A TOTAL of £24,000 was raised for the RNLI charity at this year’s Cardiff Sail Day.

On the day 28 yachts, with 250 people aboard, took part to raise the total and the RNLI is now calling on people to register for next year’s event.

After first meeting in Cardiff Bay, the 15 mile race started at Penarth Pier and the course plotted a route across the Bristol Channel towards Weston-super-Mare, next heading for Bristol, across to Newport, before returning to Penarth Pier.

This year's participants were treated to a closer look at RNLI lifeboats, from Barry Dock and Penarth.

The winning boat was Turkana owned by Tony Rayer and sponsored by Simon Clarke of Retrofit/Techni3 who won the trophy originally donated by WT Davies some 25 years ago and whose widow, Joan Davies, presented it to the winners.

A close second was Forward Thinking owned by Steve Nicholls sponsored by Alison Hoy of Berry Smith. After the sail, participants were invited to the Dock in Cardiff Bay for a buffet, donated raffle prizes and a celebration to mark the success of the day.

Cardiff RNLI chairman Colin Lyons said: “Every year this event goes from strength to strength with more and more yachts and corporate sponsors offering their support. The aim of the event is simple; to make as much as we can for the RNLI, one of the best charities in the world. Our grateful thanks go to the boat owners from Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, Penarth Marina. Penarth and Cardiff Yacht Clubs and Cardiff Marina providing their boats freely so that the sponsors can have an enjoyable day sailing in the Bristol Channel”.

RNLI community fundraising manager Jen Abell said: “The incredible effort put in by everyone who participates in the Cardiff Sail Day is of huge support to the RNLI and indeed one of our largest fundraising events in south Wales.”

If you would like to participate in next year’s event, please contact the RNLI’s community support team on ?0300 300 9901??.