Brighton to play host to Euro gay sailing regatta
Gays will be setting sail for the 8th annual Euro Gay Cup next month.
The competition returns to Brighton Marina on the 6th and 7th September and is sponsored by Barclays Bank and the Sailing and Cruising Association (S&CA), the home of gay sailing in the UK.
This is the third time the UK is hosting the regatta and it is expected to attract around 60 competitors split in two fleets.
In the Spinnaker Class there are 6 Sigma 8 yachts which are designed as a performance keelboat.
They provide the excitement of dinghy without the risks and acrobatics.
In the Non-Spinnaker Class there are 4 Laser Stratos dinghies.
They are self-draining and have a lifting keel.
In addition, the S&CA will be organising a social event for other LGBT sailors alongside the regatta.
The racing will take place on Saturday & Sunday with the intention of having 4 to 6 races in total on windward/leeward, triangular courses or an Olympic-style courses.
Last year, British team BRM won the Spinnaker Class event.
The annual EuroGay Cup was started in 2001 and has previously been held in Vinkeveen, Paris, Berlin and Cowes.
Competitors have entered from the UK, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany the USA and Australia.
Sailing is a growing sport in the gay community and was included in the Gay Games in Sydney 2002 and Chicago 2006.
The EuroGay Cup is one of a trio of annual gay sailing regattas held in Europe, the USA and Australia endorsed by the international gay sailing organisation, GLORY.
