LATEST NEWS

LATEST RACE RESULTS

A conclusive victory in the HRSC Autumn Championships - on paper at least... result and report now posted...

 

SILVERWARE!

Whistler wins the Olivia Anne IV Clock - for the longest elapsed time recorded by any yacht competing with JOG in 2007... we think this is an award for commitment rather than a comment on our boat speed!

 

FAMOUS AGAIN!!!

We have appeared for at least the FOURTH time in Yachts and Yachting - look at the issue dated July 13th 2007, page 8 (Round the Island 2007) and closely examine the top left corner of the main photo - there is a conspicuous pink kite and just to the right of it... us!

And we were in the financial pages of one of the quality weekend papers (maybe an article of how yachting burns money...)

And recently in one of the yachting mags (don't remember which one) - just the top of the mast and heads of the main and kite but we know it's us!

 

31.7 CLASS ASSOCIATION FORMED

The germ of the idea took root when a group of 31.7 owners who raced together, decided over a few beers to try to encourage more owners out onto the water and to coordinate which events they competed in.
 
2005 saw close, competitive racing in the Warsash Spring Series, Round the Island Race, Cowes Week, Beneteau Cup, Hamble Winter Series and with the Junior Offshore Group. As the season progressed a growing number of 31.7s were turning out, making for some great boat-on-boat race action. Travelling further offshore, 31.7s also competed in the Royal Southampton Yacht Club Solent-Santander Double and Royal Ocean Racing Club Fastnet Race.
 
In 2006 the momentum continued. A program of races was agreed with the focus on fast and furious inshore racing based around the Solent. Short legs meant that good crew work was paramount and the strong tides put even more pressure on the navigators. Entries were in double figures for some events, which means that we can start requesting our own start in future years. With support from Ancasta and UK Sails we also ran our first 31.7 Regatta in July, where the primary focus was to provide an opportunity for boats and crews new to racing to come and have a go without the stress of a major regatta - with consistent wind, bright sunshine and 30 degree heat we could all have been in the Mediterranean rather than the Solent!
 
Off the water, an exciting development has been the creation of a 31.7 website with news, technical information, events, results, photographs and a forum with over 100 members from the UK, Ireland, Europe and as far afield as Australia. Topics covered over the last year range from “facts you didn’t know about Poole” to discussions on the effect of wind shear on different tacks!
 
After an informal start, we have decided to build on last year’s excellent, well attended racing and form an official 31.7 Class Association, with the aim of promoting 31.7 racing and providing both support and information for those interested in sailing one – and of course great fun and socialising for skippers and crews!

The Association is run by 31.7 sailors and encourages a membership that includes not only boat owners but crew members from both the racing and cruising categories. Participation at all levels is encouraged with the main objective being to get more people into 31.7s and on the water.

Our priority is to promote safe, recreational sailing around the UK and Europe. A number of the key features that the Association will offer to achieve this are: -

• The availability of technical information, advice and the organisation of workshops
• A calendar of sailing and social events through the year
• A calendar of racing events when 31.7s will be represented as a single class or part of a handicap fleet
• The website as the primary method of communication between members.

A program of core racing events has been agreed including the Red Funnel Regatta, JOG Inshore Series, Royal Southern Series, Round the Island Race, Cowes Week, Beneteau Cup and the Dartmouth Royal Regatta, which will see entries from along the south coast and Channel Islands. 31.7s will also compete in the Royal Southampton Double Handed Series, including the Solent–Santander Double and Fastnet. The full calendar is below, or can be viewed on the website.
 
With the greatest concentration of yachts, the initial focus has had a Solent flavour but we are in contact with owners across the UK and actively working towards organising a truly representative Nationals in 2008 – watch this space!

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