Keelboats and dinghies

There are a record number of boats expected at the Glyn Charles Pursuit

There's less than a week to go to the 2006 Glyn Charles Memorial Pursuit Race and a record turn out of over 150 dinghies and keelboats is expected. This very special race is now a firmly established high spot in the UK sailing calendar and takes place from Hayling Island Sailing Club this Saturday 17 June.

The Glyn Charles Memorial Race is about fun, fundraising and remembering Glyn, one of Great Britain's best young sailors, tragically lost in the 1998 Sydney Hobart race. The fundraising part of day is run in aid of the John Merrick's Sailing Trust. John, a great friend of Glyn's and a fellow member of the 1996 British Olympic Team, died in a car accident in 1997 and the trust was founded in his memory to advance the education and physical and mental development of young people in need (under the age of 25 years) with a view to promoting the achievement of their potential through the sport of sailing. The trust does fantastic work and every penny raised will go to support its cause.

Glyn's great friends Liz and Mark Rushall have always played an important role in organising this race and were hugely disappointed when they realised they could not be present this year. Being the resourceful types they are this wasn't going to stop them competing and so, thanks to the support of Andrew Pindar, we are delighted to announce that Liz and Mark have entered the Pindar AlphaGraphics VO60, starting from Newport, Rhode Island line and using a special local correction factor (much to the relief of the Chichester Harbour Master who seemed to be slightly worried about the prospect of a VO60 inside the harbour!).

In recognition of the increasing number of keel boats taking part Dubarry of Ireland, the people who make those lovely leather boots so popular with keel boat sailors, are presenting the new Dubarry Trophy for the first keelboat finisher. As well as the perpetual trophy the winning crew will each receive a pair of Dubarry footwear. Inspired by the promise of new footwear the Victory fleet are rumoured to be travelling from Porstmouth to race against the local Sunbeams, K6s, Elites, etc, and obviously Mark and Liz will be hoping that Pindar AlphaGraphics is in with a fighting chance....

In addition there are a host of fabulous prizes on offer totalling over £5,000 in value and ranging from a luxury stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire and some amazing electrical goods donated by Basilica, to TackTick electronics and signed kit from Volvo Race Winner Mike "Moose" Sanderson of ABN AMRO and double Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson. Other generous prize donors include Gill, Skandia, Sail for Gold, Yachts and Yachting, Musto, thedailysail.com, Henri Lloyd, Seahorse Magazines, Conrad Humphries, Steve Arkley, Rick Tomlinson, APP, Ingrid Abery, Team New Zealand, Dingy Sailing Magazine, Offshore Challenges, Winning Tides and the London 2012 Olympics.

The weather forecast is looking promising so get yourself and your boat down to Hayling on Saturday and be part of this incredible day. All the info you need can be found at www.rushall.demon.co.uk/mark/glyn_charles_pursuit_race.htm . If you can't take part or attend please visit the John Merricks Sailing Trust at www.jmst.org.uk and make a donation!