RLYC

Lymington Optimist Open - Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May 2022

We're looking forward to welcoming 70 Main Fleet and 32 Regatta Fleet sailors to our Lymington Optimist Open, taking place at Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th May.

We're delighted that so many leading oppie sailors from across the country are coming to race at our open event at Royal Lymington! Of sailors selected to represent Great Britain this summer, there will be 5/5 of the Worlds Team, 6/6 of the Euros Team, 11/11 of Dev1 Team, 11/16 of Dev2 Team and 13/20 of the Junior Irish Team! A great line up for what will hopefully be a cracking event for all participants in both Main Fleet and Regatta Fleet.

Read on for useful information for competitors and their families about the event...

Welcome to Royal Lymington!

A warm welcome awaits you at the Royal Lymington Yacht Club - throughout the event all competitors and their families/ guardians are most welcome in our clubhouse. On the ground floor you will find our changing facilities, security lockers and training rooms. Upstairs relax in our family-friendly restaurant and bar (and sun terraces too if the weather permits!), that have arguably the most picturesque views in Lymington.

If you are accompanying children to the event, do come upstairs and make yourselves at home whilst the sailors are out on the water - the Club is situated in a stunning riverside location with a great vantage point when they are sailing back up the river! There will be pastries, snacks and drinks available all day. If you would like a table for lunch or dinner, we highly recommend that you book a table in advance by calling 01590 671751 (Find samples menus here).

Arrival information

The car park will have two areas cordoned off from 16:00 on Friday 27th May, one for visiting Main Fleet dinghies and one for visiting Regatta Fleet dinghies - see the map in the Event Information Pack for exact details, along with useful information about parking, where to leave trailers, places to stay etc. Local sailors should rig and rerig in the Balance Pond area as normal.

Sailors rigging in the cordoned areas of the car park, please be sure to keep completely clear of the red RNLI parking spaces at all times to ensure that our Lifeboat crew can access them in the event of an emergency.

Registration from 08:00

The Club will be open from 08:00 on both days. Registration will take place adjacent to the south side of the Club near the side gate (slipway side). There will be a Pop-Up Breakfast Bar serving hot drinks and delicious breakfast baps for you to enjoy whilst rigging. After registration this area will magically transform into a Tuck Shop, laden with snacks and drinks for hungry sailors.

Event programme - competitor briefing 09:15

Our event programme can be found in the Event Information Pack. Please note the Competitor Briefing will take place at 09:15 on Saturday 28th May on the paved area to the south of the clubhouse near the slipway.

Volunteers

Many thanks to all who have volunteered to help during the event. Timings for Race Team, Safety and Slipway Briefings are detailed in the event information.

Our events wouldn’t be able to go ahead without the kind assistance of volunteers. If you are willing and able to help on the water during the event, please contact our club office on sail@rlymyc.org.uk.

Tally Off Takeaway included in your entry!

Main Fleet and Regatta Fleet entry includes a hot meal for each sailor after racing each day. These will be served "takeaway style" by the Burrard-Neale memorial gas lamp adjacent to the clubhouse. Saturday: Chicken Goujons with Chips. Sunday: Fish Goujons with Chips.

We hope that everyone has a fantastic event, both on and off the water! Good luck to all competitors!