Notice of Race
PLEASE NOTE from 2025 there are specific modifications to the sailing instructions for powerboat weekends, to ensure greater separation between power and sailing boats.
Stewartby Water Sports Club - Sailing Section will be the Organising Authority for racing on Stewartby Lake.
The schedule of races will be as per the club online calendar and may be subject to change, changes will be notified via the club website which should be regards as the official notice board. Races will not begin before the times shown on the calendar.
Events will be governed by the Racing Rules of Sailing, and the clubs Sailing Instructions, which are published on the club website.
The results are calculated using the RYA PY syste and as per the Racing Rules of sailing Appendix A lower points system.
Sailors may swap between rigs and boats during a series (e.g. monohull, catamaran, ILCA 5 to 7). All races sailed will count toward any applicable series. However, races will only count toward a specific class or category if they were sailed using equipment that meets that series' eligibility criteria.
In each series, your final score is calculated using your best results. We take the total number of races sailed, divide by 3, round up, and add 1. This gives the number of races that will count towards your final score. For example, if 24 races are sailed in a series, the calculation is: 24 รท 3 = 8 Rounded up = 8 Add 1 = 9 races to count Your best 9 results will contribute to your final series score.
This is the standard format and rules for racing unless stated otherwise in "Further Race Day Format Information".
January to March: The Icicle series
2 races back to back from 11:00. It is a requirement that participants sign up for a duty in this series before their first race. Any results obtained before signing up will not be counted in the final series results table.
April to September: Summer Program
Our summer racing programme is made up of several different event types, each with its own format, schedule, and prizes. The summary below outlines the key types of race days you can expect throughout the season, followed by more detailed information for each.
| Type of race day | Format |
|---|---|
| Fastnet & Rockall Series | The two main racing series across the summer: Fastnet (April to mid-July) and Rockall (mid-July to end of September). Each typically includes 24 races, held on Sundays one in the morning and two back-to-back in the afternoon. Sailors can compete in either or both series, with prizes awarded for each. Combined results determine the overall Summer Season award winners and the Club Champion. |
| Cup Days | Standalone events held three times during the summer: the Blackaby Cup, Caulcott Cup, and Watts Cup. Each Cup Day features four races two in the morning from 10:30am and two in the afternoon from 13:30pm. Prizes are awarded on the day. Combined results from all three determine the Club Junior Champion. |
| Multi Format Racing - Short Course and Pursuit | A mix of as many short races in the morning that can be fit into 1 hour and a pursuit race in the afternoon. Short course Pursuit races constitute their own seperate series. Each short course session counts as a separate series with no discards. The pursuit race will start no earlier than 13:15. It uses staggered starts with slower boats setting off first with duration between 60 - 90 minutes, and results are based on finishing order. |
| Wednesday evenings | Single, relaxed races held weekly through the summer. Ideal for all abilities. Start times vary with sunset. Results will be worked out each evening but there is not scored series. |
| Informal Double Handers | A fun series where helm and crew pairings are drawn out of a hat. You don't need your own boat to take part just turn up and get involved! Light-hearted prizes are awarded to celebrate both performance and the fun moments along the way. |
| Special Events | Unique one-off events such as the New Year's Day Race, Moonlight Sail and the Chris Janes Memorial Races. These standalone events have their own formats and prizes. |
Further Race Day Format Information
Summer Season (Combined Fastnet & Rockall Series)
Awards and Trophies
| Award | Eligibility | Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Overall | All | Club Champion |
| 1st Silver Overall | New and less experienced sailors. | Silver Fleet Trophy |
| 1st Catamaran Overall | Catamarans | Kempston Trophy |
| 1st Cadet Overall | Ages Under 19* | John Stubbs |
| 1st Adult | Ages 19 - 44* | Pilgrim |
| 1st Master | Ages 45- 59* | Chimney Pot |
| 1st Grand Master | Ages 60+* | Grand Masters Tankard |
| 1st Double Hander | Monohull Double Handers | Commodore Cup |
| 1st Single Hander | Single Handed Monohulls | Tillet Trophy |
| 1st Laser/ILCA | Lasers/ILCA in 4.7, Radial and Full Rig | Moretain Cup |
| 1st Topper | Toppers | Topper Trophy |
| 1st Lady | Female Helms | Maudline Goblet |
| Top Crew | Crews | Top Crew |
| Try Hard | All | Try Hard |
*For age-based awards both helm and crew must be under the specified age on 31st December.
Other Requirements
It is a requirement that participants sign up for a duty in this series before their first race. Any results obtained before signing up will not be counted in the final series results table.
Fastnet & Rockall Series
Awards and Trophies
| Award | Open to | Trophy |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Overall | All | Fastnet, Rockall |
| 2nd Overall | All | |
| 3rd Overall | All | |
| 1st Silver Fleet Overall | New and less experienced sailors | Fastnet, Rockall Silver Fleet Trophy |
| 2nd Silver Fleet Overall | New and less experienced sailors | |
| 3rd Silver Fleet Overall | New and less experienced sailors | |
| 1st Rising Star | Ages Under 13* | |
| 1st Junior | Ages Under 16* | |
| 1st Cadet Overall | Ages Under 19* | |
| 1st Family | Parent sailing with child under the age of 19* | |
| 1st Affiliate Group | Awarded to each affiliate group | |
| 1st Lady | Female Helms |
*For age-based awards both helm and crew must be under the specified age on 31st December.
Other Requirements
It is a requirement that participants sign up for a duty in this series before their first race. Any results obtained before signing up will not be counted in the final series results table.
Informal Double Handers
Format
This is a relaxed and social event where you go sailing in a double-handed boat, but with a twist - your sailing partner is drawn out of a hat! Its all about mixing things up, meeting new people, and having fun on the water.
Eligibility
There is no restriction on who may take part. Participants may enter as either helm or crew, and do not need to provide their own double-handed boat. Club double-handers will be made available where possible.
Participants should meet in the wet galley area of the clubhouse one hour before the scheduled start time to register and take part in a random draw for helm and crew pairings.
Awards and Trophies
| Prize | Description |
|---|---|
| First Helm | Awarded to the helm with the lowest score over the series. |
| First Crew | Awarded to the crew with the lowest score over the series. |
| Slow and Steady Award | For the last-place finisher(s) who completed every race. |
| Crash & Splash Award | For the most spectacular capsize or near miss. |
| Best Random Pairing Award | For the most unexpectedly successful or mismatched helm/crew combo. |
Scoring
Both helm and crew will receive the same score based on their finishing position.
For example, the winning helm and crew each receive 1 point, second place each receive 2 points, and so on.
Multi Format Racing
This event occupies four summer race days and gives competitors the opportunity to compete in two separate disciplines.
The two disciplines are Short Course and Pursuit.
Short Course Competition
The morning session will consist of as many short course races that can be fit into 1 hour (usually) 4 races will constitute a series. Points are awarded for position in series. No discards. First start not before 11:00.
Pursuit Competition
This is a race in which boats with a slow handicap will start first to be pursued by faster boats. We aim for the racing to last between 60 - 90 minutes. Starting times will not be before 13:15. Points will be awarded for position on the water at the end of the race.
Scoring
If there is a tie, the result will be determined by position in the final Short Course event.
Special Events
Chris Janes Memorial Races
Format
These races are held in memory of former club member Chris Janes, in recognition of his contribution to the club and the sailing community. Two races will be sailed back-to-back in the afternoon.
Awards and Trophies
These races will be scored on the day, and prizes will be awarded in the clubhouse shortly after the last race.
Cup Days
Format
Standalone events held three times during the summer: the Blackaby Cup, Caulcott Cup, and Watts Cup. Each Cup Day features four races two in the morning from 10:30am and two in the afternoon from 13:30pm. Prizes are awarded on the day. Combined results from all three determine the Club Junior Champion.
Signing On
All participants must sign on at the race hut before the first race. When signing on, please indicate which category you wish to be entered into (e.g. Junior, Silver Fleet, etc.).
Scoring
These races will be scored on the day, and prizes will be awarded in the clubhouse shortly after the last race. However, in addition the results from each of the three cup days will be combined using standard series scoring to determine the Junior Club Champion.
Awards and Trophies
| Cup Prize Categories | |
|---|---|
| Overall |
1st Overall & Cup Winner 2nd Overall 3rd Overall |
| Silver Fleet |
1st Silver Fleet 2nd Silver Fleet 3rd Silver Fleet |
| Junior & Youth (under 19) |
1st Overall 2nd Overall 3rd Overall 1st Junior Lady Helm (and crew if applicable) |
| Age-based |
1st Under 13 1st Junior (Ages 13 - 15) 1st Youth Overall (Ages 16 - 18) |
| Special categories |
1st Family (Parent sailing with child under 19) 1st From Each Affiliate Group (if applicable) 1st Lady Helm (and crew if applicable) |
October to December: Autumn Series
2 races back to back from 11:00 (see club calendar for start date.) It is a requirement that participants sign up for a duty in this series before their first race. Any results obtained before signing up will not be counted in the final series results table.
Last updated 12:27 on 15 May 2025