boat classes are segregated and split between two race committee boats in the interests of safety and good competitive racing.
The Regatta gets under way on Thursday 9th September with the traditional welcoming ‘icebreaker’ reception. Racing for the cruiser/racer, sportsboat and Quarter Ton classes opens proceedings on Friday morning whilst the ‘small boats’ programme commences in the afternoon. Friday’s races are ‘standalone’, with trophies and prizes of their own. (Visiting boats often use these to ‘warm-up’ and get an idea of the all-important tidal influences in the Bay and along the south coast). For the Regatta-proper, races held on Saturday and Sunday count towards the class championships and associated trophies and prizes each day. Now in its 8th year, the GBR IRC Channel Islands Championship is, undoubtedly, a major attraction for the keen racers in the IRC cruiser classes.
Whilst there is a certain emphasis on the competitive element, the Regatta is also intended to allow everyone to unwind and enjoy the post-racing warm welcome and camaraderie that awaits them in the clubs. However, whilst the organisers are hoping to run the social programme as near to ‘normal’ as possible, Covid might continue to have an impact on what is on offer at the time.
Covid regulations meant that the Regatta was entirely a Jersey affair, last year. Notwithstanding the absence of visiting boats, there were still close to 100 boats racing in what proved to be an outstanding regatta albeit with no real social programme. Covid is ever present and it is hoped that revised governmental precautions will enable visiting boats to participate once again. In that respect, visitors will be obliged to observe the Island’s Covid rules that will exist at the time (see www.gov.je/Health/Coronavirus/Travel). All aspiring visitors should, also, take note of Ports of Jersey Notice to Mariners Nr 23 (www.ports.je/jerseyharbours/regulationguidance/noticemariners) especially those arriving from outside the Common Travel Area.
For further information, contact the Regatta Office either by email: or by telephone: + 44 (0) 1534 732229.
