Founded in 2002, the annual SYH Classic Regatta is now firmly established in the UK classic yachting calendar as the largest event of its kind on the east coast. Popular with local classic yachts, the regatta also attracts owners and crew from all over the UK looking to start their racing season ahead of the south coast sailing events.
The 2020 SYH Classic Regatta from 12th – 14th June will be the 19th consecutive year of the event and popular demand has resulted in a dedicated website to provide user-friendly access to details, entry documents, images and results.
In 2020, the regatta will introduce new elements to the usual programme to ensure maximum racing and camaraderie for all entrants and spectators.
On Friday 12th June, there will be an early evening race from the club line in the River Orwell for the fast, slow and Stella classes. Entrants will be competing for prizes, but these will be separate from the overall regatta series. Supper at the Haven Ports Yacht Club (HPYC) lightship will follow the evening race.
Saturday and Sunday will run as ‘normal’ with skippers briefing on Saturday morning in the Harbour Room followed by two back-to-back races in the areas of Dovercourt Bay, Harwich Harbour, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries.
The fleet will return to SYH, where yachts have the option to berth in front of HPYC. Drinks and pop-up restaurant pizza will be available whilst live music plays from the top deck of the lightship. Later in the evening, there is the option to have dinner at the lightship and/or stay on to party the night away with a live blues band.
Sunday will see a single race for the three classes, followed by prize-giving at approximately 4pm.
In addition to the sailing element of the 2020 regatta, SYH has extended an invitation to Fairey Marine motor boat owners to hold their annual summer outing at the harbour over the weekend of 13th – 14th June.
SYH boatyard services director and Fairey Marine owner Joshua Major commented, “Fairey Marine power boats are highly regarded for their classic design and construction, interesting history and on-the-water performance. As such, there will undoubtedly be mutual appreciation and camaraderie between the regatta’s sailing yacht crews and the Fairey Marine guests.”
Joshua continued, “We would welcome applications from other classic motor boats; interested parties can contact the regatta team on the details below.”
Entry for the 2020 regatta will open in March and previous competitors will receive documentation at the end of February. To register your interest or for any queries, please contact jonathan@syharbour.co.uk / +44(0) 1473 659 465.