The biggest fleet of Sonar one designs for more than a decade will gather at Cowes Week 2021 for the UK Sonar National Championship which is being run as part of the Regatta.

Sailed by individuals of all abilities, from novice and experienced crews, both with mixed genders and sailors with disabilities, the Sonar fleet in Cowes boasts the largest fleet of 14 boats based between the Island Sailing Club (ISC) and Cowes Corinthian Yacht Club (CCYC).

The initiative to revive the class is being driven by the Andrew Cassell Foundation (ACF) and the CCYC and supported by Sussex Yacht Club (SYC) to give its sailors inspirational targets to progress to.  They are expected to be joined by four boats from SYC, and ACF are also hoping to inspire some more UK boats/charter boats to enter which could bring a total fleet of 20+ boats, making the event as large as the 2019 World Championships held in America. The fleet will contest the Championship over seven races, competing for ‘The Bank Sails Trophy’.

CWL Regatta Director Laurence Mead commented: “We are really pleased that the Sonar fleet will be so well represented at Cowes Week 2021. The Island Sailing Club boats on the Medina River are chartered regularly and bring new people into our sport which is always wonderful to see.  We plan on giving them some challenging racing and whoever comes out the winner will deserve the accolade of UK Sonar National Champions. Entries can be made on the Cowes Week website.”

Matt Grier, Sonar Class Chairman and ACF Director said:  “Laurence and I have been talking about this for the last 18 months, sadly interrupted by Covid, but we are already looking forward to enjoyable racing off Cowes in 2021. It will be great to have such a strong fleet of Sonar’s out on the water and longer term we hope to re-invigorate the Sonar European Championships (post Covid) so we can welcome our European friends back to Cowes Week.”

Charter boats may be available from the Island Sailing Club and other sources, please contact info.uksonar@acfsailing.org  for more information.

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