France

RYS Shipyard

Entries for the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Solent summer celebration of 200 years, the RYS International Bicentenary Regatta, have reached sixty, organisers report, with numbers rising every day.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/153850/image/large-a925a23eec82c3a1749d67f43ff66601.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/153850">Four J-Class yachts will be participating, including the latest confirmed entry Rainbow, who will join Velsheda, Lionheart, and Ranger in the seven days of racing. More latest additions confirming their presence include the William Fife designed Mariquita which was built in 1911 and restored to her former glory in 2003.The 60ft day racer Spectre will also be at the show, helmed by Sir Charles Dunstone. Two time Olympic Silver Medallist Nick Rogers will be taking charge of tactics onboard. He says “The International Bicentenary is going to be a great event and we are really looking forward to using it as a platform to get Spectre going.” Completed only last autumn, this will be the first time that the Persico Marine-built flyer will be seen showing her full potential in the UK.The pair will be contesting a competitive IRC fleet, sailing alongside other classic yachts such as Saskia and Tomahawk, and grand prix racers ranging from Mike Slade’s Leopard to Piet Vroon’s winning Tonnere of Breskens.Furthermore, Royal Varuna Yacht Club, a competitive racing club located in a tropical paradise just two hours from Bangkok is fielding a team for the Bicentenary’s Level Rating class. Their crews will be sailing against a number of other club teams.By Gemma Fottles