FIRST TIMERS GUIDE
If you’re thinking about entering for the first time, here are a few answers to the things you might be wondering about.
The event is organised by a volunteer committee who all work in the industry. They meet each month in Central London and are dedicated to sailing within the industry. They are always looking for new committee members.
The Little Britain Challenge Cup is organised by and for the Construction and Property Industry.
Developers, architects, contractors, consultants, manufacturers and specialist products suppliers and service provider from the industry are invited. They send teams to the event and most participants are high-level industry professionals and decision makers.
If you are unsure of your eligibility to enter please read the Notice of Race section 5.5
Opening for entries for the 2020 regatta will be announced before the end of 2010. The Notice of Race is emailed to all of the previous year’s entrants plus any new enquiries. You can also find copy on this website. To make sure you receive your copy, subscribe to our mailing list, below.
It’s quite simple. Once the NOR/ entry brochure is sent out, you can enter. The entry form is also available on-line.
Complete the entry form and send your payment. We need your company details, your boat details and any extra meal ticket orders.
It is good to order your supper meal tickets early as they do run out. This also helps us plan but you can order extras tickets before the event.
Secure Online payments are accepted using your credit or debit card.
Don’t worry if you don’t have your boat details or crew number when you register. You can provide this later, reserve your place and pay a deposit .
Once your registration and payment have been accepted by the Regatta Office, you’ll then have until the end of July to submit all remaining information and outstanding fees to the Regatta Office.
You will need to provide details before the event of your crew for each race day – this facility will be made available online.
You will be contacted by the Regatta Office to ask if you would like to go on the waiting list and your payment and entry form will be held until a place becomes available. We usually accommodate all those on the waiting list.
If you still want to be part of the LBCC but don’t want to enter a boat, you can book a Social Only entry. The booking form can be completed online.
The event has five races – two on Friday and three on Saturday. The Island Sailing Club Race team [ISC] will manage this year’s racing and set the courses. Committee boat starts as well as ISC line starts will be organised and ‘passage racing’ for the cruising classes.
There will be no Thursday practice or warm-up race organised. This is to keep the running costs of the event down.
It is anticipated that most of the fleet will arrive at Shepards Wharf on Thursday evening. Remaining boats arrive early on Friday morning for registration.
There are many chartering companies based in the Solent. Google them.
Little Britain’s Official Charter Partner is Sunsail Events who we work closely with and have some fantastic charter offers available for the regatta.
Sunsail offers the only matched fleet of Beneteau First 40 yachts available for charter at the Little Britain Challenge Cup. Matched Fleets or One-design fleets offer exciting, accessible racing on identical boats with no handicap rating involved. Crews can test their boats skills, teamwork, strategies and tactics against each other knowing the boats are all ‘equal’.
We also work with other charter companies who generously donate a percentage of their fees to the Little Britain charities.
This year, the social activities will be hosted at the Sugar Store Clubhouse at Shepards Wharf where drinks, food and entertainment will be organised on both evenings. Pontoon parties are organised each day so that that crews can meet up after racing.
Typically, boats finish racing and arrive back in the marina at 4pm. Pontoon parties are organised which are a great way to meet all crews to each other. The marina is bar is open, and food is served from 7.30pm. Live music and DJ’s play until late.
A representative from your boat or company needs to register at the Regatta Race Office in the marina prior to your first race where you will receive your Welcome registration Pack which will include your numbered bow stickers, meal tickets, wristbands, Battle Flag, copies of Sailing Instructions and any give-aways donated by sponsors.
Bow stickers must be affixed to your boat for racing, and the wristbands must be worn at all times, as they allow you entry into the Sugar Store Clubhouse at Shepards Wharf, and the Island Sailing Club.
Boats that are not able to register at the Regatta Office prior to the start of the first race may, in exceptional circumstances, apply to receive their bow stickers and race chart by post and register after completing the first race. This request must be received at the LBCC office before 12:00 on the Friday 18th August.
Once you’ve done all that, relax and enjoy all the great racing and social activities.
Little Britain is supported by the very talented Paul Wyeth: Marina Photography . His regatta photos are displayed on this website. Unfortunately, we don’t have permission to allow others to use . However, the good photos are available to purchase from PWP and you can order them from his website. During the regatta, customers can pre-book Paul’s services to ensure a set of action shots are taken of your crew and boat in race mode.