Race 2 – Pursuit Race
Everyone Is Welcome!
Date: Sunday, 14th June 2026
Race 2 will be run as a Pursuit Race – and we are extending a very warm welcome to family crews and sailors new to racing, alongside our regular and more experienced competitors.
Whether you are a seasoned racer or stepping onto the start line for the very first time, this is the perfect format to get involved.
So, What Exactly Is a Pursuit Race?
Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare? A pursuit race works on broadly the same principle – and it is one of the most exciting and spectator-friendly formats in sailing. Here is how it works:
⏱ Staggered Starts Rather than the traditional fleet start where every boat crosses the line at the same moment, a pursuit race sets a fixed overall race duration. Start times are then calculated so that, in theory, every boat in the fleet should arrive at the finish line at exactly the same time.
🏃 The Chase The slowest boats start first. Faster boats follow at staggered intervals. The faster boats must chase down and overtake those ahead, while the slower boats defend their lead and hold off the fleet. It makes for fantastic, close racing.
🏆 No Post-Race Maths Because all handicaps are applied at the starting line, there is no confusion calculating corrected times after the race. It is beautifully simple: the first boat to physically cross the finish line wins. The boat that is furthest around the course when the time limit expires takes first place. We all end up ashore at around the same time. Book a table in the club for a meal when you enter.
How to Enter
To help us prepare and run the race smoothly, we do need your entry by 11th June and the first entries are in on the Yacht Club website under Racing.
If you do not yet have a (YTC), please apply now – it is completely free of charge and straightforward to obtain. The Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions will appear shortly. Any questions contact Ian Low or any of your Sailing Committee.
Come and join us on the water on 14th June. Whether you are chasing the fleet or defending your lead, Race 2 promises to be a brilliant day of sailing for all the family.
WMYC Keelboat Racing Programme – Race 2 📅 Sunday, 14th June 2026 ⚓ West Mersea Yacht Club