Bumper entry of 109 boats representing 44 different classes for Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash
by Andy Rice 16 Nov 2023 13:26 PST
18-19 November 2023
Seldén SailJuice Winter Series: Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash is set to get this season's eight-event Seldén SailJuice Winter Series off to a rip-roaring start, with a great weather forecast and a bumper entry of 109 boats representing 44 different dinghy, catamaran and keelboat classes. Ages of the competitors range from 11 to 76 years old.
Entry closed on Monday with 109 boats being the third highest entry for the Dash and not far off the record. After last winter's low entries amidst a cost-of-living crisis, is this a sign of confidence returning and a desire to get back racing through the winter months? With seven more events to come after the Draycote Dash is done, we'll see if the upswing is set to continue.
Biggest entry numbers are for the various types of ILCA singlehanders, with a total of 25 across the three rig sizes. There are also nine RS Aeros and a whole smattering of single entries across a range of singlehanders including a K1 keelboat helmed by Simon Hawkes.
It's always good to see the three-hulled Challengers who have become regular participants on the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series. Regular Challenger competitor Val Millward even considers the Sailjuice fraternity as her 'family', as there are so many repeat customers from various classes they have all become very friendly with each other across the usual class divide.
The Usual Suspects (and some less usual ones too)
This year's Dash has also attracted some of the big names of the UK dinghy racing scene including the team that continue to take out so many national titles between them, Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray who are racing the Scorpion at Draycote this weekend.
Others of note include former SailJuice Winter Series winner Michael Sims in a 505 crewed by Adam Kenney, national and world champion in multiple dinghy classes Sam Pascoe in a Musto Skiff, and RS200 stars Ben Whaley and Lorna Glen. RS200 National Champion Arran Holman is racing a 470 with Alex Hughes, and other champions racing their usual steeds are Jonathan Carter in the Vortex and Luke Fisher in the RS Vareo.
Aside from some well-represented fleets like the 420 and Topper are a number of classes not often seen in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series including the ISO, Javelin and Miracle among many others. It's a good reminder that pretty much whatever boat you choose to bring, chances are the Great Lakes Handicap Group have got a number for you.
A number of sailors have already signed up for multiple events in the Series, with 42 entering two or more events and 16 entering four or more. If you missed entering in time for the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash then make sure you don't miss out on the next ones, and sign up now: www.sailjuiceseries.com
Of the 44 different classes entered for the Dash, 14 classes have more than three entries which makes them eligible for the Top Class Rankings.
Of the 48 clubs represented, seven have more than three entries which makes them eligible for the Top Club Rankings.
The Seldén Sticker Competition
Last year's bow sticker competition was a big success and we're running it again. This time if you get your boat stickered up you have the chance of winning a Seldén T-shirt and stainless steel tie-on block from the S30 range.
Online Briefing - Be Prepared!
It will be a busy weekend for competitors with four back-to-back handicap races on the Saturday and a double-points Pursuit Race on the Sunday morning. If you want to drop your boats off on the Friday night you're welcome to do so. But as it says in the briefing video below, for those wanting to drop their boats after dusk (about 4pm) MUST contact the club beforehand as the front gate will be closed.
The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2023/24:
Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club
18 & 19 November 2023
Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
9 & 10 December 2023
Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
27 December 2023
Gill Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club
30 December 2023
GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club
6 January 2024
King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
20 January 2024
John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
3 & 4 February 2024
Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
17 February 2024
Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough
24 February 2024