A packed programme afloat and ashore for the Royal Solent Yacht Club Contessa Regatta 2025
by Oliver Dewar 14 Apr 08:47 UTC
16-18 May 2025
Royal Solent Yacht Club Contessa Regatta © RSYC
Competitor registration for the 2025 Royal Solent Yacht Club Contessa Regatta (Friday 16 - Sunday 18 May) is already open with early entry indicators suggesting that the racing fleet of 27 boats last year will be dramatically increased this season for the RSYC's third edition of the event.
Based in Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, the RSYC will host the regatta and provide five races over the weekend in the Western Solent including a hectic schedule of shore-based entertainment with the event's main sponsors, Jeremy Rogers Ltd. and Maison Louis Jadot supported by Hall Hunter Partnership.
The four racing divisions feature Contessa 32 (Inshore Points Series 2), Contessa 28 (National Championships), Contessa 26 (National Championships) and - racing together under NHC - Contessa 35, 38, 39 and 43. Contessa sailors are a notoriously social group and with a refreshing approach to South Coast competitive sailing, the regatta invites non-racing Contessa boats and crews to join the event.
Furthermore, while the racing fleet completes three races on Saturday, the non-racing teams will be equally challenged by the 'Solent Quest'; a hybrid of treasure hunt plus an undertaking of unusual, onboard activities to be verified by photograph: a truly imaginative innovation organised by Guy and Zoe Darby of Contessa 32 Ripple of Kyle.
The 2025 Royal Solent Yacht Club Contessa Regatta opens on Friday evening with the Maison Louis Jadot Maçon - Lugny Drinks Reception on the RSYC's beachfront lawn and on Saturday evening, a Rum Punch Party at the yacht club hosted by Jeremy Rogers Ltd. is followed by supper and live music.
Following two races on Sunday, the prize-giving will be held at the RSYC with each class-winner taking home a magnum of Louis Jadot Moulin-à-Vent Château des Jacques with a jeroboam of this outstanding Beaujolais for the regatta's overall winner.
The Royal Solent Yacht Club, Jeremy Rogers Ltd. and Maison Louis Jadot are looking forward to hosting another classic Contessa regatta both on the water and ashore.
RSYC Contessa Regatta 2025 Notice of Race can be found here (PDF format).