Offshore racing at its best

EAORA has a fine tradition of hotly-contested events complemented by great camaraderie ashore

Celebrating its 74th year in 2023, East Anglian Offshore Racing Association brings more than 20 East Coast yacht clubs from Ramsgate to Lowestoft together for a series of challenges, most of them 40-50 miles long. The EAORA also works with the Royal Ocean RAcing Club to run the 150mile North Sea Race and the 120-mile East Coast Race, both crossing the North Sea.

EAORA’s 2023 season began on Coronation weekend with the Royal Burnham YC’s Ralph Herring Trophy Race from West Mersea to Burnham on May 7, followed by West Mersea YC’s Pattinson Cup race from Burnham to Merseanext day – allowing racers to make the most of the Bank Holiday while not missing the Coronation of King Charles III.

For those aiming to qualify for this year’s Rolex Fastnet race, the 180-mile RORC North Sea Race from Harwich to Scheveningen on May 19 was a key event, followed by the 120-mile RORC East Coast Race from Harwich to Ostend on June 15. This event also acts as feeder to the ever-popular Offshore Regatta, a highly sociable as well as competitive long weekend which continues with the Cannonball Trophy (Ostend to Ramsgate) on June 17 and Graham Wallis Trophy (Ramsgate to Harwich) on June 18. There will also be a shorter Haven Combined Clubs passage race from Harwich to Ostend on June 15, to encourage those who do not need RORC qualifying miles to join in the fun of the regatta.

EAORA Chairman Claire Scott says: “The Walker Challenge Cup (Harwich to Lowestoft) on July 1 also sees EAORA combining with HCC – potentially resulting in the biggest and most competitive offshore fleet on the East Coast this year. Then on August 5 the Amazon Cup (Harwich to Ramsgate) provides a feeder for Ramsgate Week and the EAORA programme continues with the Round the Goodwins Race on August 6.

“On August 19 we race from Burnham to Upnor for Medway YC’s historic Jane’s Cup, and back the following day for the Royal Corinthian YC’s Thames Estuary Shield. On September 2 EAORA joins forces with Burnham Week for the Royal Burnham YC’s Houghton Cup, combined with Burnham Week’s Town Cup, the highlight of the week. The final event in the 2023 programme will be West Mersea YC’s Buckley Goblets on September 22. The 80-mile race from Mersea to Ostend is always a highlight of the season.”

The entire EAORA season is backed by DXB Pumps while its Youth programme, sponsored by Fox’s Chandlery, offers prizes to encourage younger racers.

“The ethos of EAORA combines demanding offshore racing and equally enjoyable social get-togethers pre- or postrace,” says Claire. “We value the support of our member clubs and their enthusiasm for entertaining us, and we hope our offshore crews will support the clubs and swell their bar takings.”

•www.eaora.org.uk