A regatta is being held this weekend in memory of a former skipper, race director and operations director for the Clipper Round the World Race.

Colin de Mowbray (pictured above) died suddenly on July 11 2010 and his friends are holding the Red Socks Regatta in his honour.

All eight boats in the regatta will fly red socks from their backstay in homage to de Mowbray’s favourite fashion item.

The fleet, led by de Mowbray family yacht Fidgit, will leave Lymington crewed by former Clipper crew members on October 2 to enjoy various races and fun, including dinner at The Folly Inn, East Cowes on Saturday night.

de Mowbray was born in 1945 and spent 30 years in the Royal Navy, culminating in the award of an MBE.

After leaving the forces in 1994, his friendship with Clipper chief Sir Robin Knox-Johnston led to him skippering Chrysolite in the inaugural round the world race in 1996 and from there he spent 14 years with Clipper Ventures as race director and operations director.

He retired in 2009 and founded the Clipper Race Yacht Club, which gave Clipper alumni a vehicle to continue sailing and it now has more than 500 members.

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