2013 UK Nationals & Grand Nationals
27 July - 2 August 2013 - Loo, East Looe, Cornwall, United Kibgdom
Facebook Event Page
The UKFA are delighted to announce that in 2013 the UK National Championships will be sailed from Looe Sailing Club.
Looe Sailing Club is in East Looe. Boats are kept on the seafront so it is recommened to stay in East Looe if you want to be really close to the action. There is a lovely sandy beach very close to where the boats are stored perfect for those with families.
The Grand National
The Grand National was created in 1999 to give European fireballers another opportunity to meet and compete beside the annual European championship. Every year one national championship of three or more days is designated as the Fireball Grand National. In 2013 it will be the UKs turn to welcome Fireballers from abroad looking for a great weeks racing. This means that in addition to the UK trophies the perpetual Winder Boats Grand National Trophy will also be up for grabs.
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Racing
10 Race Series, using line and/or gate starts. 2 races a day are scheduled. There is a reserve day on the Wednesday. Races are generally around 1 hour in length. Time on the water varies, typically 3 to 4 hours. The course tend to be a triangle, sausage, triangle course with the first reach of the triangle tighter and the second reach broader. The finish is typically at the leeward mark or half way up the final beat.
On the water everyone races as one fleet. Off the water results are divided into Gold, Silver and Bronze Fleets so that everyone has something to race for. In addition there are category prizes for Classic Fireballs, Youth sailors, Lady Helm & Lady Crew and much more. Plus there are individual race trophies for the ten races.
We will also be buddying up people for the week to share knowledge and experiences. If you have never been to a National Championships before Looe could be the perfect venue for you! The UKFA commitee is working very closely with the Looe Sailing Club who will be pulling out all the stops to make sure you the competitors have a fantastic week, both sailing and socialising!
Online Entry
Notice of Race
Provisional Programme
- Saturday 27th July: Arrival, Measurement & Registration and time for a practice sail.
- Sunday 28th July: Races & Commodores Reception
- Monday 29th July: Races & Buddy Night and UKFA AGM
- Tuesday 30th July: Races and evening party
- Wednesday 31st July: Reserve Day
- Thursday 1st August: Races
- Friday 2nd August: Races & Prize Giving and Party
More details about the week will be added to this page as they become available. Please keep checking for updates. If you have any questions or thoughts about the event please contact Nationals Co-ordinator Jeremy Hurst
Club Info
Looe Sailing Club was founded in 1934 and soon established itself as one of the leading sailing clubs in the south-west of England producing numerous top quality sailors competing locally in some of the most popular dinghy classes in the UK, as well as many national sailing champions. Over the years, youth sailing and regular well organised training programmes have attracted sailing families throughout the region to the Club.
The town is geared to tourism, and there is a comprehensive range of accommodation available, from camping and caravaning, to self-catering flats, B&B's and first class hotels. For the more energetic there are coastal and inland footpaths and walks with magnificent views. There is an excellent 18-hole golf course within a 5 minute drive, and also popular with visitors are the tennis courts and bowling and putting greens. Boating and fishing trips are readily available, together with the opportunity to visit, by local ferry, the historic Looe Island (St George's Island). The quay also supports several traditional Looe Luggers, some of which are available short and longer trips. The headquarters of the Shark Angling Club of Great Britain is in Looe, and a wide variety of water sports can be enjoyed on nearby Millendreath beach, including diving, jet-skiing and paragliding. For many Looe's charm lies in its narrow streets, for others it is the never ending activity of its harbour and beaches.
But apart from the attraction of the town itself, the surrounding area is worth visiting. A regular bus service operates daily from Looe to the nearby picturesque village of Polperro, and Bodmin Moor and the infamous Jamaica Inn is a short drive to the north. A 30-minute drive to the east takes the visitor to the historic and bustling City of Plymouth with its large shopping centre and centres of entertainment. The recently opened National Marine Aquarium has already established itself as one of the most visited place of interest in the UK while close to the nearby fish market are the cobbled streets of the Barbican and the Mayflower steps, from where the Pilgrim Fathers set sail for America. On Plymouth Hoe, with its view of Drake's Island, the Dome records the maritime history of Plymouth. For entertainment the city offers a Warner Village multi-cinema complex, the Theatre Royal, and Plymouth Pavilions which as well as offering top class entertainment, also boasts an ice-rink, swimming pool and a selection of coffee shops and restaurants.
The unspoiled vastness of Dartmoor is also close by, and in the summer months there are regular trains, buses and coaches operating services to all places of local interest from Looe.
The Tourist Information Office is open throughout the year and provides more detailed, current information on both events and accommodation. They can be reached on 01530 262072 or on their web site.
We hope this has given you an insight into the delights of Looe and its surrounding area, and would add that we always get good weather for our Championship week!
Accommodation
- lovelooe.co.uk
- http://www.cottageslooe.co.uk/
- http://www.cornishcollection.co.uk/
- http://www.holidaycottageslooe.co.uk/
- http://www.holidaylettings.co.uk/
- http://www.looedirectory.co.uk/
- http://www.visit-southeastcornwall.co.uk/
- www.looeandpolperroholidays.co.uk
- www.tolooeandbeyondholidaylets.co.uk
Directions
Looe has been hosting National and World championships since the 1960's. The combination of a family holiday resort and excellent sailing waters makes Looe a favourite with many fleets. It is no surprise that list of fleets visiting Looe continues to grow.
Looe is easily accessed Via the M5/A38 Devon Expressway and is a busy, thriving fishing port, with excellent beaches, restaurants, cafes and pubs all within 100m of the Sailing Club. The dinghy park is right next to the main beach. Sailing families will undoubtedly appreciate this fact. The sandy beach is very safe and lies within a few metres of the main launching slip. This is ideal for the non-sailing part of the family who can relax whilst competitors get down to some serious racing.
The town is geared to tourism and there is a comprehensive range of accommodation available; from camping, caravanning, self-catering flats and B&B's to first class hotels. For the more energetic there are various coastal footpaths and inland walkways, with magnificent views. We have an excellent 18-hole golf course within a five-minute drive. The tennis courts, bowling and putting greens are also popular, together with a choice of boating and fishing trips. The local diving centre offers opportunities for the more adventurous who may wish to explore the local artificial reef.
For many Looe's charm lies in its narrow streets for others it is the never-ending activity of its harbour and beach. Outside of the town the surrounding area is worth a visit. Bodmin Moor and the infamous Jamaica Inn is a short drive to the North, while 30 minutes drive to the East takes you to the Historic and busy city of Plymouth. This City offers a chance to shop and visit the National Marine Aquarium.
Looe's Tourist Information office can be contacted on 01503 262072. You can find good accommodation information if you log onto enjoyengland.com and look for Looe in the index.
We look forward to seeing you in Looe where a warm and friendly welcome awaits you.
Venue Directions:
Looe is located in South East Cornwall approximately 20 miles West of Plymouth. Those of you with Sat Nav can use the postcode PL13 1AL, which will bring you to the Dinghy Park.
As a general guide you should head for the South West of England, setting your direction for the City of Plymouth Via the M5/A38 Devon Expressway.
Once within 5 miles of Plymouth you should look for signs for Cornwall and Liskeard which will bring you across the Tamar Bridge into Cornwall. After a further 8 to 10 miles Looe itself will become sign posted.
The Dinghy Park is in East Looe and you should descend into Looe on the East side with the river on your right. Once you pass the Petrol Station take the next left into the town and follow the one-way traffic flow, which will take you to the dinghy park.
As a guide the Harbour Moon Pub is in West Looe and the Petrol Station is in East Looe. You need to be in East Looe
If you do enter Looe from the West or with the river on your left then cross the bridge and turn right as soon as you have got to the East side.
You will pass through the narrowing Fore Street onto Higher Market Street, continue until the river appears in front of you. Access the dinghy park near the Lifeboat station to your left.
You must now follow the championship arrival process.
Championship Arrival Process
Looe is a busy holiday resort during the summer and when you arrive for your championship you will have probably just completed a long tiring journey.
We aim to make your arrival and registration as smooth as possible whilst ensuring we meet our obligation to keep everybody safe and traffic flowing, so please follow the process below.
If you will be arriving before the Saturday morning or after 6pm on the Saturday please call us to let us know. Additionally call us if you have a large towing vehicle or trailer. Normal 4x4's and double dinghy trailers can navigate the streets with care but anything larger will need special support and guidance (Call 07742942402 between 9am and 9pm or text outside these hours).
If you follow the Venue directions page you will be guided to the RNLI Lifeboat house at the entrance to the dinghy park.
Between 9am and 6pm on Saturday our reception team will be there to assist you.
Due to the volume of traffic and limited space we need to have you berthed and your car and trailer away within 15 minutes in order to avoid penalties.
Please follow our team's instructions for parking your vehicle whilst your boat is unloaded.
You will immediately receive a berth number, which will be tagged, on your trolley handle and trailer. Note: Berth/Tally numbers are allocated on arrival these are not an entry number.
As soon as is possible move your boat and sailing equipment to your berth. A member of the reception team will help you find it. Note: Strictly no vehicles or road trailers are permitted in the dinghy park, only launching trolleys.
Immediately you are berthed, please return to the arrival point to transfer you trailer to the trailer park and move your car away. The reception team will provide you with directions to the trailer park.
Once your trailer and car have been safely parked up then you can make your way back to the dinghy park to socialise, commence boat scrutinising. You register at the club house.
