The party continues

From Cowes there is the opportunity to head to Ramsgate Week

The Ramsgate Week On line entry page is now up and running and ready to accept entries.

Once again for the third year running entry fees have not been increased, making Ramsgate Week a top value regatta and the organisers are offering a 50% discount on berthing charges for entries received before 31 May 2009*.

A new "Rock on the Dock" concept has been put in place for 2009 and the dockside marquee with this year have some big name bands to entertain competitors during the week. The club is also putting on a full week of entertainment for those that don't want to rock the night away.

On the water the organisers are continuing to develop the formula they launched in 2008. This includes a flexible programme that accommodates those who want to take a full week's holiday and those only wishing to take a few days off. They have also provided a gap between the end of Cowes Week and the start of Ramsgate Week, for the hardcore wishing to compete in both! Competitors can choose from the following options:

IRC Mid-Week Series: IRC Classes 1-4. Series of three special and coastal races; one race per day from Monday to Wednesday with the Wednesday race being 'Round the Goodwin Sands'. This is a warm up series to the main IRC International Regatta Series and competitors will be treated to some of the most scenic waters with races extending to Botany Bay, the shingle beaches off Deal and the wildlife around the Goodwin Sands.
IRC Regatta Series: IRC Classes 0-4. Series of seven races from Thursday to Saturday; two races on Thursday, two on Friday and three on Saturday.

SailEAST: IRC Classes 1-4. A three race series qualifying for SailEAST. Races will take place on Saturday, as part of the IRC International Series.

X-35 Class - East Coast Open Championships: Series of seven races with two races on Thursday, two on Friday and three on Saturday. Results will be extracted from IRC Class 1. The X-35 class will sail under IRC with all boats using the class handicap. IRC Crew limits not class weight limits will apply.

Class 5 Cruiser: This is intended for the less serious racer with non high tech sails and the use of spinnakers prohibited. There will be two divisions in this class, gold & silver fleets. The Cruiser Class 5 Series starts on Monday with one race each day, finishing on Saturday.

Class 6 Cruiser: This is intended for cruiser sailors or racers who may be shorthanded for the week. There are no sail restrictions for this class. The Cruiser Class 6 Series starts on Monday with one race each day, finishing on Saturday.

For both Cruiser Classes 5 & 6 boats without a current IRC certificate will be issued a RTYC Handicap TCC figure from the Race Committee. Boats holding a current valid IRC certificate will race with a TCC figure equal to the IRC certificate TCC (NOT the non-spinnaker TCC).Handicaps may be adjusted to maintain the spirit of this class.

For more information and to enter, please visit www.ramsgateweek.com.

* Discount only applicable when fees are paid, in full, upon arrival. Maximum two week period, to include 10th-15 August 2009 and will only apply to a full week.