DART 18 catamarans are at Whitstable for the second round of their 2003 Grand Prix series this weekend.

The meeting, which is the last big event before the class national championships in Southampton, promises to attract at least 50 visitors, including past world champion Gareth Owen and Dan Norman, winner of the grand prix series last year.

Entries are expected from the Wirrel, Wales, Cornwall and as far afield as Europe, especially France. Local Dart crews will do well to get into the top six when the results are announced on Sunday afternoon.

The weekend will also see the smaller Dart 16s competing in their traveller’s Trophy series over the same course.

Although less entries are expected, racing is likely to be just as keen.

Strength as well as skill will come into the reckoning if the wind conditions of the past two weekends prevail.

Both fleets face a gruelling programme with three races on Saturday, plus a further two on Sunday, with the best four results counting towards overall positions.