The Royal Western Yacht Club has announced that the entry process is open for the Double Handed Round Britain and Ireland Race 2022.
Acting Rear Commodore Oceanic and Race Director, Adrian Gray said, “We are excited to announce the new format for this classic, well known race. We are also delighted to announce our stop over hosts; the Galway Bay Sailing Club, the Royal Northumberland Yacht Club, our long-term friends in Shetland and those at the Lerwick Boating Club. This new course provides safer harbour entries and a better race balance. The legs will be of a similar length to the 2024 Olympic double-handed offshore event, so it is a fantastic training opportunity for those who have their sights set on Olympic Gold.
“The RB&I 2022 will also permit changes of crew, providing for those who wish to start testing themselves in the world of short-handed racing and also recognising that time away from home and work can be a deterrent to entering. There is clearly a real appetite for this type of racing, with each member of the crew having more responsibility and more impact on the overall performance of the boat. Crew changes will be allowed at each stopover within this new format: One of the crew, the boats designated ‘skipper’, will be required to be aboard for a minimum of two consecutive legs”.
One the early pioneers of solo sailing and RWYC member, Blondie Hasler, proposed the first RB&I back in 1966. The 2,000-mile course was originally split into five legs, but with modern yacht designs and time-pressures, today the course lends itself to a shorter overall length whilst maintaining the same oceanic challenges.
To express an interest in entering the RB&I email: rbandi@rwyc.org
rwyc.org/oceanic-racing/round-britain-and-ireland-yacht-race
