There’s less than a week to go to the 2006 Glyn Charles Memorial Pursuit Race and a record turn out of over 150 dinghies and keelboats is expected.

This very special race is now a firmly established high spot in the UK sailing calendar and takes place from Hayling Island Sailing Club this Saturday 17 June (first start 1400).

The Glyn Charles Memorial Race is about fun, fundraising and remembering Glyn, one of Great Britain’s best young sailors, tragically lost in the 1998 Sydney Hobart race.

The fundraising part of day is run in aid of the John Merrick’s Sailing Trust. John, a great friend of Glyn’s and a fellow member of the 1996 British Olympic Team, died in a car accident in 1997 and the trust was founded in his memory to advance the education and physical and mental development of young people in need (under the age of 25 years) with a view to promoting the achievement of their potential through the sport of sailing. The trust does fantastic work and every penny raised will go to support its cause.

Glyn’s great friends Liz and Mark Rushall have always played an important role in organising this race and were hugely disappointed when they realised they could not be present this year. Being the resourceful types they are this wasn’t going to stop them competing and so, thanks to the support of Andrew Pindar, we are delighted to announce that Liz and Mark have entered the Pindar AlphaGraphics VO60, starting from a Newport, Rhode Island line and using a special local correction factor (much to the relief of the Chichester Harbour Master who seemed to be slightly worried about the prospect of a VO60 inside the harbour!).

In recognition of the increasing number of keelboats taking part Dubarry of Ireland are presenting the new Dubarry Trophy for the first keelboat finisher. As well as the perpetual trophy the winning crew will each receive a pair of Dubarry footwear.

Inspired by the promise of new footwear the Victory fleet are rumoured to be travelling from Porstmouth to race against the local Sunbeams, K6s and Elites and, of course, Pindar AlphaGraphics.

In addition there are a host of fabulous prizes on offer totalling over £5,000 in value and ranging from a luxury stay at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hampshire and some amazing electrical goods donated by Basilica, to TackTick electronics and signed kit from Volvo Ocean Race winner Mike ‘Moose’ Sanderson of ABN AMRO One and double Olympic Gold Medallist Shirley Robertson.

For more information on the race log onto www.rushall.demon.co.uk/mark/glyn_charles_pursuit_race.htm. Details on how to make a donation to the John Merricks Sailing Trust are at www.jmst.org.uk.