EUROPE’S longest dinghy and sailboard race is preparing to celebrate its 50th birthday in August, but the celebrations are set to start well in advance.

The Isle of Sheppey Sailing Club, who host the annual event, will start their anniversary celebrations at the world’s largest dinghy sailing show, held at Alexandra Palace in London, next week.

The club, whose existence dates back to 1896, will have a stall at the event which will include, among other things, special race birthday cake.

“We are just putting the finishing touches to the planned celebrations,” said club commodore James Bell. “It’s a great achievement to reach this birthday and we’re hoping for a big turnout.”

The race itself starts and finishes at the Sheerness-based club, with the competition open to all classes of dinghy, catamaran and sailboard.

Competitors face the task of sailing clockwise around the Isle of Sheppey against a field of up to 300.

The sailors also get to test their skills on three different types of water; tidal sea, river and estuary. The majority of participants are expected to complete the 40-mile course within 10 hours, with the course record set at 2 hours 29 minutes, by two-time winner Colin Overington, in 1980.