Hamble Yacht Services to the rescue

Leading repair and refit facility to back the J/80 and 1720 Nationals

Hamble Yacht Services (HYS), our favourite yacht repair and re-fit facility on the River Hamble (who's facility is also home to thedailysail) is to this year sponsor the J/80 and 1720 Class UK National Championship. The HYS UK National Championship 2009 for both of these exciting sportsboat classes will take place from the 10th to 13th of June and will be hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble. Racing will take place on the Solent.

In the 1720 Class, the current National Champions, Steve Forrester-Coles and family (from Holyhead) will be defending their title in Ricochet, against a number of old adversaries including the Rob Derham’s Merlin and Roger Dunstan’s G&T, both from Cardiff.

In addition to the National Championship Trophy itself, 2009 sees a brand new trophy and prize for the event, kindly donated by Julian Cook and Caroline Aisher of the Church House Inn in Marldon, Devon. 1720 Owners themselves, Julian and Caroline have most generously put up some silverware for the Best Corinthian 1720 Team at the HYS UK Nationals, and a prize of a free, three night break for all five crew on the best ‘amateur’ boat at their luxury, self-catering property in the village, Wisteria Cottage.

Kevin Sproul, reigning J/80 UK National Champion, will also be back in the Class for the HYS Nationals, but he will face strong and new competition this year.

In addition to several new owners in the J/80 Class, including Vicci Gregory and Rob Larke of Joystick, who have dominated the early spring one-design events on the Solent, the charity Toe In The Water will be entering three J/80s for the HYS Nationals. Toe In The Water aims to use competitive sailing to re-inspire injured servicemen and women in order to assist them in seeing beyond their disability.

The HYS J/80 and 1720 UK Nationals promises to be an exciting and hard fought event, and strong entry levels are expected, boosted by the generous sponsorship of Hamble Yacht Services. The Notice of Race and Entry Form are online now at www.j-uk.com.