On behalf of the committee of the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta we would like to extend a warm welcome to competitors, participants, visitors and residents, and to those returning to this uniquely beautiful and historic town for the 168th Regatta. And I trust that you are all here to enjoy yourselves over the next few days.

To all of the helpers, dignitaries and committee members I sincerely thank you for your support.

But without the commitment, enthusiasm and hard work of the regatta committee we would not have got to this point today. Their input has been truly outstanding and it would be easy for me to pick out many individuals from the committee who have gone that extra mile. At the end of regatta I hope and trust you will agree that this extravaganza is a tribute to their effort.

Our thanks are extended to the many traders, donors and sponsors who have supported our activities again this year. We are also extremely grateful to the Britannia Royal Naval College, the Devon County Council, the South Hams District Council, the Dartmouth Town Council and the Dart Harbour & Navigation Authority for the provision of facilities.

We hope that you will enjoy the special atmosphere that pervades our annual Royal Regatta and we trust that you will experience a truly memorable event that we boast of as the ‘Best in the West’.