​More than 80 yachts and hundreds of sailing enthusiasts are preparing to participate in what is hailed as the “highlight of the summer season” this Saturday. The crews taking part in the Classic Channel Regatta will be welcomed with a reception at Castle Cornet before they set sail for Lézardrieux, France, the following day. This event comes on the heels of Guernsey’s Harbour Carnival, which returned last week, and follows The Tour des Ports de la Manche racing into St Peter Port on Thursday. Now in its 43rd year, The Tour des Ports de la Manche is regarded as one of the largest regattas on the French sailing calendar.
Guernsey is gearing up for more high-profile marine activity, with reports indicating that the regatta has attracted its largest fleet of the decade. More than 100 yachts and around 500 crew members are signed up to compete in the six-stage race that traverses the coastline of Normandy and the Channel Islands. The fleets will spend the night in Guernsey on Thursday before heading to Diélette on Friday. Kieran Higgs, head of port operations, described these regattas as “always a highlight of the summer season” and said the port is “delighted to welcome so many visiting sailors to Guernsey Marinas.” He added: “Over 200 yachts are scheduled to arrive in Guernsey in the next week alone, creating an incredible spectacle in our waters and underscoring the island’s status as a premier destination for marine tourism.”
For those keeping up with local maritime news, follow BBC Guernsey on X, Facebook, and Instagram. If you have story ideas, email channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. In related updates, mariners are urged to carry emergency beacons, and work is underway to replace ageing marina pontoons. Other ongoing topics include discussions on invasive species threats and the Harbour Carnival, as well as the ongoing coverage of the Classic Channel Regatta and the Tour des Ports de la Manche.