Normandy Race Week on the move

North France regatta relocates to Le Havre

After four years at Deauville, Normandy Sailing Week has moved just a few miles along the coast to Le Havre. Le Havre has a deep water port and is home to three large yachts clubs and their 3,200 members.

Le Havre’s Société des Régates, founded back in 1838 and the oldest sailing club in France, will be placing its club house at the disposal of the crews involved. For crews from the UK wishing to compete access is substantially easier with a direct ferry linking Portsmouth to Le Havre.

The event will take place over three days (four for the Farr 30s) over Friday 4th to Sunday 6th June 2010.

IRC cruiser-racers, one designs and sportsboats will race on the Baie de Seine race zone and the organisers have been keen to internationalise their event - there is an international jury and English is the event's official language.

Links between Le Havre and the English fleets have long been established, with for example the RORC’s annual Cervantes Race.

A varied race schedule will be on offer according to the class -  courses around Le Havre harbour or on coastal courses in the Baie de Seine.

80 boats took part in 2009 while 100 to 130 are expected in 2010, half being IRC.

Shoreside there will be a free crew dinner on Friday evening at Le Havre’s Société des Régates. This will be followed on the Saturday night by a grand soirée, also free of charge at the Palais des Régates, on the beach front.

Notice of Race, reigstrationn and all the information about the event are available here,