June is set to be a bumper month for visitor arrivals in local marinas, with a number of sailing events on course for St Peter Port.
More than 100 boats and 500 crew are expected to take part in organised events over the next few weeks, the highlight being the return of the week-long Spirit Yachts sailing regatta.
Guernsey Ports marina manager Steve Lowe said the number of organised rallies and regattas could make it one of the busiest months ever in the visitor marina: “We have 10 rallies, regattas and other events booked during June, so we are hoping for good weather throughout the month. If it stays fair for the next few weeks, the Victoria Marina should be full of visitors and activity, which is always a wonderful sight to see.”
The season got off to a colourful start over Liberation Day, with more than 60 French yachts and around 300 crew taking part in the race between the Brittany ports of Morlaix and Perros-Guirec, via Guernsey. It was the 41st staging of the event, which stopped over in the island for its now traditional two-night stay.
The first major arrivals during June were 16 racing yachts from the Hallberg-Rassy Sailing Club, who stopped off on 3 June. Meanwhile, 10 boats from the Guildford Coastal Cruising Club arrived on Sunday 9th June as part of their summer cruise around various French ports. They will be followed by a dozen motor cruisers from the Brixham Buddies on Friday 14 June.
Saturday 15 June marks the start of the Locate Guernsey-sponsored Spirit Yachts regatta. This should provide some spectacular sights in local waters as the luxury sailing vessels, up to 72 ft in length, take part in a week-long series of events.
Then on Friday 21 June, a strong Jersey contingent is expected to arrive ahead of the Savill’s Inter-Island Race the following day. It is the 59th time the event has taken place, with around two dozen Jersey yachts making the trip over in 2022, when the start line was last in Guernsey.
The visitor marina could be even busier this time around, with the arrivals from Jersey coinciding with a contingent of up to 15 motor cruisers form the Solent Powerboat Club.
To round off a busy month, around 15 sailing boats from the Torbay Yacht Club will be arriving on 28 June, followed a day later by the Port Solent Yacht Club, who are expecting 18 crews, with a mix of yachts and motor cruisers.
Alongside the rallies and other organised events, Guernsey Ports expects to welcome many other leisure visitors who can be accommodated in the Victoria Marina and on the walk ashore Swan Pontoons.
