Organizers
behind the East Coast Sailing Week have vowed the show will go on, despite the
low number of entries.

The
event, which offers race courses for sporty classes, more relaxed
courses for cruising class vessels and onshore entertainment, is scheduled to take place at the Royal
Northumberland Yacht Club in Blyth Bay from 16 to 19 July.

Event
chairman Tony Blenkinsop said: ‘The ECSW Committee has spent several months
planning this event, which is coinciding with Blyth Town Maritime Festival.

‘East
Coast Sailing week has in the past been in the past a well attended annual
event, hosted in rotation between clubs in the Tay, the Forth and at Blyth.

‘We, the organizers,
are confident that it will go ahead; even if there are reduced numbers.

‘We
have invested a lot of time and effort and do not intend to let the event
dwindle away. It does seem endemic at present, that yacht racing in the region
is struggling; a trend we are trying to reverse.

‘We have a great
calendar of racing over four days, together with on shore entertainment; and in
partnership with the Blyth Maritime Festival we have lots to offer both racing
sailors and visitors to the area.

‘We
are sure there will be a lot of support. It is often the nature of the
yachtsman to leave it quite late before committing to events, so that they can
monitor the notoriously fickle weather on the North East Coast.

‘However, we are ready to welcome
our visiting sailors and provide them with a great event.’