|
The CSSA has organised an inter-departmental offshore yacht race or series of races on behalf of the CSSC every year for over 25 years, in which yacht crews compete representing a department or establishment of the civil service. Originally it was just a single race from Cowes to Cherbourg, but inshore races were added as a work-up and now the regatta often only has the longest race around the Isle of Wight, although this is still about 60 miles, not much short of a race to France. Originally a mixture of member’s own yachts and some chartered from Solent companies, the popularity of one-design charter fleets has led to the evolution of an event with just a matched or equal rated fleet of charter boats. Most events have been based in Cowes and expertly organised by the Island Sailing Club there, with the odd interesting event in Yarmouth IoW or Plymouth, Devon. Recent events have been of 4-5 days duration, Monday-Friday for lower charter costs. There is always an event dinner in the local yacht club one evening, and other social eating and drinking ashore with most boats berthed overnight in the same marina.
Over the years the IDOR series has brought together civil servants from all parts of the service, enabling a good exchange of ideas and values from all parts of the country. It also produces new contacts and co-operation within a crew between the members of that department. Most departments allow some special leave and expenses for participants under the usual CSSC national sporting event rules. There is always a wide mix of sailing experience within each crew, which has been one of the principles of the event all along. This means that there is an emphasis on safety, using only well fitted modern yachts and limiting the racing if the weather forecast is bad. Usually a practise race is held first which does not count for the other prizes. There are several trophies for the inshore races, the long offshore race, and the overall points total. The short inshore races are about 5-20 miles and can last for 1 to 4 hours, so two or three can be held in one day. The course to be sailed is not announced until shortly before the start by a display board on the line, and with the strong tides around Cowes this always makes for a busy and interesting start to the races. The number of entries is usually around ten, varying between eight and sixteen over the years.
|
