100th Anniversary Norfolk Punt Championship at the Norfolk Punt Club

 

The weekend of the 22nd-23rd of August saw sailors from across the country and beyond congregating on Barton Broad in Norfolk to compete in the Norfolk Punt Championship, this year's competition having added significance and celebratory atmosphere as the Norfolk Punt Club celebrates its 100 year anniversary.

With 35 entries this was one of the most well attended and largest gatherings of these special boats in recent memory if not ever, and made for a unique snapshot of almost all of the major innovations and developments in small boat design over the last 100 years. From clinker built gaff rigged boats, through to the introduction of Bermuda rigs, plywood stitch and glue post ww2 'hard chines', glass fibre, and moulded Phil Morrison design boats in the 90s, the introduction of carbon fibre rigs to the more experimental contemporary boats all represented on the water. Everyone competes on a well established handicap system allowing a fair and level playing field for all ages of boat. This year there was a notable presence of recently restored re-found and re-built boats with Tom Scott having restored number 57 'Avocet', originally built by his father in 1970, John Friend saving number 14 'Pintail' (1929) from an almost certain bonfire, Paul Bowen relaunching 21 'Flight' also originally built in 1929 and the welcome return to the water of former championship winning boat number 90 'Saker' built in 1995 that had been hidden away in storage for the last 25 years.

Having made their way out onto the Punt Clubs floating clubhouse situated in the middle of Barton Broad sailors were met with a gusty northerly breeze running straight down the length of the broad. PRO Kath Mason sensibly gauged the memory capacity of the fleet laying an unusually simple (in Broadland terms) windward leeward course running the full length of the broad incorporating static obstacles (the clubhouse and island, not to mention reed-beds flanking the broad) and less static obstacles in the form of holiday makers and recreational traffic on the water! A committee boat start line was set spanning almost the entire navigable width of the broad ready for racing to commence.

After the handicaps had been applied and discards taken into account Andrew and Robert Friend sailing Blackbird retained their 2025 title as overall champions and winners of the 'Progress cup' for fastest boat over the water, second place overall and winners of the Hard Chine Salver were Ed Clifford and Alex Standley sailing Greylag, followed by Charlie Stewart and Alice Boreham in third place overall sailing Snow Goose. The Broadshaven cup for traditional boats was awarded to Simon and Rachel Clayton sailing Decoy. Competition in the Cuckoo Cup for under 18 helms and crews was tight with the overall trophy being awarded to helm and crew Henry Drew and Finn Elson sailing Goosander, crew John Whitefoot in Comet took second and crews' (or should that be sirens?) Ella Elson and Emily Drew Took third singing (and sailing) Snark. A special centenary print was also awarded to Jonny Rudd and Wolfie in Flamingo for keeping the safety crews entertained in the breeze on Saturday.

Overall it was a fantastic weekend of racing, camaraderie and celebration of this very special class and club. Next up is the Punt Club open regatta and NBYC Punt open meeting followed by the end of season downriver Athene Cup race in October.

Overall Results:

Pos Boat Name Sail No Helm Crew Handicap R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts

1 Blackbird 74 A. Friend R. Friend 847 1 1 2 15 4 8

2 Graylag 50 E. Clifford A. Standley 884 2 3 6 1 5 11

3 Snowgoose 96 C. Stewart L. Boreham 884 6 5 1 4 2 12

4 Decoy 40 S. Clayton R. Clayton 926 3 2 8 2 15 15

5 Wild Goose II 103 J. Pye C. Drew 884 8 7 7 5 3 22

6 Comet 102 R. Whitefoot J. Whitefoot 884 4 10 4 8 11 26

6 Saker 90 R.Anderton R. Daniels 847 17 20 5 3 1 26

8 Woodpecker 99 M. Scott H. Scott 884 10 4 10 6 25 30

9 Jackdaw 100 M. Dixey A. Hare 847 21 8 3 14 6 31

10 Redwing 98 R. Reddington S. MacKay 884 12 19 9 7 9 37

11 Gamecock 37 R. Owen J. Owen 952 7 6 16 12 19 41

12 Shoveller 61 W. Johnston K. Davy 884 16 14 13 10 14 51

13 RazorBill 73 R. Parker R. Snelling 879 5 11 36 9 29 54

14 Swallow II 35 E. Daniels W. Daniels 893 36 9 18 18 10 55

15 Pipit 58 J. Drew P. Leventon 884 9 25 14 26 8 56

16 Rushlight 27 C. Dixey S. Clayton 976 11 13 24 19 18 61

17 Snark 49 M. Elson E.Elson & E.Drew 884 13 15 21 20 16 64

18 Grebe 66 C. Haslam H. Hardy 884 18 16 20 24 13 67

19 Goldeneye 25 D. Roe K. Dulieu 996 36 36 12 13 7 68

19 Merlin 82 D. Wilton J. Clarke 847 14 12 27 25 17 68

21 Avocet 57 T. Scott T.Riviere 884 36 21 11 11 26 69

22 Wahoo 106 P. Gliddon J. Gliddon 856 22 28 15 21 12 70

23 Cavendar 32 D. Conway H. Bedford‑Payne 926 36 18 17 23 20 78

24 Comorant 88 B. Sawyer E. Bolton 847 20 27 28 16 23 86

25 Goosander 89 H. Drew F. Elson 925 23 22 23 30 24 92

26 Peregrine 86 N. Bradshaw E. Vaughan 847 15 29 30 32 22 96

26 Elver (P) 1 H. Scott 1010 36 22 22 22 28 96

28 Flamingo 92 J. Rudd B. O'Dwyer 925 24 17 29 28 30 98

28 White Eagle 95 J. Holland G. Smith 847 19 23 25 31 32 98

30 Prawn 19 B. Glover A. Glover 1117 36 36 26 17 21 100

31 Grayling 81 M. O'Dwyer M. Lovell 884 25 26 31 34 33 115

32 Martin 46 K. Gill S. Learmonth 1023 36 36 36 27 27 126

33 Pintail 14 J. Friend S. Jenner 1117 36 36 19 36 36 127

34 Rainbow Trout 75 T. Vincent H. Leverick 884 36 36 36 33 31 136

35 Shuck (P) 28 C. Balls P. Durrant 996 36 36 36 29 36 137

Irish Griffin Graduates Point Way as RORC Opens 2027 Pathway

 

The Royal Ocean Racing Club is opening its 2027 Griffin Offshore Pathway to a new generation of young sailors, with recent Irish successes providing evidence of where the programme can lead.

Dublin sailor Nicole Hemeryck and Cork's Joe Griffiths, both Griffin graduates, have just completed the 1,805-nautical-mile RORC Round Britain and Ireland Race aboard Rob Craigie's Sun Fast 3600 Bellino, taking a provisional third place in IRC Two despite racing the final 200 miles without a mainsail after breaking their boom.

Kerry sailor Eimer McMorrow-Moriarty has also used Griffin to develop her offshore racing career. The 22-year-old Fenit sailor joined the programme after already accumulating extensive ocean experience and was selected for the eight-strong Griffin youth team for this month's Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Against that Irish backdrop, RORC is now preparing to recruit sailors aged 18–30 internationally for its 2027 programme, with applications opening following an online launch on 22 September.

From Irish Dinghy Sailing to Offshore Racing

McMorrow-Moriarty's route illustrates the type of progression Griffin is intended to provide.

She began sailing at Tralee Bay Sailing Club before progressing through Optimists, Lasers and 29ers and into Team Ireland squads. She subsequently accumulated more than 20,000 offshore miles, including a circumnavigation, before turning to Griffin as a means of developing the competitive side of her offshore sailing.

As previously reported by Afloat, she described Griffin as the missing link between having offshore experience and knowing how to turn it into a racing career.

"My miles have given me such a solid foundation, but Griffin was like a golden nugget," McMorrow-Moriarty said. "I could see this was how I progress, how I get into offshore racing. It was the pathway."

Her 2026 programme included RORC races such as the Cervantes Trophy, Myth of Malham, Morgan Cup and Channel Race in preparation for the Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Offshore Experience Not Essential

For the next intake, however, RORC stresses that applicants do not need anything approaching McMorrow-Moriarty's offshore mileage.

The Griffin Offshore Pathway is open to sailors aged 18–30, including dinghy sailors, keelboat racers, students and club sailors as well as those already gaining offshore experience.

Selection will focus on attitude, commitment, teamwork and potential rather than simply the number of offshore miles already completed.

Successful applicants will enter a structured programme combining training, coaching and mentoring with participation in RORC offshore racing, weekend training sessions and potential opportunities to compete overseas in partner events such as the Nastro Rosa.

Griffin Graduates Making Their Mark

The progress of Hemeryck and Griffiths provides another Irish example of what can follow.

Both moved on from Griffin to race aboard Bellino with RORC Commodore Deb Fish in this month's Round Britain and Ireland Race.

Their crew remained competitive despite breaking the boom and sailing approximately 200 miles to Cowes without a mainsail, finishing with a provisional IRC Two podium position.

Meanwhile, the Griffin team's own Sun Fast 3600 completed the same circuit with its young crew shortly before 7am on Friday, 21 August.

More than 100 young sailors were involved in the Griffin Pathway during 2026.

September Webinar Opens 2027 Applications

RORC will formally launch the 2027 programme with a Zoom webinar at 1900 on Tuesday, 22 September.

Current and recent Griffin sailors will discuss their experiences, while organisers will outline the 2027 programme, selection procedure, commitment required and application process.

Applications will open following the webinar and remain open for two weeks.

Prospective applicants and those interested in supporting the programme can register through the Griffin 2027 launch webinar.

The programme is also seeking support from RORC members and the wider offshore community through boats for training and racing, sails and equipment, financial contributions, volunteering and mentoring.

2026 Hunter Impala National Championship at the Torbay Royal Regatta

 

The 2026 Hunter Impala National Championship arrived in Torbay as part of the Torbay Royal Regatta, bringing together ten entries from across the South Coast and beyond. Nine boats ultimately made it to the start line, creating a competitive fleet that showcased everything that makes the Impala class so enduringly popular.

While many sailors arrived hoping for classic sea-breeze conditions, Torbay had other ideas. The summer heatwave that had gripped the country continued throughout the championship weekend, delivering wall-to-wall sunshine, warm temperatures and, most significantly, light and often elusive winds. It was the sort of weather that rewards local knowledge, sharp tactical awareness and patient boat handling.

For the crews, success depended upon reading the bay correctly. Finding the subtle lifts, spotting the slightest bends in the breeze and keeping the Impalas moving through patches of pressure became the order of the day. Add in the occasional lumpy sea state left over from offshore swell, and competitors faced a championship that was far from straightforward.

Despite the challenging conditions, six races were successfully completed, providing an excellent test of consistency and versatility. At the front of the fleet, Hound Dog, helmed by Flynn Luxton of Royal Southern Yacht Club, proved the standout performer. A race record of 1, 3, 2, 3, 1 and 1 left the crew with an impressive nett score of just eight points and the national title.

Their ability to maintain boat speed in the lighter airs and stay out of trouble across the regatta ultimately made the difference.

Second place went to Atalanta, sailed by Stuart Higgins from Flushing Sailing Club. After a disappointing opening race, Atalanta bounced back strongly with a race win in the second contest and remained firmly in the hunt throughout the championship, finishing comfortably in the runner-up position and with their highest ever finish at the Nationals.

Completing the podium was Magic, helmed by Daryl Conyers of Plymouth Yacht Club. Magic demonstrated excellent pace at various stages of the event, including a race victory, and remained a constant threat to the leaders until the final day.

The battle behind the leading trio was equally intense. Rainbow, sailed by Mel Sharp, secured fourth place, narrowly ahead of Nyala and Shoestring, who ended the regatta tied on points. Further back, Zulu, Alchemy and Scallywag all enjoyed moments of success in what proved to be an exceptionally competitive fleet.

Nyala were also trophy winners, collecting the Benita Bowl, which was for the lowest scoring boat across the fleet competing with the most female crew.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Boat Name Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts

1st GBR9537 Hound Dog Flynn Luxton Royal Southern YC 1 ‑3 2 3 1 1 8

2nd GBR9567 Atalanta Stuart Higgins Flushing SC ‑8 1 6 1 2 6 16

3rd GBR9579 Magic Daryl Conyers Plym YC 6 2 1 4 4 (OCS) 17

4th GBR9601 Rainbow Mel Sharp Flushing SC 4 ‑6 5 2 3 5 19

5th GBR9553 Nyala Stewart Bowen Parkstone YC 2 ‑7 4 5 7 2 20

6th GBR9552 Shoestring Tye Wichard RCYC 3 5 3 ‑6 6 3 20

7th GBR9609 Zulu Kevin Palfreeman Tony Kehoe Plym YC 5 4 7 ‑8 5 4 25

8th GBR9608 Alchemy Omer Gurdogan Hamble River SC 7 ‑8 8 7 8 7 37

9th GBR9595 Scallywag Michael Dixon Exe SC ‑9 9 9 9 9 8 44

10th GBR9561 Uproar Dave Owens Mandy Owens Flushing SC (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC DNC 55

Beyond the results, the championship highlighted exactly why Torbay remains one of the UK's premier sailing venues. Its stunning natural amphitheatre, spectacular scenery and famously tricky race area demanded the very best from sailors and race officials alike. In light winds, the differences between success and frustration could be measured in metres, making every shift and every puff of breeze critically important.

It is also important to recognise the outstanding work of Race Officer and the entire White Course race management team. In a week where light, shifting winds and tricky sea conditions tested everyone's patience and judgement, the team delivered a superb championship.

The fleet left Torbay with plenty of stories to tell: snakes and ladders on the leaderboard, gains and losses on every leg, and countless discussions about which side of the bay paid best. Most importantly, the event once again demonstrated the health of the Hunter Impala class. 9 Boats competing, close racing and a wide spread of well-sailed boats provided an excellent championship and a fitting showcase for one of Britain's most respected one-design keelboats, with a competitive future ahead.

Irish Flying Fifteen Western Championship 2026 at Rossaveel, Connemara

 

Flying Fifteens Connemara hosted a cracking Western Championships. On Friday evening the visiting sailors were invited to race a pair of legendary Galway Hookers setting up a weekend of tight racing and good company.

Saturday began under a dead-flat mirror finish. Race Officer Brian Matthews had his work cut out, but his patience paid off.

Race 1 was a bit one-sided but getting a score banked early was key. As the breeze settled into decent sailing conditions for races 2 and 3, local pair Niall O Brien and Dermot Flaherty (4092) found their stride, stringing together back-to-back bullets.

Race 4 was held with the breeze falling away, Ian Mathews and Keith Poole (4093) snatching the win just before the course was shortened.

Back on shore, Rossaveel and Carraroe proved to be a fantastic host venue. Saturday's championship dinner was top-class, giving everyone a chance to catch up and enjoy proper Connemara hospitality.

A brief postponement on Sunday morning gave way to a light breeze with the fifth and final race going to Emma Pierce and Ian Smyth (3892) - sealing the Silver fleet victory.

Overall Western Championship honours went to local hosts Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty (4092) Andrew McCleery and Colin Dougan (4120) second overall, with Lee Statham and Andy Paul (4070) in third.

The Bronze Fleet victory went to Niall Bradshaw and Rory Scullion (3895).

A highlight of the prize-giving was the presentation of the Ben Mulligan Trophy which was awarded to TJ Clarke.

VX Air Test Sail - Thrills without the Spills

 

The VX Air is a high performance two-person, single-trapeze dinghy designed by Brian Bennett, Ross Weene, and Mackay Boats. The hull is 4.78 metres long, that's 15 foot 8 inches, and has a beam of 1.74 metres, or 5 foot 9 inches.

The main sail is just over 10 metres squared, with a 4.61 metres squared jib and a 15.75 metres squared asymmetric spinnaker, which provides exceptional lift downwind.

The asymmetric hoist system is via a soft chute, which exits around 30 centimetres from the bow and runs all the way back to the central controls, allowing a wet sail to drain.

The main is sheeted off the boom and taken by the crew upwind and the helm downwind, while the jib is a self-tacker a track, making manoeuvres simplicity itself.

The spars and asymmetric pole are carbon, with a mast height of 6.75 metres, while the foils consist of a daggerboard with a 1.11 metre draft and a kick-up rudder, combined with a carbon one-piece rudder stock and tiller.

The boat is incredibly stable upwind, and the pitching was minimal sailing on Portland Harbour in a short chop and around 12-16 knots of wind, making for an easy ride for the crew on the trapeze. With the efficient hull form it was only when you looked at the pace of the chase RIB we had out that you realised just how quickly we were travelling.

The ideal crew weight is between 125 and 150 kilograms, but Sam Pascoe and I had a good 20 kilos over this and the boat in no way felt sluggish or weighed down, as you can see, so I would put the weight range at wider than this suggestion. With the centrally led control lines the rig felt easy to depower, and downwind if you're light you can simply go a little deeper.

Where does the VX Air sit in amongst the range of dinghies already on the market? I think it'll appeal to those who sail high-performance dinghies but want something with lighter sheet loads and a simple deck layout, while it will also appeal to youth sailors who are coming out of boats like the 29er and want to sail fast, but aren't going into an Olympic class like the 49er or 49er FX.

The single trapeze monohull dinghy is a sector that hasn't had many modern designs. Alternatives are the Laser 4000, which was designed in 1994, and the RS500, which was announced in late 2005.

The VX Air certainly makes high-performance dinghy sailing more accessible, due to its stability. I remember many years ago being blown away by the VX One's speed when I sailed it for a day at Cowes Week, and the Air has that same vibe, just without the keel and in a much smaller package.

It's the kind of boat I'd love to sail in a winter series event, as you'd be quick round the course and I had the feeling that I'd really have to mess up to capsize, which during the colder months when I'm out on the water less is a big plus.

To find out more about the VX Air contact Ovington Boats: Email rob.richardson@ovingtonboats.co.uk or Phone 0191 2576011.

Light winds at Largs Regatta Festival for the opening weekend

 

It was a very light weather weekend for the opening races of Largs Regatta Festival 2026 sponsored by Saturn Sails. A unique event mixing One Design classes, handicap keelboats and dinghies all racing in the Largs Channel, it brings a wide variety of racing, experience and ages together.

This year both the Etchells OD and Hunter 707 OD competed for their Scottish championships attracting healthy fleet numbers and close action at all times. Saturday at least had variable breeze up to 10 knots wind allowing all classes to sail the first race, a delay followed,during the lack of wind mid afternoon, to then finish with some champagne sailing conditions. 3 races were completed by everyone after a long day on the water.

Unfortunately the traditional Round Cumbraes Race on Sunday was cancelled due to a hot windless day and so the results from Saturday's efforts stood for the overall awards. Thanks due to the considerable number of volunteers from Largs Sailing Club and Fairlie Yacht Club supporting the sailing activity.

Yacht of the Weekend was won by Scott Chalmers on Sunrise (CYCA Class 3)

Dinghy of the Weekend was won by James and Andrew Reekie in their Feva

Scottish Etchells Champion - Eccentric (Colin MacDonald)

Scottish 707 Champion - Seasword (Dara O'Malley)

Saturn Sails Largs Regatta Festival 2026 continues with mid week racing and concludes with the Scottish Two Handed Race around Arran on 29 August.

For full results please see largsregattafestival.com/lrf-noticeboard

 (scroll down to the results section)

Pathfinder Homes B14 National Championship 2026 at Mumbles Yacht Club

 

The Pathfinder Homes B14 National Championship 2026 concluded at Mumbles Yacht Club after the weather had the final say.

Following an excellent day of close racing, sailors arrived on Sunday hopeful that a forecast sea breeze would deliver a fitting conclusion to the championship. Unfortunately, despite a patient wait ashore, the breeze never developed sufficiently for racing, and the Race Committee was left with no option but to abandon the day's programme.

That meant the results stood as they were at the end of Saturday's racing, capping off a highly competitive championship that showcased exactly what makes B14 racing so special.

Saturday had provided four superb races in beautiful flat-water conditions, with the fleet enjoying tactical, shift-filled racing and no fewer than four different race winners. Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn, Seavolution opened the day with a dominant victory before Nick Craig and Pete Gray, Harken responded with a win in Race 2. Ben Cutler-Sharp and Tesni King, Ceto then took victory in Race 3, before Paul Roberts and Lucy Loughton, Squirrel rounded off the day with a race win in the final contest.

The variety of winners highlighted the depth throughout the fleet and the incredibly close margin separating the leading teams. Consistency ultimately proved decisive and, after five races, Seavolution and Harken finished level on seven points apiece. With racing abandoned on the final day, the championship was decided on countback, giving the National Championship title to Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn in Seavolution. Nick Craig and Pete Gray in Harken were a very close second, while Paul Roberts and Lucy Loughton secured third overall in Squirrel after an excellent final race win on Saturday.

A huge thank you goes to Pathfinder Homes for their continued support of the class and to Mumbles Yacht Club, its volunteers, race team and catering staff for delivering a fantastic championship both on and off the water. Competitors enjoyed excellent racing, warm hospitality and a memorable social programme throughout the weekend.

Whilst the sailors would undoubtedly have welcomed one final showdown on Sunday, the championship had already produced a worthy champion. The B14 fleet now looks forward to their next TT at Whitstable and then the Final Fling in Plymouth.

Congratulations to Mark Barnes and Jack Kilburn, the 2026 Pathfinder Homes B14 National Champions.

Overall Results:

Pos Boat Name Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts

1st Seavolution North Sails 799 Mark Barnes Jack Kilburn Whitstable YC 1 1 ‑3 2 3 7

2nd 801 Nick Craig Pete Gray Frensham Burgfhield 2 2 1 ‑3 2 7

3rd Squirrel 774 Paul Roberts Lucy Loughton Starcross 3 ‑4 2 4 1 10

4th Ceto 775 Ben Cutler‑sharp Tesni King Syc 4 ‑5 4 1 5 14

5th 786 Geraldine Fermor Leaky Fermor mote park ‑6 3 5 5 4 17

6th Captains Bunk 770 Simon Hadley Nikki Hadley Whitstable Yacht Club 5 6 6 (RET) DNC 25

7th PSB repairs 798 James Gardner Anne gardner HISC (DNC) DNC DNC DNC DNC 32

GP14 Midland Bell at Trimpley Sailing Club

 

Trimpley Sailing club opened its door to GP14 sailors on the 11th July, for their annual contribution towards the long-running Midland Bell series.

Race Officer (and Trimpley Commodore) Allison Blakeway welcomed visiting boats comprising Oliver Goodhead & Katie Keith (South Staffs), Mike and Alex Homer (Midland), Richard Binns & Charles Saunders (Nantwich & Borders / Staunton Harrold) and David Baldwin and Rich Moss (Winsford Flash SC). These 4 boats combined with 7 home boats gave a fleet of 11 on the water, a good turnout for this small club.

The weather contributed in delivering consistent winds, an unusual feature for this glorious but notoriously shifty location.

After a race briefing, race 1 got under way without delay. Early into the lead were Gold Fleet sailors Oliver and Katie, with locals Lesley Freeman (H) and Sue Webb (C) battling the Homer's for second place, the home boat just pulling ahead in the final lap to claim the second slot.

A break for a fabulous lunch followed with the Trimpley galley team outshining themselves once more. The atmosphere in and around the clubhouse was convivial and relaxed, a key feature of many GP14 Midlands Bell events and indicative of a supportive and welcoming community.

Two further races commenced back-to-back in the afternoon with the South Staffs duo insurmountable in pole position. Second position was hotly contested throughout with a second and third for each Lesley and Sue and Mike and Alex. 4th place also contested between David (with Rich) and Richard (with Charles).

Final results:

1st place: Oliver and Katie (South Staffs)

2nd place: Sue and Lesley (only Home Boat in the top 5)

3rd place: Mike and Alex Homer (Midland)

4th place (on count-back): David Baldwin and Rich Moss (Winsford)

5th place: Richard Binns and Charles Saunders (Nantwich and Borders / Staunton Harrold)

To round-off this superb day of sailing at this small and wonderfully friendly club, a barbecue and overnight camping had been arranged for visitors to extend their stay in this idyllic location. Visitors were then able to join in more Trimpley fun on the Sunday before waving goodbye for another year.

A collection of photos is available at www.trimpleysailingclub.co.uk/gallery/288485

Bart's Bash is back 12-13 September 2026

Bart’s Bash is back, bringing sailors and watersports enthusiasts together for a global celebration on the water - and you can be a part of it. 

Whether it’s a yacht, dinghy, windsurf, paddleboard, canoe or kayak, if it floats, bring it!

How you can get involved...

Take part

Sign up as a venue or individual and see how you rank against participants from across the globe.

Make a difference

Fundraise for the Andrew Simpson Foundation, or raise money for your own club, venue or community project.

Be part of a global event

Join participants from around the world for a weekend of fun and friendly competition.

Ready to join the bash?

 

Sailing for a cause: Russell-Cooke Silicon Cup Regatta returns for 2026

 

The IT industry's biggest charity sailing event, the Russell-Cooke Silicon Cup Regatta, returns on 15-16 September 2026. This year marks an exciting new chapter for the event as competitors gather at its new home in Ocean Village, Southampton, creating an enhanced experience for participants, sponsors and guests alike.

Far more than a sailing competition, the regatta has earned a reputation as one of the technology community's most distinctive annual events, combining competitive yacht racing with customer entertainment, networking, team building and charitable fundraising in an environment unlike any traditional business event.

Open to experienced sailors and complete beginners alike, every yacht is accompanied by a professional skipper, ensuring every participant can experience the teamwork, challenge and camaraderie that have become synonymous with the Silicon Cup.

The organisers are delighted to welcome back top 100 law firm Russell-Cooke as Headline Sponsor for the 2026 regatta, now in its fourth year of partnership. Russell-Cooke advises a broad mix of commercial, regulatory, not-for-profit and private clients across a wide range of disciplines.

Members of Russell-Cooke's corporate and commercial team, led by partner Peter Jeffery, who has more than 20 years' experience advising technology businesses and entrepreneurs, will once again be taking part in the regatta.

Peter Jeffery, corporate and commercial partner at Russell-Cooke, said: "We're delighted to be supporting the Silicon Cup Regatta again this year. The event has built a fantastic reputation for bringing together professionals from across the technology sector. Alongside the networking and sailing, it also raises significant funds for some truly worthwhile causes, which aligns closely with our commitment as a responsible business to supporting our communities. We're looking forward to spending time with clients, contacts and fellow participants, and to another successful event both on and off the water."

Every team that takes to the water helps create opportunities for young people, supports children and families facing extraordinary challenges, and contributes towards protecting the marine environment through the event's four charity partners. This year, the Silicon Cup is proud to support The Genie's Wish, The Andrew Simpson Foundation, Greig City Academy Sailing Programme, and The Final Straw Foundation.

Through the generosity of sponsors, participants and supporters, the Silicon Cup community has raised more than £1 million for charitable causes over the lifetime of the event, demonstrating the positive impact that can be achieved when businesses unite behind a shared purpose.

Shaun Frohlich, chairman of the Silicon Cup Regatta, said: "The Silicon Cup has always been about bringing people together through shared experiences. Every year we see colleagues become stronger teams, customers become friends and new relationships are formed both on and off the water. We're delighted to welcome everyone to Ocean Village for the first time and look forward to another memorable regatta while continuing to support four charities that make a genuine difference."

Melges 15 UK National Championship at Warsash Sailing Club

 

GP Watercraft are delighted to announce the Melges 15 UK National Championship will now be held at Warsash Sailing Club between the 18th and 20th September.

There is an excellent and growing local fleet, as well as many nearby in Lymington, which will ensure a good entry.

The entry is £150, which includes three days of racing in the central Solent and a social at the club on Saturday evening.

For those set to compete in the Endeavour Trophy, this is the ideal chance to practice in the Melges 15, and with a special Charter and Entry package available for £495 it's great value as well. The number of charter boats available is limited, so give Shaun and the GP Watercraft team a call on 07908 796419 or email shaun@melges.uk to secure your place.

The Melges 15 is incredibly easy to jump into as a newcomer, with a clean deck layout and easy to use controls. The Reichel/Pugh design is quick to plane and highly responsive, making it a rewarding and exhilarating sail. If you haven't tried the dinghy yet then the Nationals is a great time to give it a go. The charter package provides incredible bang for your buck, with the boat ready for you to sail!

The event is supported by GP Watercraft, Zhik and Seldén Mast.

Graham Bailey wins 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix

 

Graham Bailey, alongside Julia Bailey, Killian Boag, and Will Bedford, secured the 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix aboard GBR192 Bluebottle, achieving victory with a race to spare. The event took place from 18-21 August 2026, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes, UK.

The regatta concluded with two final races in challenging light winds. Graham and Julia Bailey’s team dominated race six, which sealed their title. This victory marks Graham’s fourth win of the prestigious Edinburgh Cup, and for Bluebottle, it is a historic first win of the trophy, despite its impressive past podium finishes in the 1950s and 60s. Julia Bailey also celebrated her fifth win, having sailed with Graham for all his victories.

In his post-race comments, Graham expressed the emotional weight of the win, noting the pressure and unpredictability of the conditions. He highlighted the significance of Bluebottle’s victory, linking it to its historical ties with the Duke of Edinburgh.

The competition for the remaining podium positions was fierce. Christoph Toepfer, Jan Secher, and Andy Beadsworth were all in contention heading into race seven. Beadsworth led race seven but Toepfer’s consistent performance secured him second place overall, leaving Beadsworth in third.

In the Corinthian Division, Martin Byrne’s team claimed the title after a thrilling final race, capitalising on Denis Bergin’s misfortunes in the light winds. Byrne’s team, comprising his brother and Adam Winkleman, achieved a remarkable turnaround to secure their championship.

Laura Schewe won the Seagull Trophy for the first female helm, while Richard Blickman’s restored Cobweb, built in 1964, made a notable performance in the last race, finishing second.

The regatta concluded with a celebratory gala dinner at the Royal Yacht Squadron, where trophies were presented, and special recognition was given to Ron James for his decades of dedication to the Dragon class. The event showcased the spirit of the Dragon sailing community and the camaraderie among competitors.

You can catch up on all the reports, photos and videos from the event and further Dragon sailing news at:- British Dragon Association Website – https://www.britishdragons.org/edinburgh-cup-2026/

2026 Edinburgh Cup & UK Dragon Grand Prix

Overall Top Five

1.       GBR192 Bluebottle – Graham Bailey – 6, 2, 1, 6, 11, 1, (50) = 27

2.       GER11 Aurora – Christoph Toepfer – 3, (22), 9, 7, 3, 6, 5 = 33

3.       TUR12 Provezza Dragon – Andy Beadsworth – 13, (18), 5, 1, 2, 14, 1 = 36

4.       POR49 Jupiter – Andrew Lawson – 9, 11, 2, 10, 6, (34), 4 = 42

5.       SUI355 Ginkgo Racing – Jan Eckert – (20), 9, 15, 4, 1, 10, 6 = 45

Corinthian Top Five

1.       IRL201 Jaguar Sailing Team – Martin Byrne – (25), 6, 22, 14, 22, 7, 21 = 92

2.       BEL79 Corso – Dries Van den Abbeele – 8, 24, 7, 24, 14, 15, (30) = 92

3.       BEL 88 White Pearl – Guy Celis – 31, 8, 25 (50), 18, 9, 7 = 98

4.       GER1151 Lilibeth – Magdalena Gründt – 26, (34), 3, 17, 26, 23, 10 = 105

5.       IRL161 Sir Ossis Of The River – Denis Bergin – 19, 26, 10, 5, 13, 33, (34) = 106

The next Edinburgh Cup is set for 13-16 July 2027, as the Dragon class continues to thrive with upcoming events, including the Marblehead Trophy and the World Championship in Hong Kong.

France Smashes SailGP Speed Record

 

France has shattered the SailGP speed record after hitting 107.63 km/h during a high-octane opening day of the ROCKWOOL Germany Sail Grand Prix in Sassnitz on Saturday.

DS Automobiles Team France eclipsed the previous championship record of 103.93 km/h, set by Denmark's ROCKWOOL Racing at the same Baltic venue last year.

The landmark run came during the sixth and final race of a dramatic opening programme featuring six races, five different winners and several teams exceeding the previous speed record.

France driver Quentin Delapierre said the record-breaking run came during a particularly demanding bear-away.

“I was definitely on the edge and it was quite scary on that last bear-away,” Delapierre said.

“I guess that’s where we broke the record. It was quite a slow bear-away, so we were going really fast. I was just focusing on not putting too much pressure on Jason’s foil so he could stay on the foil. At this speed, the first boundary comes up very quickly.”

Denmark also exceeded its former record, reaching 106.79 km/h, before suffering a high-speed nosedive. Spain's Los Gallos recorded 106.55 km/h.

With strong Baltic winds driving the F50s, teams raced with the smallest 18-metre wingsails and high-speed rudders and boards.