Carmela Cup requests for invite open

#rockupandrace for RYA Two-Boat Keelboat Team Racing Championship

15 Feb 24

Four Royal Thames YC's Sonars sailing downwind with spinnakers flying, with the crew in the keelboat nearest to the camera pushing out the spinnaker pole. Blue skies and sunshine!

Requests for Invite for the RYA Two-Boat Keelboat Team Racing Championship for the Carmela Cup are now being accepted.

The Royal Thames Yacht Club will again be hosting the Championship at Queen Mary Reservoir, West London, on the 13/14th April 2024, but for the first time the event will be raced for in Sonars.

With the acquisition of a new fleet of Sonars last year, the event will be bigger and better than before allowing more teams the chance to compete.

Mixed teams of eight sailors are encouraged to request an invite ASAP. Even with the increased capacity, the event is expected to be oversubscribed again.

Full details for the event can be found on the Official Noticeboard at Royal Thames YC. Requests must be submitted by midnight on Sunday 3^rd March and invites will be issued by Friday 8^th March.

Those looking to get up to speed in the Sonars may want to also check out the club’s Hot Rum Random Pairs Team Racing on Sunday 3^rd March, also at Queen Mary Reservoir.

Winning combination

RYA Keelboat Development Manager Richard Moxey said: “The RYA is pleased to be working with the Royal Thames Yacht Club to deliver this top level team racing event.

“The move to Sonars will make this event more intriguing than normal as the boats now lend themselves to being sailed by different physiques, especially when compared to the old J/80s. I can’t wait to see who comes out on top!”

Jack Fenwick, Sailing Development Manager for the Royal Thames Yacht Club, commented: “The Carmela Cup has evolved a lot in recent years and we see more and more dinghy team racers cutting their teeth in keelboat racing at this event.

“Adding spinnakers to the mix really challenges the sailors and means there is always a route back in to a winning combination. I’m lucky enough to have competed in this event on multiple occasions and I have never failed to have a great time.”

Winners of the Championship will be invited to the Royal Thames Prize Winners’ Dinner, one of the social highlights of the year, where they will be presented with the elegant Carmela Cup.

For any questions about this or the Hot Rum Random Pairs please contact Jack Fenwick or find further information at Royal Thames Yacht Club.