RVYC Merrydown Regatta : 8 & 9th September 2018

This year's Merrydown Regatta will be held on 8 and 9 September 2018 and promises to be an exciting weekend of activities both on and off the water. Entry is open to :

• Cruiser MultiHull (Mocra)
• Cruiser (VPRS)
• Day Boats
• Fast Handicap Multihulls
• Fast handicap
• Slow Handicap
• Scows

Helms must be members of RYA affiliated clubs.

Each day there will be a long race for the Cruiser class and a maximum of three short races for the other classes. On Saturday the first start is at 1030 and Sunday at 1100.

The Merrydown trophy will be awarded for both day boats and fast handicap fleets racing together in a special race each day.For the Junior Cup we are hoping to have lots of our cadets who are 13 and under racing for their podium places.

In the mouth of the Creek there will also be Scow and Dragon boat racing with lots for spectators to see with Shore-side entertainment and family fun / water activities for all ages with a BBQ on Saturday from 3pm.

For visiting sailors we have pontoon access and moorings available with an option to pitch camp in the RVYC grounds.

Race entry forms, NOR,SIs and the 2018 RVYC race chart are to follow . For any further queries please contact the Duty Manager on 01983 882325 or email office@rvyc.org.uk

We look forward to seeing you on the water!

Merrydown Organising Committee 2018

History of Merrydown Regatta

The origins of the Race date back to 1955 when members of the 'Sailing Section' at Ryde Rowing Club, then located on the Pier at Ryde, discovered the wonderful properties of Merrydown Vintage Cider. Racing began annually for firstly a Magnum of the cider and then, from 1959 when the Merrydown Wine Company first learned about the race, they presented a Methuselah as first prize. The Company's continuing support for the race from that time is the earliest and longest commercial sponsorship of any sporting event.

The present silver Merrydown Trophy was first raced for in 1962 with the winner being Bob Casson of East Cowes SC. The race continued to be held from the Pier until 1970 when the Club had to move to its present site at Appley. Until the Club could continue running the event again, the Royal Victoria Yacht Club hosted the race at Fishbourne 1971-75.

From 1976 the race was staged at Appley until it was no longer feasible for the Club to run it and now, fortunately, it appears to have a bright future being staged at Fishbourne again.

Of the many local Clubs whose members have won the race, Stokes Bay SC has been the most successful with 27 winners, of which Paul Chatfield has won five and Stuart Gummer four times.

Royal Victoria members to have won the Merrydown include John Hoyland (1970), RC Payne (1975) and Martin Harrison (1996 and 2002).

Downloads

• Merrydown NoR V4 4jul18.pdf
• Merrydown poster FINAL 2jul18.pdf
• Merrydown 2018 entry form FINAL 4jul18.pdf

Last updated 09:06 on 14 August 2018