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Yachtsmen from Guernsey, Alderney, Jersey and France will be getting the opportunity to test their seamanship over three days and 85 "demanding miles" as part of a new race.
Taking place over the Bank Holiday weekend of 24 to 26 August, the Vantage CI Triangle event brings together the Guernsey Yacht Club, the Alderney Sailing Club (ASC) and the St. Helier Yacht Club.
It will incorporate the newly-resurrected Alderney Regatta, which is making a return to the sailing calendar on 23 August after a few years of absence.
Following resurgence of interest for the regatta's renaissance, ASC Race Officer Nigel Vooght contacted the Guernsey and Jersey clubs to see if they would like to support the event.
Rhys Perkins, the StHYC Sailing Committee chairman, suggested bringing together the Centenary Triangle - a three-day event the Yacht Club organises every two years - with the Alderney Regatta. With support from the GYC and sponsorship from a financial services company, the Vantage CI Triangle was born.
"It’s all rather nice how it’s come together and we look forward to welcoming the sailors from Jersey, Guernsey and France," Mr Vooght said.
Pictured: ASC Race Officer, Nigel Vooght. (Ilona Soane-Sands)
The race fleet - which should include around 20 including yachts from Guernsey and France - will leave on 24 August from St. Helier. After rounding Jersey’s east coast, it will race to Alderney, a distance of roughly 48 miles.
Given the length of the leg and the variables of tidal and weather conditions, there will be two alternative start lines, to the south and north of the Ecréhous, as well as two finish lines, off Dielette and east of Alderney.
On day two of the event, the fleet will be joined by yachts from Alderney and more from France for a race around the northern-most Channel Island, a further 15 miles.
On day three, the fleet will race from Braye Harbour to St. Peter Port, a final leg of 22 miles.
Pictured: The event will include the recently resurrected Alderney Regatta.
The first two races will be handicap events, while the third will be a pursuit race. At the end of each leg, individual prizes will be awarded while the overall winner of the three days of racing will receive the Vantage CI Triangle Trophy.
In addition to the daily social events and prize-giving ceremonies, ASC Commodore Tess Woodnutt, a pig farmer, will be hosting a pig roast at the Braye Harbour clubroom on the evening of 25 August.
"We’re really looking forward to the weekend as it will provide plenty of challenges and tests of seamanship," said Mr Perkins. "Not that many local sailors race to, or around, Alderney so the navigators will be working hard to plot the best courses in unfamilar waters.
"It’s also pleasing to see Alderney Regatta come back to life and I’m glad that the Jersey and Guernsey clubs, with help from sponsors Vantage, have been able to provide support through the creation of this new event."
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