Marlin Spike Rum John Broughton European Cup and UK Snipe Nationals - Preview
by Sue Roberts 7 Aug 02:06 NZST
15-18 August 2024
Snipe racing © Erwin Van Iseghem
A Snipe is a two-person sailing dinghy designed in 1931 that has evolved into a modern, tactical racing dinghy. The class association (SCIRA) has fleets in more than 30 countries and almost 32,000 boats have been built. The Snipe can be sailed by a range of ages and abilities. Racing is always competitive at local and international levels and the onshore parties are never dull.
The UK Snipe sailing class is once again returning to the River Blackwater, Essex where Stone Sailing Club will host both the UK Nationals and John Broughton European Cup. Stone SC historically had a very large fleet of Snipes and always give us a warm welcome whenever we return.
With only two weeks to go there are already 49 entrants. Along with UK sailors, we have participants from Finland, Poland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Spain, Brazil, Japan and the USA. Due to many Snipe UK sailors wanting to participate we have very few charter boats and so sailors are driving with their own boats from as far as Melilla (a Spanish enclave in North Africa!!), Poland and Orkney. Our youngest competitor is 12yrs old and our oldest is 79!
Stone SC's race office, Neil Fulcher, will be working with the SCIRA Rep, Jerelyn Biehl to ensure great racing with 9 races scheduled over 4 days.
Each boat racing will have a SailRacer GPS tracker on board which will allow people all over the World to tune in and watch the racing live. Pop-up ads will give our sponsors great coverage. With top world-class Snipe sailors competing for the top spot, racing will be close and exciting to view. Follow the action here.
With the Snipe Class motto being "Serious sailing, Serious fun" our title sponsor, Belgium based Marlin Spike Rum, will ensure everyone has a good time at their Welcome cocktail party using their Caribbean blended rum as the base of their cocktails. Maldon Salt are not only providing goodies and a fab raffle prize, but also salt for the Rum based margaritas!!!
A games evening, dancing until late and a "Dress to Impress" dinner with live band will give everyone a chance to let their hair down.
More specialist Marlin Spike Rum digestifs (Atlantic and Pacific) will be served after the celebratory dinner.
Alongside Marlin Spike Rum, we are very fortunate to have fabulous donations from other great sponsors:
SuperSpars (based in Hampshire) - a mast, Marlin Spike Rum with Portuguese sail maker PL Sails - a suit of sails, Allen - chandlery parts, Tiptree Jam - goodies for the welcome pack, Antonelli & Carpigiani - ice cream desert, Ramsey Island Brewery - beer for everyone after racing with the event logo on the can!
Stone Sailing Club and the Snipe Class have always worked closely together to deliver "Serious Sailing and Serious Fun!!" and now it is time for some of our friends from Europe and further afield to experience it first-hand!
Many thanks to our wonderful sponsors who will help make the event a very memorable one.