The 2025 race is on!

The dates are announced - the 54th WLYC 24 Hour Race will take place on the weekend of  12th-14th September 2025. Arrive in Southport on Friday 12th in time for the party in the West Lancs clubhouse. The race starts at 12:00 noon on Saturday 13th and finishes at 12.00 noon on Sunday 14th September.

Yes, we're retaining all the spirit and excitement of the traditional WLYC 24 Hour Race on the water, including the races within the race. We're adopting an innovative, collaborative model in running the event, learning from the best practice of other sailing clubs and organisations.

Yes, we expect to run all the traditional races. We'll publish the times of races within the race so that you can schedule your sailing and volunteering. A new trophy was introduced in 2024 - the International GP14 70th Anniversary Shield - awarded to the fastest 14th lap in a GP14.

We’re asking all clubs which enter a team to volunteer for at least two duties, providing some resources to help us make the event safe and enjoyable. Participants can volunteer for a variety of roles, including safety boat/powerboat, first aid, observing/timekeeping, scrutineering in the docking area as teams change over and marshalling the parking. This worked really well in 2024, and ensures the sustainability of the event.

The race is for boats entered [NP] by a single club or organisation affiliated to the RYA, or another World Sailing member national authority, and sailed by a team representing that club or organisation. Further details of eligibility and entry requirements are set out in the WLYC 24 Hour Race 2025 - Provisional Notice of Race (see 2025 Downloads).   The race now includes Fireflies as well as GP14s and Enterprises.

It's a competition of the clubs, so there's an initial period when clubs can enter just one boat, to give all clubs a chance to enter, after which clubs are free to enter as many boats as they wish. The number of boats will be limited to 75 in 2025.

It’s up to each team and its Captain to decide how many members to include and decisions on the team make-up is an important part of race strategy. There is no restriction or recommendation on numbers. 

There's a tradition of including every generation of sailor in the race. There are no age limits and its up to Team Captains to ensure their sailors are able to cope with the prevailing conditions. 'Masters' boats are sailed by a team consisting of helms aged 40 or over on 31st August 2025,  with crews of any age.  Since 1967 mums and dads have sailed with their competitive youngsters, who in due course have introduced their own children to this ultimate challenge of endurance and teamwork.

Marine Supplies Direct provide the chandlery service. Clayton Park provide the catering service from Friday 20th at 2 p.m. until at least 10 pm and from Saturday 21st at 8 am continuously until 2 pm on Sunday 22nd September. Competitors and volunteers in dry clothing are welcome to use the WLYC club lounge for dining. There will be a marquee adjoining the clubhouse for those in wet clothing. The WLYC bars will serve cold drinks, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits. We're considering how to adjust the facilities for 2025 in the light of feedback from participants on this years event.

There will be some accommodation for camping under canvas at Southport Sailing Club (SSC), which is just next door to WLYC, on a first come, first served basis. Camping space at SSC must be booked in advance from WLYC. 

Parking in the designated area of the Marine Drive car parks will be charged at a reduced rate - we're reviewing how the 2025 parking permits will be sold - in any case, it will not be necessary to purchase a ticket from the pay and display machine. We can expect approval from the Council for camper vans, caravans and mobile homes to be parked up overnight in the designated area for the three full days from Friday 12th to Sunday 14nd September 2025, as was the case in 2024.

There are many commercial accommodation options in the town, including the Premier Inn with free parking for residents (10 minutes’ walk), as well as nearby guest houses and Air B&Bs including the Travelodge. For those who come to enjoy a more leisurely weekend in Southport supporting their club team and watching the event, the four star Waterfront Hotel (15 minutes’ walk) offered 24 Hour Race participants and event visitors a 20% discount (code: EVENTBB) and complimentary parking if booked directly with the hotel in 2024 and we will request the same next year. 

We’ll put the race information on the website wlyc.org.uk/wlyc-24-hour-race and nearer the time broadcast essential updates via the WhatsApp group:  WLYC 24 Hour Race 2024 - WhatsApp broadcast group