Bart’s Bash – Sunday 21st September – The Largest Sailing Event in the World!
LINK TO EVENT REPORT
Many of you will have heard about the Bart’s Bash race on Sunday 21st September in support of the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
Over 650 clubs around the world and some of the world’s top sailors have signed up to take part. Event organisers are also hoping the event will achieve a Guinness World Record!
We are pleased to confirm that Marconi SC in conjunction with other sailing clubs on the river will be holding a Bart’s Bash race as part of this major event.
Who can enter?
Everyone! The race is open to cruisers, dinghies and cats – all are welcome regardless of racing experience!
You will be sailing against sailors all round the world. Following the event, the organisers will take all the results from all the clubs and calculate race winners using a handicap system (no mean feat!)
How to Enter?
To register – visit Marconi’s page on the Bart’s Bash website – http://www.bartsbash.co.uk/club/marconi-sailing-club and click on “SIGN UP TO SAIL HERE” (just below the map).
To be included in the World Record attempt – individuals need to register on the website in advance of the race and each club needs at least 25 entries to be counted – so get your registration in now!!
The event is also raising funds for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation (see below) and they are asking for a £5 donation from each person over the age of 14 who intends to sail. Once you have signed up, you can also create a just giving page and get people to sponsor you if you would like to raise further funds.
What will happen on the day?
Racing will be split into three fleets and will congregate in the following areas for an 11am start on Sunday 21st September:
· Cruisers – off Stone Sailing Club
· Cats and Fast Dinghies – off Osea Pier
· Slower Dinghies – off Osea Road
The three fleets will race separately with their own committee boat and course being set in the respective sailing area. The race will last no more than one hour and will be a minimum of 1km long.
Club participants will sign on and off at Marconi in Race Reception in the normal manner (under 18s will require parent/guardian signature) and participants will need to launch in time to reach their respective sailing areas. Support boat cover is being provided by various clubs on the river including Marconi.
A copy of the Sailing Instructions for the joint club River Blackwater Bart’s Bash are available on the link below and are available in Race Reception.
Clearly, there are some logistical considerations involved with the above and further details will be advised in the next two weeks and on the day!
Why is Bart’s Bash taking place?
Bart’s Bash is to support the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation which transforms the lives of young people through sailing. Inspired by Olympic Gold and Silver medallist Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, and founded by Sir Ben Ainslie CBE, Iain Percy OBE and Andrew’s wife Leah, the Foundation helps young people to develop the personal skills to succeed in life and improves access to jobs and careers within the maritime sector. Our activity principally focuses on young people between the age of 5 and 24 and we aim to combine invaluable time spent on water alongside providing life changing inspiration and encouragement.