Sir Robin and Suhaili sign up for Hamble Classics Regatta

Robin Knox-Johnston aboard Suhaili at the finish of the 1968 Sunday Times Golden Globe Race. Photo: Bill Rowntree/PPL

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, an honorary member of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, and his famous round-the-world yacht, the Bermudan Ketch Suhaili, have signed up for the Hamble Classics Regatta.

The British sailing legend, who was the first person to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in 1968-69, has joined the line-up of 45 classic yachts registered to compete in the first dedicated classic yacht regatta in the River Hamble.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston at the race finish aboard Chamois and views of the fleet as they progressed through London. Credit: Rachel Hedley/Little Ship Club

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston. Credit: Rachel Hedley/Little Ship Club

The regatta is being hosted and run by the Royal Southern Yacht Club on 24-25 September. Club members with classic motor boats have also been invited to attend.

The notice of race including eligibility rules, current entry list, and online entry is at: https://www.royal-southern.co.uk/Afloat/On-line-Entry/Hamble-Classics-Regatta

Event charities announced as The Cirdan Sailing Trust and WetWheels Hamble.

During the Hamble Classics Regatta weekend there are opportunities to race aboard the Cirdan Sailing Trust’s 70 foot vintage gaff-rigged yawl, the 1912 Duet, or you can enjoy a day’s fishing trip aboard the Wetwheels Hamble powerboat (on a separate date to suit the successful bidder).

To bid for one or more of seven available crewing places to sail aboard Duet (with skipper Alex Carpenter and mate Paul Collins) deliver a bid in a sealed envelope together with your name, address and telephone number to the Royal Southern Sailing Office by 1 September 2016. The minimum bid per place is £100 for two days sailing and the highest bids will secure the places. The bidding rules are available at the sailing office and please note that young people under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

For those who prefer a day’s fishing you are are invited to bid for groups of six to eight people aboard the WetWheels Hamble Cheetah Powerboat from £1,000, on a date to be mutually agreed (after the Hamble Classics Regatta weekend). The highest bid will secure the trip. Please deliver your bid in a sealed envelope together with your name, address and telephone number to the Royal Southern Sailing Office by 1 September 2016. Again, the bidding rules are available at the sailing office, contact: sailing@royal-southern.co.uk

Parade of Sail

On Saturday 24 September at around 2pm, weather permitting and with the necessary permissions in place, organisers are planning for the entire Hamble Classics fleet to finish their final race of the day on the Royal Southern Club line – a spectacle not to be missed!