Long distance 4 - Lidney Litre
HW 11:42 (9.63m) Narlwood Rocks
The Lydney Litre is a long-distance race and heads upriver to the port of Lydney on the Northern bank of the river. All competitors will start at the listed start time. The race will include the Counts channel marker to Starboard on the way upriver.
Historically the rules for this race were simple. All boats started together and raced to Lydney YC where all competitors had to consume a litre of ale before racing back to Thornbury Sailing Club. The winner was simply the first boat to return!
While this made for an interesting race when all competitors were in YW Dayboats, as sailors moved into F18s, A-class catamarans etc. Where they could make reasonable way against the tide it simply became a sprint there and back with little time spent ashore, and generally the fastest boat won.
At the request of Nick Russell, whose father donated the trophy, the race rules were changed in the noughties to make the race fairer and to encourage people to enjoy the hospitality of Lydney YC.
The new rules require a finish line between the Lydney pier head and a suitable craft (Tom Skuse, RIB, Cruiser) and finish times will be recorded as competitors cross the line. Competitors will then go ashore at Lydney. The history of the event is that competitors should consume a litre of ale before returning but it is now customary to partake in refreshments at Lydney YC and wait for the tide to turn.
It is very easy to get swept past Lydney YC as the tide runs particularly quickly in that area due to the narrowing of the river between Lydney and Sharpness old docks. As such you should be aiming to pass very close to the Pier head and be prepared to quickly lift foils and ease sheets to get ashore near the Lydney YC slipway. Heavier boats can be pulled up on the mud and grass, while lighter boats can be carried up the slipway and placed on the flat grass on the right at the top of the slipway.
Once refreshments have been consumed competitors are free to start the return race by crossing through the start line created by the Lydney pier head and the craft used to define the outer end of the line. Your start time for the second leg will be recorded. The OOD should set a "latest re-start time" to stop fast boats making too much of an advantage from the quickening tide and to discourage stragglers who might not make it back in good time.
If anchoring proves difficult or if suitable craft are not available an assistant to the race officer can be dropped at Lydney and can use the posts on the pier head as a transit in order to determine the finish/start line.
The return leg to Thornbury will include the Counts channel marker which is to be rounded to port.
The race officer will record the finish times through the normal club finish line.
Results are calculated by adding the elapsed time of the outbound race to the elapsed time of the return race. The boats handicap is then applied in the usual manner.
Long distance races are generally best suited to experienced sailors with good knowledge of the river. Conditions can be challenging and support boat cover, although provided, cannot be relied upon to provide assistance as it is spread thinly along the river and may be helping another participant. If in doubt, seek guidance from the OOD before taking part.
Last updated 10:28am on 27 April 2026