Hamble River Sailing Club set for Bart's Bash
by Barney Smith 19 Sep 2014 12:23 BST
21 September 2014
Pico racing at Hamble River SC © Barney Smith
Hamble River Sailing Club (HRSC) on the South Coast of the UK is proud to be taking part in Bart's Bash this Sunday, the largest sailing race in the world!
The club currently has over 100 boats registered on the Bart's Bash website, and more than 150 people, currently third in the world for entry numbers. Those registered to date include over 50 of the iconic red, white and black sailed Foxer dinghies which are unique – at least in racing terms! – to the River Hamble. This is a world record in itself given the previous biggest ever Foxer racing fleet was just 34 boats back in 2010!
HRSC Commodore Trevor Pountain said, "We never dreamed that our club would be able to get so many boats out for Bart's Bash. There's a simple explanation though, it's a fantastic cause and the Bart's Bash slogan, 'Inspiring the next generation' fits perfectly with our club aims."
Picos, Optimists, Mirrors, Fevas, Fireflys, Lasers, Impalas and Sigma 38s are some of the other classes that will be racing from HRSC on Sunday.
HRSC Bart's Bash Event Maker Barney Smith said, "Due to the constraints of South Coast geography and a few restrictions from the Harbour Master we'll be setting a theatre style course for the dinghies just out of the main river channel. With one side bordered by mud flats and the other by pontoons and yacht moorings there should be plenty of action for the spectators to watch!"
Many HRSC members who are not sailing will be helping with committee and safety boats, and running the party back in the clubhouse on Sunday afternoon. Off water activities include a hog roast, a raffle and charity auction organised by the Foxer fleet, all in aid of the Bart's Bash charity, the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation.
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