Open call to Channel Islands sailing enthusiasts for the biggest race of the year

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Preparations are underway for the 2016 Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race, the biggest sailing event in the Channel Islands, which alternates in direction between Jersey and Guernsey each year.

This year the race will begin in Guernsey at 11.30am on Saturday 2 July with a fleet of up to 100 yachts racing the 24 miles to St Helier.

Once on dry land, there will be a dinner and presentation of prizes and trophies in a marquee at the St Helier Yacht Club with music and dancing for the 450 crew members.

Bob de la Haye, commodore of the St Helier Yacht Club, said: “This is a very popular flagship event for amateur and seasoned sailors alike and it is always well supported.

"This year we are introducing a new category for the Fast Cats Shearwater Trophy who will start thirty minutes later.”

Awards in other categories include:

• Overall winner for the Carey Olsen Trophy and second, third , fourth and fifth overall (CIHS)

• Carey Olsen team trophy to be raced by teams of three yachts under CIHS which are affiliated to any yacht club

• Sir James Knott Trophy to the first three yachts registered in Guernsey or Jersey with the lowest combined score under CIHS

• First IRC

• First non IRC

• First to Finish

• Second and Third in both the IRC class and the non-IRC class

• First Bilge Keel (under CIHS)

• First Long Keel (under CIHS)

• First J Boat (under CIHS)

• First Two Handed (under CIHS)

• First Oldest Helm (under CIHS)

• First Quarter Tonner (under CIHS)

• First non-Channel island (registered) boat (under CIHS)

• First family crewed (under CIHS) - to be eligible for the Family Crewed class a boat must be crewed by the owner and their immediate family (defined as their parents / spouse / children and grandchildren); no other person may be on board.

• First Female Helm (under CIHS)

• First Young Helm (under CIHS) - for under 25 year olds only.

This is the seventh year that Carey Olsen has sponsored the Race and managing partner, Alex Ohlsson, said: “We look forward to the event as it comes around again and to the camaraderie and friendly rivalry that it stirs between Guernsey and Jersey.

Part of its appeal is the broad range of categories that it covers, from seasoned crews to young skippers, making it a day for sailing enthusiasts of all levels followed by a fun evening ashore."

Entry forms should be submitted by noon on Saturday 18 June 2016. Full race instructions are available from:

• Guernsey Yacht Club www.gyc.org.gg

• St Helier Yacht Club www.shyc.je

• www.careyolseninterislandyachtrace.com

Entry forms can be completed online at www.gyc.org.gg.