All change at Petit Bateau

A new name and the appointment of a PRO

Petit Bateau, organisers of single-handed races since 2004 and the successful Solo Racing Festival, recently announced their name change to the Solo Offshore Racing Club.

Continuing to run under the management of Paul Peggs, Peter Olden and Jerry Freeman, the Solo Offshore Racing Club, continues to support and expand solo racing in the UK through a series of day races that both encourage new comers and test the experienced skippers.

The 2010 race programme has been published and includes established events such as RIOW solo, Channel week and the Solent Solo Series. New for 2010 are two passage race weekends, to Poole and to Weymouth, designed specifically to encourage skippers who wish to try solo racing for the first time and in familiar waters.

Race Director Peter Olden is very up beat on the prospects for the 2010 solo season: "We are expecting a record entry for our Round the Isle of Wight Solo which starts on Saturday April 24th," he said. "RIOW Solo is a real test for singlehanders and is always keenly contested.

"We plan to broaden the Solo racing calendar in 2010 and in doing so aim to ensure our racing is of the highest standard, while continueing to foster the friendly spirit within the club, make new competitors welcome and help them develop wherever possible."

The club also organise the Solo Racing Festival in Southampton, this popular event has moved to a bigger venue in the Solent University Conference Centre to accommodate the growing numbers of solo enthusiasts attending on Saturday March 6 2010.

To celebrate the ten years since a small group of solo sailors formed Petit Bateau in the winter of 2000 the founders have planned a supper meeting to coincide with the London Boat show and welcome friends old and new to the Master Gunner on Thursday, 14 January.

The Solo Offshore Racing Club have today announced the appointment of David Giddings as the new club’s Principal Race Officer.

Giddings is a former Rear Commodore Sailing of the Royal Southampton Yacht Club and is a Principal Race Officer for Cowes Week. His extensive experience as an organiser and race officer includes the popular RSYC Double Handed Series and the Biscay Challenge.

Giddings commented: "Having raced in many double handed events in the past, I am aware what short-handed racing involves. I am delighted to be taking on this role and greatly look forward to seeing some familiar faces on the solo race courses".

All of the club's Directors and Race Committee have raced under Giddings' watch at some stage and his experience and professionalism coupled with his friendly approach to competitors make him the ideal person for this important role.

The appointment of David represents a significant step in the development of the club from the very strong base established during the first ten years as Petit Bateau.

Last but not least the Solo Offshore Racing Club has launched a new web site - www.offshoresolo.com. Here tickets to the Solo Racing Festiva can be purchased.