Excelsior hosting Smack Race 30/31 July 2022, Lowestoft, Suffolk, UK

The Excelsior Trust is delighted to confirm that our 2022 Centenary Smack Race is going ahead. If you haven’t already registered to enter, please do as soon as possible. We would love to see you!

Click below for entry form.

We are planning:

·    Three separate classes         

·    Broad range of prizes - not just for the fastest vessels

·    A two-day shore-side Maritime Fair with Bar and local musicians

·    Dedicated bus service around town and to Lowestoft Maritime Museum

·    Evening prize-giving event

News from the North:

BOY LESLIE BM312, the 78’ former Brixham trawler built in Galmpton in 1911 and now operated as a sail training vessel in Norway has entered. 

SWAN LK243, the 67’ former Shetland herring boat built in Lerwick in 1900 and now operated locally as a sail training vessel, has entered with 5 crew and 10 trainees.

Unfortunately, our smack race coincides with the Faroese National Day, which is a ‘must’ for Grimsby built WESTWARD HO! TN54 of 1884. (EXCELSIOR LT472 attended in 1989 or 1990). However, the Faroese Association of Wooded Sail Ships is holding a Seamen’s Festival in Klaksvík, a large town in the northern part of the Faroe group in the week beginning 15th August. (If any smack owners would like their vessels to attend, they will be assured a warm and friendly welcome - contact claus.reistrup@icloud.com)

The Brixham trawler DEODAR BM 313 (and LT485) of 1911 is authentically restored and in good order in Stockholm, but disappointingly the voyage is now too daunting for her owners. But as the former Yarmouth lugger (drifter) EUREKA YH815 and Lowestoft smack SUNBEAM LT669 remain as potential attendees it is worth giving an update on the Pandemic for foreign owners. 

SYBIL of Honfleur (formerly CK349 of Wivenhoe) seeks crew for visit to Lowestoft.

The 1901 built SYBIL has been owned and well maintained by the same family for 50 years and seeks more crew to help sail her to Lowestoft and take part in the Festivities. Contact: Rikki Judd richardjudd0123@gmail.com

Covid Update

In the UK the number of reported infections has been very high because we have been doing more testing than anywhere else. The daily figure was reducing significantly down to the levels of last July, presumably because most UK citizens now have the necessary antibodies (and Memory ’T’ Cells) having had one of the Covid variants or been vaccinated. 

The current predominant Omicron variant is much milder and more like normal influenza, and many people are not even aware they have it. Restrictions have therefore been lifted in stages, and recently the last restrictions were removed altogether. However, at each relaxation there has been a corresponding resurgence in the number of infections which subsequently tailed off again. Right now there is therefore a resulting rise in the number of detections, but this is expected to tail off again.

Obviously other variants will appear, but if they follow the pattern of Spanish ‘flu in 1919 they will just be regular influenza which, of course, is still dangerous to the vulnerable. 

We are therefore confident our Smack Race will go ahead this year without interference because people who come to the UK are unlikely to catch Covid because most UK citizens have had it (or been vaccinated); and because foreigners do not pose a threat to the UK population as our now-endemic defences seem to be efficacious against all currently known variants. 

Nevertheless we will keep you informed.

Life must go on

World events seem to be putting Covid into perspective, and Lowestoft continues to support wind farm development with every useable quay in the port let for high-speed catamarans to take personnel out to work on the turbines. 

Limited berths are only available at ABP’s Haven Marina (with a few at the Royal Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club). ABP have kindly agreed to their Haven Marina hosting the smacks, but berths are limited. If you are planning to enter your vessel into the Lowestoft Jubilee and Centenary Smack Race it is essential to get your booking form in as soon as possible. When we have your entry form we can allocate a berth. If you turn up expecting a berth on the day I am afraid you will be disappointed.

Shore-side activities

Our shore-side plans are going well and we have the full backing of the local authorities, following our very successful event last year near the Lifeboat station, when we celebrated Excelsior’s Freedom of The Town of Lowestoft. 

We have had numerous additional applications for pitches this year. The theme is nautical and includes boatbuilding demonstrations, a ship’s blacksmith, locally smoked fish, local artists and folk singers and interesting educational stalls from the likes of CEFAS (Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science). If you would like a pitch please apply to: centenary@excelsior.co.uk

We hope to see you soon!

The Excelsior Trust

www.theexcelsiortrust.co.uk

07981543460

For Smack Race queries please contact John Wylson on: 07981543460

For The Vessels Festival Shore-side please contact Laurence Vulliamy at:- centenary@excelsiortrust.co.uk