About The Route

We have worked hard and listened to the 2006 Challenge feeback and other senior sailing figures to bring you what we consider to be the most diverse sailing programme available in any challenge along the south coast of the United Kingdom. Almost every sailing discipline will be provided from overnight crossing of the English Channel to short 'around-the-cans' racing, of short duration but high adrenaline. Add to that some of the finest scenery in the UK and some social events rick in wow factor, and you'll understand why we are so proud of the Le Tournoi Challenge and so confident that it will in time grow to become a major event in the south coast sailing calendar.

 

Race 1 - Portsmouth to Western Solent

Race 1 will start at 10:30 on Monday 8th September. Designed as a 'shake-down' race, you will be given a good opportunity to put your yacht through its paces before the first crossing of the Channel. The Organising Committee have been asked to design a race which combines short round-the-cans racing with some longer stretches to also enable your crew to get to know the boat better and to start working more closely as a team.

 

Any defects or other issues will be resolved during the rest period at the end of Race 1 before the start of the next leg.

Race 2 - Western Solent to St Peter Port

Your first real test of endurance - a 90Nm night crossing of the English Channel, starting at 18:00. The busiest shipping lanes in the world become your home for around 18 hours as you head south to Guernsey. You'll be considering splitting your crew into watches to ensure maxinum effectiveness on deck for the race, although some of you may find your crews are reluctant to sleep, preferring to stay on deck to enjoy the whole experience of the passage!

 

Course to Follow

 

St Peter Port Marina ranks amongst the prettiest and most hospitable in the United Kingdom		An official reception in the grounds of Castle Cornet, hosted by the Guernsey Government and Admiral Sir Fabian Malbon, Patron of the Sailing Challenge will be the highlight of the stay in Guernsey

 

 

 

Guernsey Bay Race  

The Guernsey and Jersey bay racing do not form part of the overall race standings - the reason for this is that we are giving entries the opportunity to be flexible with their yachts (ie enabling families, clients or colleagues to participate for the experience) without this affecting their chances of winning the overall Challenge.

 

The Guernsey Bay Race is being kindly organised by Guernsey Yacht Club and we are delighted that the course agreed will take the fleet around the stunning islands of Herm and Sark - some 20Nm around a route which combines a tough navigational challenge with some of the most beautiful scenery in the British Isles.

 

Course to Follow

 

 

 

The smaller islands of Herm (left) and Sark (right) will provide a stunning backdrop to the Guernsey Bay Racing day but beware - your navigation skills will be severely tested in these challenging waters

 

Race 3 - St Peter Port to St Helier

Following the stay in Guernsey, we head south to Jersey, starting off at 08:30 on Thursday 11th. Upon arrival in Jersey, you'll be anchoring in St Aubin's Bay to enjoy a bird's eye view of the Jersey International Air Display, one of the UK's largest free air displays. Having taken delivery of a gourmet buffet lunch and a few bottles of champagne in St Peter Port, what better way to sit back, relax and enjoy the Red Arrows and the vast array of other aircraft in the company of your crewmates.

 

Course to Follow

Rounding La Corbiere, the southernmost lighthouse in the British Isles, you'll be hugging some of the most beautiful coastline in Jersey on the way to the finish line		One of the Challenge highlights will be a bird's eye view of the International Air Display, a gourmet lunch and a few glasses of champagne

 

Jersey Bay Racing

Friday 12th will see the fleet compete in the confines of St Aubin's Bay over two 90-minute races, around a course currently being designed by St Helier Yacht Club, who have kindly agreed to act as Organising Committee for the day. There is an opportunity to take families out into the bay to see the racing close-up, so if you have access to a motor boat, then please feel free to do so.

 

Race 4 - St Helier to Cowes

After a relaxing morning on Saturday, Race 4 sees the fleet depart Jersey's shores for Cowes, the Mecca of international yachting. This leg will be the longest and will require all of the experiences gained thus far to endure a second night crossing of the Channel, and entering the Solent from the West, you'll be arriving into Cowes late on Sunday afternoon, weather permitting. A final party is scueduled in Cowes - a barbeque reception in the grounds of the beautiful Royal Corinthianh Yacht Club, which overlooks the Solent and south coast of England. 

 

Course to Follow

 

 

Sunrise from the marina front of the Royal Corinthian YC

 

 

 

Race 5 - Cowes to Portsmouth

The Decider! A short hack back across the Solent but with points being awarded for positions, this could be the two hours which decide the overall Sailing Challenge 2008 Champions!