What does it take to run the world’s largest team racing event?

Published on May 6th, 2013

This year’s British Open Team Racing Championship for the Wilson Trophy (3-5 May) was the 64th edition of the event. Hosted every year on by West Kirby Sailing Club in Wirral (UK), the event draws top sailors from around the world

The event’s man-made ‘Marine Lake’, and viewing bleachers, make the Wilson Trophy both ideal for competition and spectating.

Run entirely by volunteers, it is a massive undertaking to provide food, entertainment, accommodation, and of course, expertly-run racing for over 200 sailors over three days. Here are the statistics involved in making the 2013 event happen…

10 – Nations represented by competitors and officials
320 – Races
20 – Hours of racing
204 – Competitors
2 – Olympic medallists
5000 – Spectators
300 – Organizers and officials
350 – Hours of preparation by club volunteers
36 – Equally-matched Firefly dinghies
550 – Bacon butties
1000 – Sandwiches
5000 – Pints of beer consumed
2000 – Cups of tea
800 – Meters of cable for PA systems on the promenade
15 – Hours of race commentary
300 – Seats in the grandstand – provided free to spectators
26 – Umpires
12 – Umpire boats
20 – Race officials
42 – VHF radios