Posted: 18/04/2012
The Channel Islands' sailing community is gearing up for the biggest race of the summer. Entry forms for the 2012 Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race are now available.
The race between the two islands is organised by Guernsey Yacht Club and is held annually in June. Last year, despite rescheduling, it attracted nearly 70 yachts which competed for 23 awards. The categories include the overall race winner, first bilge keel, first Melges 24, first Beneteau, first quarter tonner, first family boat and first young skipper.
The race course alternates between the islands and this year the race will start in St Peter Port, Guernsey and finish in St Helier, Jersey before the evening supper, prize-giving and entertainment in a marquee at St Helier Yacht Club.
Last year's race saw Jersey taking the main honours with three of the top five overall positions filled by Sarnian yachts.
Jackana, skippered by David Jones, completed the crossing between the islands to take the top spot in a corrected time of four hours and 54 minutes.
Colin Taylor, commodore of St Helier Yacht Club, said: “The Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race is extremely popular among the Channel Islands yachting community who enjoy the opportunity to compete against boats from the other islands and further afield. This year the evening of prize-giving and entertainment is being held in a marquee at the St Helier Yacht Club and promises to be a good night after a day of competitive sailing.”
Alex Ohlsson, managing partner of Carey Olsen in Jersey and skipper of the yacht Jai Ho, said: “This is the third year Carey Olsen has sponsored the Inter- Island Yacht Race and we're looking forward to another great turn out of up to 450 sailors taking part. The race features competitors from Guernsey, Jersey and the UK which works perfectly for Carey Olsen as our business operates across all these locations.
“I'm looking forward to competing again and hopefully improving on our fifth place in last year's race.”
The Carey Olsen Inter-Island Yacht Race starts at 11.30am on Saturday 16 June in St Peter Port and finishes in St Helier.
Entry forms are available now from the Guernsey Yacht Club or the St Helier Yacht Club or email: gyc@cwgsy.net or download at www.careyolseninterislandyachtrace.com/
Photo caption: (L-R) Alex Ohlsson, managing partner of Carey Olsen in Jersey and Colin Taylor, commodore of St Helier Yacht Club.