All systems go for Plymouth regatta (From Boating Cornwall)

All systems go for Plymouth regatta

12:30pm Tuesday 21st July 2009 in Sailing By Stephen Ivall

The Port of Plymouth Regatta is a well known tradition having taken place in the city for 150 years. The 2009 regatta, which runs from the 25th July to 2nd August, is geared up to be one of the best yet with a high number of entries, live bands and, for the first time ever, inter-club Match Racing in the RYA’s (Royal Yachting Association) matched J80’s.

This is a real coup for Plymouth and has only been possible because of Mayflower Marina’s involvement and outstanding new facilities. The marina will be providing storage for the J80’s and will also use its new boat hoist to launch and recover the vessels.

The week kicks off with dinghy racing before the J80 races take over from the 27th-29th. The eagerly anticipated Champagne Race will take place on the 30th July and will see a number of sailors compete in a 40 mile offshore race. Yacht racing takes place the following two days and the final day will see the emergence of the ‘Champion of Champions’ as the winners of each race compete against each other.

Local bands, Larry and the Lilos and Faux Furs, will be playing in the regatta marquee on the Friday and Saturday nights (31st July and 1st August), keeping the atmosphere running until the early hours.

Hoping to encourage more people to the City, the regatta has organised feeder races from local ports, including Falmouth and Dartmouth. These will take place on the 30th July. There have already been more 150 yacht and dinghy entries guaranteeing some exciting races!

Charles Bush, managing director of Mayflower Marina, commented: “We are pleased to sponsor the Port of Plymouth Regatta and offer the sailors our services and support. We have invested £2.5m into our facilities to make sure we stand out as a first class marina and if we can help to promote the city, and encourage visitors at the same time, then we have a win win situation.

“The Port of Plymouth Regatta is a time honoured tradition and we are proud to be associated with it.”

Peter Noakes, organiser of the Port of Plymouth Regatta, added: “Mayflower Marina supported the regatta in 2008 and this year has increased its efforts by providing us with the excellent opportunity to have the J80s involved - without them the Royal Yachting Association would not be in Plymouth. We have seen huge support from a number of local businesses and we are really excited about this year’s event. We really hope to get the people of Plymouth out in force to support the sailors.”