Fast Cruise 1 - The Bizzey Cup

The Little Ship Club Fast Cruise Series is a winter tradition in the Solent, established in 2006 to blend spirited sailing with friendly rivalry. By day crews test their seamanship; by night they gather ashore for good company and a hearty meal.

Kicking off this years centenary Fast Cruise Series we will be competing for the fabled Bizzey Cup celebrating the art of gentlemanly seamanship!

Post-event we will be heading to The Light Ship Haslar Marina for cocktails and canapes, allowing crews to mingle more and share stories and race tactics.

We are also giving away a special Centenary Year Fast Cruise Present to the first 60 participants to book onto the Bizzey Cup. You could be the proud owner of an exclusively branded Fast Cruise Flask!

Skippers are responsible for registering their boats with the club event; berths will be booked in advance by the club for skippers.

Times

The race will start will vary based on whether your on the 'Long' or 'Short' course.

Long and short course boats will start at 11:00.

Cut off for declaring is 17:00.

Course

The course will be published 72 hours prior to the race.

Two courses are set each cruise: 'Short' for slower boats and 'Long' for faster boats. These courses combined with the handicap system should result in the majority of the fleet to be visible to each other throughout the course. Plus create an environment where boats at different parts of the sailing spectrum can compete on an adjusted time basis.

Boats rated at 0-999 will sail the Long course. Boats 1000 and above will sail the Short course.

Result

Skippers must provide the following information to the race officer by 16:00 hrs, or the vessel will receive a DNF (Did Not Finish)

• Start time

• Finish time

• Boat ahead

• Boat astern

NOTE: The Little Ship Club has migrated to the YTC handicap; all boats must be pre-registered and handicap assigned prior to the race.

Sailing instructions-2026/27

Berthing instructions

When arriving at Haslar Marina call the harbor on VHF Channel 80 and inform them you are part of the Little Ship Club Rally.

This year to kick off the Fast Cruise we will be enjoying a dinner of canapes and cocktails where members of the club can mingle in a more sociable setting.

Sample Menu

Meat

Spicy nduja sausage palmier bites

Free range chicken Caesar, crisp pancetta in baby gem

Greek meatballs, toasted pitta, tzatziki

Confit Gressingham duck confit beignet, plum chutney

Seafood

Sardine rillettes on sourdough toast

Prawn and avocado tostadas

Smoked salmon blinis, crème fraiche, chive and horseradish, baby watercress and pickled cucumber

Vegetable

Balsamic heritage tomato and pesto bruschetta

Rosary goats’ cheese and red onion marmalade tarts

Godminster vintage cheddar bon bons, burnt apple gel, pickled celery

Wild mushroom and black olive crostini

Sweet

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Event Organiser-Simon Kaye/Lewis McDonald

Duty Officer-Leigh Gibson