Thanks to Suzanne and Alan for this latest sailing update. Ed
With this year’s Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup fast approaching sailing crews and their boats are now looking to be selected to represent national teams. With this in mind and the general chance to just improve sailing knowledge and hone skills this year’s RORC Easter Regatta should prove a winner with experts on hand to teach and train.
Valuable ‘training regatta’
Billed as a training regatta, sailors can gain valuable coaching advice whilst racing from a team headed by coaching guru Jim Saltonstall (pictured above).
This year’s event will be augmented by the support of North U. Regatta Services who provide coaching and performance analysis at select events worldwide. RORC is delighted that the team, which is part of North Sails, will be present at this event in Cowes.
On-the-water coaching
North U. Regatta Services team is led by Chuck Allen and Andreas Josenhans, who are both highly experienced sailing performance analysts based in the USA with a programme that includes on-the-water coaching tailored to sail trim and speed which will be followed by performance analysis debriefs in Cowes Yacht Haven Events Centre.
RORC CEO Eddie Warden Owen believes that the North Sails initiative is a great addition to the coaching that makes the RORC Easter Challenge such a special event.
A competitive fleet on the start line
RORC Racing Manager, Nick Elliott added,
“This initiative will be a great service to the boats who want to improve their all-round performance ready for a full race season. The fleet for the RORC Easter Challenge is looking good.
“As well as being joined by regular RORC competitors and boats from France, The Netherlands and as far as Hong Kong, we are also seeing potential candidates interested in the RYA Selection Trials for this summer’s Brewin Dolphin Commodores’ Cup. They’ll be a competitive fleet on the start line in Cowes, fighting it out for Easter eggs and prizes.”
Merging operations
As well as organising the Easter Regatta the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) have revealed plans to merge their operations and create one club with Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Cowes (RCYC, Cowes). Clubhouses will be both in London (RORC) and Cowes (RCYC).
This idea developed following a strategic decision by RORC to establish an administrative base outside London principally to cater for its growing race management team, which it requires to administer the increased number of races run by RORC. At the same time, RCYC, Cowes has been considering its own long-term future.
Many benefits to merge
The obvious benefits, besides complementary spheres of activity are sound operational efficiencies, prime locations in London and Cowes for the enjoyment of its combined membership and a home in Cowes for the large number of sailors who race with the RORC.
Exact details of the merger have yet to be revealed, but the combined club will operate under the name of RORC, although the intention is to retain the Royal Corinthian name for use in connection with Cowes and Solent-based inshore racing activities, to differentiate between the two racing programmes. Members of both clubs have been advised of the proposal and that general meetings will be convened in time for the merger to become effective in the autumn, after the main summer season.
