Suffolk Yacht Harbour Classic Regatta

The River Orwell’s Suffolk Yacht Harbour hosts its annual Classic Regatta on June 9-11. Founded in 2002, the SYH Classic Regatta welcomes both sailing and motor yachts – entry criteria requires vessels to be pre-1970 design of traditional construction. Sailing yachts should have a Bermuda or gaff rig and be built of wood or steel. Modern classic yachts with wooden or steel hulls are also welcome. IRC points racing for fast, slow and Stella classes takes place in Dovercourt Bay, Harwich Harbour, and the Orwell and Stour estuaries. Hosted by Haven Ports Yacht Club (HPYC), a varied social programme ashore centres around the renovated LV87 lightship in the centre of the SYH marina, in front of which the majority of regatta yachts are berthed to create a busy, social atmosphere. •www.syhclassicregatta.co.uk

Medway Marathon

The Medway Marathon has been an annual endurance challenge for sailors for over almost 60 years. Organised by Medway Yacht Club, the race is open to all classes of monohull dinghies and day keelboats with a RYA PY number. The 26-mile course runs between Upnor in the west and Queenborough spit to the east and is in a tidal area that sets strategic problems and demands high levels of boat handling skills. It tests every part of the angles of sail, which doesn’t give a huge advantage to any particular boat and presents a great tactical challenge as the tide plays a big part in a sailor’s success. A sister halfmarathon event is open to helms who were under 23 at the start of this year. •www.medwayyachtclub.com