Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta

Celebrating Two-Hundred Years of International Yachting

The Royal Yacht Squadron – is one of the most prestigious yacht clubs in the world. Its clubhouse is Cowes Castle on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom. Member yachts are given the Suffix RYS to their names, and permitted to fly the White Ensign of the Royal Navy[1] rather than the merchant Red Ensign flown by the majority of other UK registered vessels. The club’s patron is Queen Elizabeth II and the club’s admiral is Prince Philip who is also a former club commodore.

July 26-31, 2015 – Cowes – RYS – This year the Royal Yacht Squadron, founded in 1815, achieves its bicentenary. To mark the occasion, the Squadron will host an invitational regatta to bring together as many clubs and friends as possible from around the globe, who share their common interests and love of sailing.

The Royal Yacht Squadron Bicentenary International Regatta will be the highlight of a calendar of celebrations being held throughout the bicentenary year and will take place in the Solent from the 25th – 31st July 2015.

Twenty five yacht clubs have been invited to take part and will join the Royal Yacht Squadron for five days of spectacular racing in a 200-strong fleet, including modern and classic boats racing under IRC, J/70s, Beneteau F40s and up to five J-Class yachts.

“Our aim is to make sure owners and crews will leave at the end of the event with many happy memories. Participation in the International Bicentennial Regatta will help forge stronger ties between our clubs.”

Christopher Sharples, Commodore, Royal Yacht Squadron.

 

 

Yachts Entered Vintage Designed in or Before 1967

From the schooner Eleonora at 160′ to the two 8 metre yachts Helen and Enchantement born 1936 and 1923 respectively, the event has been a magnet for the most immaculate and competitive classics in Europe and beyond. Several, including Dorade herself, have racing across the Atlantic from Newport, Rhode Island, to take part in the regatta.

1897 – Jap – Type: Cork Harbour One Design – Designed by: William Fife III
1903 – Kelpie – Type: Solent 38 One Design – Designed by: Alfred Mylne
1904 – Mikado – Type: Gaff Rigged Cutter (original) – Designed by: William Fife III
1910 – Eleonora – Type: Gaff Rigged Schooner – Designed by: N.G. Herreshoff (2000 exact replica)
1911 – Mariquita – Type: Gaff Rigged Cutter – Designed by: William Fife III
1930 – Dorade – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Olin Stephens
1933 – Velsheda – Type: J-Class – Designed by: Charles Nicholson
1934 – Stormy Weather – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Olin Stephens
1936 – Bojar – Type: F Class – Designed by Johans Anker
1938 – Tomahawk – Type: Yawl – Designed by S&S
1938 – Cereste – Type: 10 Tonner – Designed by: Robert Clark
1939 – Whooper – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Jack Laurent Giles
1947 – Infanta – Type: Yawl – Designed by: Philip Rhodes
1947 – Croix des Garde – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Henri Dervin
1948 – Argyll – Type: Yawl – Designed by: S&S
1949 – Gulvain – Type: Sloop – Designed by: Jack Laurent Giles
1957 – Cetewayo – Type: Bermudian Sloop – Designed by: Laurent Giles

 

 

8mR Class Yachts

1923 – Enchantement IV – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Johan Anker
1928 – Osborne – Type: 8mR – Designed by: William Fife III
1930 – IF – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Bjarne Aas
1931 – Saskia – Type: 8mR – Designed by: William Fife III
1939 – Athena – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Tore Holm
1949 – Erica – Type: 8mR – Designed by: Bjarne Aas

 

J-Class Yachts

1933 – Velsheda – Designed by: Charles E. Nicholson
2004 – Ranger – Designed by: Sparkman & Stephens (exact replica)
2010 – Lionheart – Designed by Starling Burgess/Olin Stephens (77-F)

The Yacht Clubs

The following Yacht Clubs have been invited to send representatives to the Bicentennial Regatta, reflecting the historical reach of the Royal Yacht Squadron around the yachting world and lending a truly international flavour to the event.

Celebrations Ashore

As well a packed programme of sailing, which will be watched by spectators ashore and afloat, the regatta also features a varied social programme for those taking part, including an Opening Reception at the Royal Yacht Squadron, individual Class dinners throughout the week and an RYS Bicentenary Regatta Grand Party at Osborne House.

The event will also include a display by the Red Devil parachute display team on Friday 31st July.

 

 

The Event Schedule

 

Saturday 25th July

0800 – 1800

Registration at Regatta House

The regatta office is located at 18 Bath Road, which is on the parade opposite Trinity Landing.

1300

North U Regatta Services on the water for Practice racing

Open to all classes

Sunday 26th July

0800 – 1800

Registration at Regatta House

The Regatta Office is located at 18 Bath Road, which is on Cowes Parade, opposite Trinity Landing.

1200

North U Regatta Services on the water for practice racing with J/70’s

1730

Skippers’ briefing

Location: Royal Yacht Squadron

1830

Opening Reception

SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list

2030

Commodore’s Dinner

Location: Royal Yacht Squadron (by invitation)

Monday 27th July

0900 – 1200

Team Racing – first flights

1030

IRC & Level Rating class racing commences

1300 – 1600

Team Racing – second flights

Approx 1600 – 1830

North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven

Immediately after racing (more info).

1700

North Sails presents “History in the Making”

A panel discussion hosted by Ken Read featuring Sir Ben Ainslie, Sam Davies and Jimmy Spithill (more info). Entry is free and open to all competitors.

1900

RORC incorporating Royal Corinthian: “Tastes of the Isle of Wight”

£22.00 per person. Dress code smart/casual (more details available here)

1900 for 1930

RYS Pavilion Social for the Classics

(booking form available here)

2000 for 2030

RYS Dinner for the Classics

(booking form available here)

Tuesday 28th July

0900 – 1200

Team Racing – first flights

1030

IRC and Level Rating class racing commences

1300 – 1600

Team Racing – second flights

Approx 1600 – 1830

North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven

Immediately after racing (more info).

1900

Island Sailing Club: Supper

£10 for one course, £14 for two. Dress code sailing clothes or casual but not sailing boots or oilies. Email: lea@islandsc.org.uk

1900 for 1930

RYS Pavilion Social for the J/70 Team Racing class

(booking form available here)

2000 for 2030

RYS Dinner for the Level Rating class

(booking form available here)

Wednesday 29th July

0800

Around the Island Race for IRC, Level Rating and others

0900 – 1200

Team Racing – first flights

1000 – 1500

Regatta Supporters’ Brunch at Ventnor Botanical Gardens

(click here for booking form)

1300 – 1600

Team Racing – second flights

Approx 1600 – 1830

North U Regatta Services post-racing analysis at the Cowes Yacht Haven

Immediately after racing (more info).

1930 fo 2000

Royal London YC Bicentenary Regatta Supper

£29.50. Dress code “smart” (for more details see here)

1900 for 1930

RYS Pavilion Social for the IRC Class

SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list

2000 for 2030

RYS Dinner for the IRC Class

SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list

Thursday 30th July

0900 – 1200

Team Racing – first flights

1030

IRC and Level Rating class racing commences

1300 – 1600

Team Racing – second flights

1930 for 2030

RYS Bicentenary Regatta Grand Party at Osborne House

(for more details, click here, booking form available here)

Friday 31st July

1000 – 1400

Team Racing – semi finals, petit finals and finals

1030

IRC and Level Rating class racing commences

1800

Closing Reception for all at RYS with display by Red Devils

SOLD OUT: Please contact us to be added to the waiting list

2000

Crew Party at Cowes Yacht Haven. Open to all.

(download invitation here)

 

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