UKCRA and www.catamaran.co.uk aim to co-ordinate and promote long distance cat races in the UK. The UKCRA LD Guidlines are here
Here is a list of the races presently known - the comments are my own (Ron Bentham's) - to add an idea of the flavour of the event. Please send me your comments and any information you have and I will include them.
East Coast Piers Race - "The Piers"
Water - Blackwater Estuary + Essex Coast
Club - Marconi Sailing Club
Contact: info@marconi-sc.org.uk
Web site: www.marconi-sc.org.uk/ecpr/
Comment - Probably the longest established long distance race in the country. For years the Piers has attracted top continental sailors, and development classes, along with the cream of big cat sailors. However the Piers isn't just for big cats - a shorter, but no less demanding course is always available for smaller cats. Marconi have the organisation down to a fine art - with a spacious marquee, a huge grassy boat park in which to camp and park, intimate little bar, and excellent race organisation. The course is marked with cruiser "mother ships" flying orange flags, and quite easy for first timers. It is a challenge, but a manageable one.
From the start at Osea Pier, you sail down the Blackwater Estuary to
Bradwell, across the Estuary, and then along the coast. Passing the Pier at Clacton, turning at Walton Pier for the return trip. It's usually a beat and a run - ideal for 3 sail cats. The Piers is the place to see and be seen - you will always find the latest cats and the biggest names.This is a major charity event raising funds to support "The Cirdan Trust" to
further their important work with socially or physically disadvantaged children.The Thames Forts Race - "The Forts"
Water - Thames Estuary + Kent Coast
Club - Whitstable Yacht Club
Contact - dewhirst@btinternet.com
Comment - Now a well established Race, the Forts race is the baby of cat guru and UKCRA Chairman Nick Dewhirst. The Forts course is carefully planned according to conditions - but always with the sailors in mind. Several old WW2 fortifications still stand in the Thames - looking like a cross between oil rigs and HG Wells Tripods - and the race uses them as marks of the course. Whitstable is a very friendly club in a picturesque Kent fishing port. Superbly organised - well worth a visit.
Contact - fhmcmillan@dera.gov.uk
Comment - I need some more info on this one - any volunteers? But I do know it is a popular event. Tresaith has a unique character and a faithful following. They race round the cans on one day, and hold a long distance on the other. Popular with Hurricanes.
The UKCRA Brightlingsea- Whitstable Race
Watch this space for more details, but it is expected to feed the Forts race the week after
Isle of Sheppey Long Distance Dinghy and Cat race
The Sheppey Island Race is the UK's longest standing annual race for dinghies, catamarans and sailboards. The course is a clockwise circumnavigation of the Isle of Sheppey (close to Whitstable) in North Kent and includes sea, estuary and river with tide conditions. The race is some 30-40 miles in length depending on wind and tides and has been established since 1959 making it one of the longest running events of its kind. A wide range of catamaran classes have entered and successfully completed the course over the years including: Dart 18, Dart 15, Dart 16, Catapult, Shearwater, Tornado, Hurricane 5.9, Swift, Cheetah and Unicorn.
Others
I also know of these club long distance races - often run on one day of their various open meetings.
Llandudno - they run a LD as part of their open - which is part of the N Wales circuit. It is a broadly triangular course - out to sea to a large navigation buoy, and back into the coast. More info please.....
There is another race in North Wales called the Conwy Tally Race - Details from Roger Heath 01492 622370 email rmmarine@fsbdial.co.uk or visit www.pensailing.co.uk
Dee sailing Club also have an LD race I think http://www.dee-sc.co.uk/
South Coast - I have seen numerous reports on LD's in the South, but being a Northerner....please email me the ones you know about ron@gconnect.net
Weston - have a LD Cat event.....
Bar Room Talk - fact or fantasy??!!
I have heard talk of planned or dreamed about courses - Round Anglesey, Hollyhead - Dun Laoghare, Blackpool - Isle of Man - do you know of any more?
And how about this for an idea....... http://www.catamaran.ie/ireland900/index.htm
Long Distance in Europe
Our European cousins also like their LD's - here are the ones I know about
Texel - the big one!
Duc d'Albe - Cote D'Azur
Vikland Cup - France to Channel Islands and back
Hook of Holland
Long Distance Around the World
The Australian Reef Cat Classic
I will research more as I can.
If you have any information about Long Distance Races in the UK and abroad, please let me know.