Southern Sailing Action this Weekend
Info thanks to Mick Kneale
This May Bank holiday weekend will see at least 40 visiting yachts in Port St Mary. The HAMBLIN Round Mann race starts 8am Sunday from
the Alfred Pier (breakwater). Up to a dozen entrants are expected to race round the island anti-clockwise.
Spectators may also see the yachts rounding Langness between 8.30 and 9.30am. The light easterly breezes look set to continue right into next week, so the race is unlikely to break any records but much tactical prowess will be needed to deal with the tidal gates.
The race coincides with one of the biggest single gatherings of yachts in the port since the Manx Millennium on 1979.Over 30 “Westerly” yachts from all round the North Irish Sea have already entered this rally.Most of these will be bilge-keelers and can therefore comfortably dry out in the inner harbour – perhaps crossing the whole harbour from boat to boat may be possible, echoing the days of the sailing fishing fleet in the late 1800s.
This is the first time the Westerly Owners Association has brought their annual rally to the IOM, at the invitation of the IOM Yacht Club in general and Mike Pollard in particular.The programme includes a coach tour, a fun yacht race at Castletown and entertainment in the club.