64th Yachtmaster Three Rivers Race - Preview
by Holly Hancock 26 May 21:00 UTC
31 May - 1 June 2025
Iconic scenes from the Three Rivers Race © Holly Hancock
The scene is set for the 64th Yachtmaster Insurance Three Rivers Race taking place this weekend (31st May/1st June) as some 119 competitors make their way to Horning on the Norfolk Broads for the start of the ultimate inland endurance challenge.
Starting from 11am at Horning Sailing Club, boats start in groups of between five to fourteen boats at five-minute intervals across fifteen starts to race around 50 miles of the Norfolk Broads - the Rivers Bure, Ant and Thurne to Ludham Bridge, South Walsham, Hickling Broad and the Lower Bure. Competitors choose their own route given the wind and tide conditions on the day and have 24 hours to complete the course - meaning that many will continue to sail in darkness. To reach Hickling and the Lower Bure, the competitors are required to lower their masts no less than four times under three bridges - two at Potter Heigham and one at Acle - before continuing to race, much to the delight of watching crowds!
First away this year are the mixed dinghies, including the Norfolk One Design dinghies, at just 14 foot one of the smallest boats in the fleet, yet a previous winning boat back in 1985. There are strong turnouts of Yares & Bures, Yeomans and Norfolk Punts - all classes of boat familiar to the Norfolk Broads, as well as fourteen Wayfarer dinghies, a fleet which has featured prominently in the top results of the last few years, including winning in 2022 (Stuart Rix sailing Black Magic) and 3rd place in both 2023 & 2024 (John Clementson sailing Complete Fiasco). A noticeable absence from the starting list this year are the impressive Thames A Raters, but hopefully these will return in 2026, and on the starting list are two Star Keelboats, an ex-Olympic class which is rising in popularity on the Broads thanks to the efforts of the Norfolk Broads Star Fleet. Almost 50 of the starts will be river cruisers, including over 20 hire cruisers from local businesses on the Broads.
The Race has attracted competitors from near and afar over the years and 2025 is no exception, with one boat coming from Cardiff having a crew member making their way 9000 miles from Australia to take part (sailing on an Evolution 19 production cruiser, E Peel, sail number X9). A highlight on the Broads Calendar since its inception in 1961, it's a race steeped in history which features on many sailors' bucket lists, with participants drawn to it for a wide variety of reasons. As always there will be a mix of first-time competitors to the more experienced - from the super competitive to those aiming to complete the course, and those taking part for charity - this year several competitors are participating with the aim of raising funds for charities (independently of the organising Committee) - including the crew on Wayfarer Red Squirrel raising funds for Hemsby Lifeboat, and Hire Cruiser Camellia fundraising for the Ellen McArthur Cancer Trust.
With no one class of boat having dominated the results, much will depend on conditions on the day, but there will be several sailors keen to defend their positions. Last year's winner, Chris Bunn, returns in the same boat, Yare & Bure One Design Fox, aiming for his eighth victory — a win that would make him the most successful sailor in the event's history, as he currently shares the top spot with Stuart Rix. Roger Hannant in Yeoman Firefly will also be keen to draw on the success of the last two years, seeing him finish 2nd (2023) and 4th (2024) respectively, whilst others from last year's top ten will also be competing - Chris Bolton in Yeoman Folly Too, Nick Heath in Broads One Design Dipper and Clive Richardson in River Cruiser Ladybird.
After last year's challenging conditions (likened by many competitors to 'survival' across Hickling Broad), which led to some of the fastest passage times in the Race's history, the Race Organisers will be hoping for somewhat calmer conditions when the race begins on Saturday morning. For those keen to spectate, popular places are the start at Horning and the Bridges, where plenty of the action takes place. if you can't make it in person to see the race, some of the action can be seen via the webcams on Horning Sailing Club's website www.horning-sailing.club. You can find out more about the Race at www.3rr.uk
For 2025, the Three Rivers Race will also be the subject of a photographic competition organised by Norfolk Broads Photos - open to all, on the subject of "Spirit of the Event". More information can be found at www.NorfolkBroads.photos