Chairmans Report

It is an honour to be writing the introduction to the EAORA 2008 season. I look back at the names of previous Chairmen over our 59 year history and hope that I may continue, as the first female Chairman of EAORA, to build on everything that has been achieved to ensure EAORA’s name remains at the forefront of East Coast offshore racing. Paul Wood, our past Chairman, hands over an association which is both strong & growing whilst recognising it also plays an important part in IRC racing nationwide. I must thank him once again for all he has contributed and continues to contribute to EAORA.

The Committee also recognise we have a responsibility to look to the future of offshore racing and to this end we launch this year our EAORA Youth Programme. Open to all our member club’s cadets between the age of 14 and 22 years, cadets will race on our competitors boats, a series of 5 offshore races, full details of which appear in the handbook and on the web site. EAORA are grateful for the sponsorship & support of Insure & Go. Martine Wilson will be central to the co-ordinating of the programme and if you wish to ask her any questions, her details are on the committee contact page. The 2008 season starts early this year on the weekend of April 12th & 13th with the much loved Pattinson Cup & Ralph Herring Trophy run by the West Mersea & Royal Burnham Yacht Clubs, this year sponsored for the first time by East Coast Yacht Sales. EAORA Week, the ‘best kept racing secret’ on the East Coast ventures back to Southern Holland again with continued sponsorship from A B Plant Shipping Limited. The Beadles Cup, also sponsored by AB Plant Ltd, will be run by the Royal Temple Yacht Club taking the fleet down to Ramsgate on August 9th to link in with the first IRC East Coast Championship, also organised by the RTeYC. The EAORA committee wish them and all competitors every success in this new event.

EAORA welcomes new boats out this year. Mick & Roma Willett’s First 29 - Polaris, Duncan Haley’s SJ 320 - Double Trouble, James Russell’s Sigma 33- Excel, Bob Parson’s Finn 32- Puffinn, Malcolm Holland’s First 27.7- Behave, Des Cowan’s Contessa 33- Eclipse, Andrew Tristram’s J105 -Panther, Paul Woodward & John Barrett’s Dehler RS34 -Déjà vu, Richard Stewart-Liberty’s Beneteau First 300- Jessica and we know there are a few more to come. Our target is to have 60 boats completing at least one race for the 2008 season.

EAORA are also proud of their historic links with the Royal Ocean Racing Club and the Royal Thames Yacht Club, both clubs sponsoring & running races within the EAORA programme. Racing Manager at RORC, Janet Grosvenor, retires from this role this year and I am sure you all will join me in thanking Janet for her vital contribution to offshore racing and wishing Ian Loffhagen every success in his new role.

Please make note of the fundamental changes to the ISAF Safety Regulations with regard to life rafts, flares, VHF and guard rails which have been highlighted in the EAORA new Safety Checklist. This only leaves me to thank all the committee members for their hard work for the season ahead, in particular Chief Race Officer Brian Bolton and to wish all EAORA boat owners & crews a safe, exhilarating & competitive 2008 racing season.

Judy Payne-James
Chairman