The Holms Race

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11 SEPTEMBER UPDATE: results now published below. A massive thanks to everyone that supported the event: competitors, shore team and Advance Marine in particular for another fantastic post race party!


9 SEPTEMBER UPDATE (2): entrants and handicaps have now been published below – see you on the water!

9 SEPTEMBER UPDATE: while we are all deeply saddened by the death of Queen Elizabeth II, this is just to confirm that the Holms Race will take place tomorrow as planned. Please be respectful of competitors that chose to acknowledge the extraordinary circumstances in which we find ourselves. The list of entrants and handicaps will be published shortly.

8 SEPTEMBER UPDATE: version 2 of the Sailing Instructions has been issued, which includes contact details for the Race Officers (there are no other changes). A list of entrants and handicaps will be published tomorrow. 

8 AUGUST UPDATE: the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions have now been published below and entries are open for this years event!

4 JULY UPDATE: the Holms Race 2022 will take place on Saturday 10 Sept 2022. Thanks to Advance Marine and boatfolk for their continued support: the event will once again be free to enter, with discounted marina berthing and a return of the very popular post race BBQ and bar at Advance Marine. The Notice of Race will be published in late July and entries will then be open until early Sept. Sailing Instructions will follow in mid/late August with a list of confirmed entries and their handicaps being published in the week before the race. 

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The Holms race is the most high profile event in the club calendar with a typical entry of over 50 boats from clubs around the Bristol Channel.

It is held in late August or early September and is a down tide race starting and finishing off Portishead, with a course of NW Elbow to port, Flat Holm to Port, Steep Holm to port, NW Elbow to starboard and finish.

Competitors choose their own start time from 2 hours after high water based on the tidal streams and the wind with the aim of passing between the Holms at slack water.

The elapsed time taken is corrected for open handicap and with a tidal correction to correct for the natural advantage for slower handicap boats on down tide races.

After the race on Saturday competitors are invited to attend a venue close to the marina for a hot meal, drinks and the results and prize giving.

Here’s a video of the 2011 race and one of the 2012 race

The 2022 edition takes place on Saturday 10th September, with high water Avonmouth at 08:00 BST. Please see links below for:

Entry Form
Notice of Race
– Sailing Instructions
– Our Sponsors boatfolk and Advance Marine

2022 Results:

2022 Entrants and Handicaps:

2021 Results:

2020 Results:

2019 Results:

2018 Results:

2017 Results: