Racing

An introduction by Tom Brennan, Captain of Racing

Since the formation of the Cumberland fleet to the present day Royal Thames Yacht Club has had a racing heritage of which all members can be proud.   This is clearly seen all around the clubhouse in Knightsbridge where we have pictures and trophies demonstrating Club's heritage.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club is the premier sailing club in the British Isles for both yachtsmen and yachtswomen and members participate in a growing number of yachting events worldwide, with a particular focus on keel boat team racing.

Members race their own yachts iin events around the world, while the Club sends teams to race against our reciprocal clubs and to other invited tournaments.  In the past three years venues for team racing have included the British Virgin Islands, New Orleans, Newport RI, Seawanhaka, Calpe, Valencia  all in addition to ‘home' events in London and on the Solent.  There has also been the celebrated 'ski-yachting in Gstaad.  The Club plans to continue racing in invitation events, and wherever eles we can find the best racing.  There is a full calender for 2008 and this is planned to continue in 2009.

Racing is open to all members and as Captain of Racing I am keen to encourage as many as possible to take part.  To help with this we now grade events into the following formats and look to provide racing at all levels.

Gold level event: International events requiring strong / very strong teams of skilled racers e.g. B A Cup, Wilson Trophy, Lee Trophy etc.

Silver level event: An international or national event requiring medium / strong teams, developing on the skills team-racers should have gained from Bronze events.

Bronze level event: A competitive event requiring a good set of team-racing skills but one aimed at those members (any age) who are keen to improve their team-racing with decent, international experience.

Club event: Club members, of any ability, who can choose to join in fun & competitive team-racing events e.g. Intra-club team-racing during the Spring Excuse, Committee Room Challenge.

 Our racing strategy over the next five years is as follows:

 - To continue support for TEAMORIGIN and the Americas Cup

 - To maintain and develop our position in team racing at international, European and national levels

 - To develop intra-Club team racing amongst our reciprocal clubs

 - To develop a match racing programme.