Osprey Scottish and Northern Championship 2026 at Coniston Sailing Club

 

This Osprey event took place as part of the annual Coniston Regatta sponsored by Toplex and a host of other generous local firms. 80 dinghies took to the water and the Ospreys contributed 10% of the entries. The event overall was a resounding success with Coniston SC pulling out all the stops to provide a most enjoyable weekend both on and off the water. Next year is the club's 60th anniversary so if you missed this year make a note in your diary for 2027.

Those of us who live in the Lakes and sail on Coniston know all about rain and fickle winds but this year the sun came out and the wind blew straight down the lake from the south bringing warmth and giving, for Coniston, relatively steady conditions. There were however sufficient nuances to the wind, varying over the weekend from force 2 to 4, to be exploited and also test the concentration of participants.

Apart from the five regular crews the fleet welcomed two newcomers. 'Desperado' for the first time and 'Public Enemy' returning after a 25 year absence. One of the entrants, Paddy Lewis and Mike Priddle, failed to materialise and it transpired that Paddy's car had broken down scuppering their arrival. Speculation was rife as to what had gone wrong. Had the cocktail bar in the the Bentley gone wrong? Had the Chauffeur gone on the sick? We might never know but suffice it to say they didn't arrive and missed 6 races in sparkling conditions and, ashore the Hog Roast, an all time favourite with Paddy!

On the water a certain pattern emerged which remained active throughout the event. Out in front Alex and Nick Willis in 1291 and Rob Shaw and Ian Little in 1349 battled each other for first place and entered the final race all square. In the end after a little bit of match racing 1349 emerged triumphant and claimed the championship forcing 1291 into second place after what must have been the most closely contested Scottish and Northern's for many years.

Behind these two Alec Mamwell and Arthur Butler in 1350 sailed a really consistent series accumulating a perfect set of thirds. It might, from the results, seem as though they had an extremely boring time but the reality was somewhat different. They were usually close enough to the leaders to keep them on their toes. Unfortunately, this time, all their attempts to 'sneak up' came to nought and on the other hand they had to fight off the attentions of Ros and David Downs in 1114 who were not only trying to break 1350's grip on third place but also discover if their Osprey could go round in circles. Despite their assertion that it could there was no direct evidence that this was the case.

Behind these boats Willie Crichton and John Batt in 1341, Andy Reed and Steve Watson in 1183 and Desperado in 1252 were involved in a battle for survival. 1252 succumbed early in the event. 1183's efforts petered out but gave signs that, as Andy's health continues to improve, their results should get significantly better. That left 1341 to complete all the races and receive the High and Dry trophy for endurance. In the last race, however, the Dry bit did not apply as Willie, so pleased with his best start of the weekend, tacked and fell out!

The Osprey Association would like to thank Coniston Sailing Club for hosting this years Championship and, once again, making the Ospreys very welcome at their excellent club where the race management, catering and overall organisation have obviously been upgraded in recent times. This weekend was an outstanding success and I know that some of us will be back to join you for your celebrations in 2027.

Results:

1st 1349 Robert Shaw and Ian Little

2nd 1291 Alex and Nick Willis

3rd 1350 Alec Mamwell and Arthur Butler

Jura Scottish Series 2026 Overall

 

The north of Britain's most prestigious annual regatta, Jura Scottish Series, may have started in chilly spring temperatures and grey skies last Friday but Loch Fyne and the Kintyre peninsula delivered a blistering hot Mediterranean Monday Bank Holiday finale. Light winds, flat seas and brilliant sunshine offered a fitting end to the four-day event and sent the competitors homewards wearing big smiles and a few sunburned faces.

The biggest grins belonged to Craignish Boat Club's Guy Neville, sailing with his daughters Ruth and Kay, Alex Spence and Nick Speechley, who collected the top overall award for the best performance across the nine classes.

Sailing PO in the 12 strong, very competitive Hunter 707 One Design Class they won five of their 12 races, finished second three times and took one third. With a 16 points aggregate PO left the 2016 Scottish Series Trophy winners, Dara O'Malley's SeaWORD 11 points behind as runners-up.

It was a special and popular triumph for Neville who worked his way through the Scottish squad system to become a renowned Scottish 420 dinghy squad and Topper squad coach. He dedicated the team's success to the memory of his dad Alan and to that of Brownen Angus, a close friend who was one of the key organisers of the regatta, who his father Alan had taught to sail.

"I love One Design racing. Lately my daughter was racing and training in Hunter 707s at Port Edgar with Dundee University so we decided the 707 was the perfect boat for us. We got the boat a year ago and finished fourth here. But we have changed everything compared to what the others in the fleet do and it seems to work. We seem to be quick." Neville smiled in the Tarbert sunshine.

"It is great to win the Trophy. I won the Sonata class a few years back with eight firsts and have stood there at the prizegiving thinking....'maybe'....but this time it feels amazing."

Veteran Ian Nicolson lifted the CYCA Two handed class also counting five race wins on St Bridget.

CYCA 1 after 6 races:

1. Humdinger, John Conlon 11pts

2. Pipe Dream II, Andy O'Donovan 13pts

3. Ceol Beag, Donald MacKenzie 13pts

CYCA 2 after 6 races:

1. Sleipnir, Rory Chalmers 5pts

2. Arcade, Finn Aitken 9pts

3. Scruples, Chris Tait 15pts

CYCA Restricted Sail after 6 races:

1. Vasilia, Cameron Smith 4pts

2. Dark and Scary, Stevie Andrews 7pts

3. Honeybee, Iain Cameron 12pts

CYCA 2 Handed Restricted Sail after 6 races:

1. St Bridget, Ian Nicolson 5pts

Etchells after 12 races:

1. Bounce Back, Allan Manuel 14pts

2. Animal, Simon Reid 30pts

3. Living on the Etch, Katy Wedderburn 33pts

Sigma 33 after 12 races:

1. Mayrise, James Millar 13pts

2. Close Encounters, Griogair Whyte 26pts

3. Squawk, Paul Prentice 27pts

Hunter 707 after 12 races:

1. PO Ruth Neville 16pts

2. SeaWORD, Dara O'Malley 27pts

3. More T Vicar, Ben Williamson 27pts

IRC Class 1 after 9 races:

1. Something Else, Brian Hall 12pts

2. Mocking J, Ben Shelley 20pts

3. Victric 3, Michael Browne 20pts

IRC Coastal after 4 races:

1. Samurai J, Alan Macleod 7pts

2. Sloop John T, I & G Thomson 7pts

3. Spirit of Jacana, Bruce Douglas 14pts

EU Issues New Customs Guidance for Recreational Boats

 

The European Commission has published new guidance on customs and VAT rules for recreational craft across the EU. The guidance was welcomed by the European Boating Industry (EBI) and the European Boating Association (EBA), which said the document provides long-awaited clarity for boat owners and marine businesses.

The publication follows ongoing lobbying by both organisations for a more practical and harmonised interpretation of EU customs rules affecting leisure craft.

According to the Commission, pleasure craft used within the EU are generally presumed to have Union goods status. The guidance also states there is no general requirement for owners to prove Union status every time a vessel returns to its berth.

However, boats registered outside the EU may face more frequent customs checks.

The document further clarifies that a boat’s flag, registration country, or the nationality and residence of the owner do not alone determine Union status. The guidance also addresses proof of Union status, VAT issues and practical customs procedures affecting recreational boating.

Carol Paddison, Secretary of the European Boating Association, said the publication should help create greater consistency across EU member states. “We are pleased the European Commission has recognised that recreational boat users need clearer guidance,” she said.

“Although it doesn’t address the longstanding issue of missing paperwork, the document provides welcome clarification, which could enable more consistent application of customs and VAT regulations across EU member states.”

Philip Easthill, Secretary-General of European Boating Industry, described the publication as “a positive result” following engagement with the Commission. “Clearer interpretation of customs and VAT rules is essential for boat owners, businesses and authorities alike,” he said. He added that further clarification is still needed on issues, including long-distance cruising outside the EU.

EBI and EBA also stressed that the guidance is not legally binding and warned that implementation may still vary between member states. Both organisations said they will continue working with national authorities and the European Commission to support the harmonised application of the rules.

Cowes Week announces North Sails as new title sponsor

 

Cowes Week, the world's oldest and largest annual sailing regatta of its kind, has unveiled an exciting new title partnership with North Sails, the world's leading sailmaker. North Sails Cowes Week 2026 will mark the regatta's 200th anniversary from 1-7 August. Momentum is building with over 500 boats already entered to celebrate a landmark year for one of sailing and the UK's most eminent events.

The three-year partnership brings together two organisations at the heart of sailing, combining Cowes Week - where many of the foundations of modern racing rules were established - with North Sails's undisputed leadership in performance sailing from Optimist dinghies to the world's biggest super Maxis.

Robert Trimble, Chairman of Cowes Week Limited and Cowes Combined Clubs, commented, "Welcoming North Sails as Title Sponsor for Cowes Week's 200th anniversary marks an important moment for the event; the coming together of two organisations with such natural alignment allows us to deliver a more ambitious and enjoyable regatta. Launching the three-year partnership in our Bicentenary year provides the opportunity not only to celebrate this milestone, but to shape the next chapter of the Regatta."

United by a shared commitment to advancing the sport across all disciplines and levels, the collaboration creates a powerful platform to innovate, enhance the on-water experience and look toward the future. As Title Sponsor, North Sails will support new on-water technology initiatives, delivering improved data and hands-on daily performance insights for competitors, ensuring Cowes Week continues to lead the sport both competitively and technologically.

Sam Watson, CEO of North Technology Group, commented, "It is a real honour for North Sails to partner with a regatta as distinguished and loved as Cowes Week. We pride ourselves on supporting all our clients, from high-performance maxi racing with professional crews through to grassroots one design, weekend racers and classic cruisers. North Sails Cowes Week offers us the perfect platform to support an event at the heart of British sailing. We're excited to celebrate the Bicentennial, support our customers in their goals and help build an ambitious and bright future for such an iconic event."

Alongside the racing, the partnership will significantly elevate the shoreside experience for competitors, spectators and the local community alike, further building on Cowes Week's vibrant festival atmosphere. Plans include the return of the much-loved Friday night fireworks, alongside a series of new spaces and activations throughout the week. North Sails will also host an unmissable North Sails competitor party on Wednesday, 5 August, designed to bring together crews and owners alike, re-establishing Cowes Week as one of the most memorable and social events in the sailing and British summer calendar.

GB1 CEO Ian Walker concluded, "We're delighted to see North Sails become the title partner of Cowes Week. North Sails is such a natural partner for an event that brings together elite racing and the wider sailing community. On behalf of everyone at GB1, I'd like to congratulate the North Sails team and wish them every success as they journey with Cowes Week into an exciting new chapter."

National 12 class 90th Anniversary celebrations

 

Come and celebrate N1 Gipsy's 90th birthday at the Royal Harwich YC over the weekend of the 18th & 19th July! This event will include more Blood Red National Series racing as well as Vintage and 4 Plank racing. Join us for an exciting birthday celebration on the Saturday evening - entries and dinner tickets will be available to book online shortly.

If you haven't already - block out the date in your diary now!

The May bank holiday is in our sights, and immediately after is the Whitefriars SC event on the 30th and 31st May. This will be the third event in the Blood Red National Series and a coaching event. The lake is a perfect venue for vintage racing and the club has a great, friendly atmosphere! It's a busy weekend with the following activities planned:

Coaching:

all day Saturday

briefing at 10.30am

Vintage Championships:

3 races on the Saturday and four on Sunday (with the main fleet)

Briefing at 1300 on the Saturday

1st race for vintage fleet Saturday 1400

Briefing Sunday 1000

1st race Sunday 1100

Main open meeting:

4 races on Sunday

Briefing Sunday 1000

1st race Sunday 1100

Saturday night:

BBQ and evening social at the club

Camping available at the club

Details:

Location: Lake 26, Cotswold Water Park, Ashton Keynes SN6 6QR

More details in the notice of race: www.national12.org/events/2026/Whitefriars%20NoR.pdf

Enter at: portal.whitefriarssc.org/event/national-12-open-1

View the Poster: www.national12.org/events/2026/Whitefriars%20N12%20open%20poster.pdf

If you'd like to take advantage of Shoreham's camping facilities then you will need get your entry in soon. The club is taking bookings for camping through their Sailing Club Management system, but only once your entry is in. As we are sharing the event with the Hornets there are limited spaces and the Hornets are booking fast, so if you'd like a camping space please do get your entry in ASAP.

Event dates: 29th August to 1st Sept at Shoreham SC

Entry is available here: www.national12.org/burtonweek/entry

Didcot students learn new love sailing in six-week programme

 

A group of Didcot students have learned a new love of sailing.

Twelve pupils from Aureus School took part in a six-week sailing programme at Burghfield Lakes in Berkshire, organised in association with the Andrew Simpson Centre.

Students in Years 7 to 10 learned the basics of sailing through weekly two-hour sessions, helping them gain confidence both on and off the water.

Ali Mountain, special educational needs and disabilities coordinator (SENDCo) at Aureus School and organiser of the programme, said: "It’s a fabulous trip with well-trained instructors, and all the equipment needed is provided, including wetsuits, lifejackets, and helmets.

"During each sailing session, the students are taught about the boat, where they are broken up into small groups of around three children and shown the key parts and how it works, before they get onto the water."

The programme included one-to-one instruction as well as group activities, allowing students to progress from guided sailing to working together in pairs.

Ms Mountain said: "Each child is then taken out onto the water, one-to-one, with a sailing instructor to give them a chance to experience sailing and get a feel for what they need to do.

"As the children gain in confidence, they go out onto the water in pairs and are taught how to sail, including the positioning of the sail and what to do with the rudder, working as a team, and how to manage when the wind changes direction, et cetera."

Ms Mountain  highlighted the importance of making such opportunities accessible to all students.

She said: "Many of the children that we take on these trips do not have these opportunities outside of school – particularly sailing, as it is normally considered a sport for families who are affluent.

"It is part-funded by the Andrew Simpson charity, which means that it is more affordable for our students, and they are able to access this exciting opportunity."

Tenby Regatta 2026

 

Tenby Sailing Club is hosting its annual regatta and Osprey open meeting on June 13th and 14th 2026.

Entry is open to all dinghies for three races on the Saturday with the first start at 12:30 with racing kindly sponsored by Molson Coors brewery.

The annual race around Caldey Island on the Sunday is for yachts and dinghies with a PY of 1156 and lower. This race kicks off at approximately 11:00.

For more information and the NOR please visit www.tenbysailingclub.org.uk

Sailing around the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast

 

Here’s a relaxed but activity-rich 7-day sailing itinerary around the Bay of Naples and the Amalfi Coast. It balances short sailing legs with time ashore for hiking, food, archaeology, beach clubs, and villages 

Overview

Route: Naples → Procida → Ischia → Capri → Positano → Amalfi/Ravello → Sorrento → Naples

Best months: May–June or September (warm water, fewer crowds)

Sailing level: Easy to moderate coastal sailing with mostly short hops

Typical daily sail: 2–5 hours

Day 1 — Naples → Procida

Sail Approx. 12–15 nautical miles

Procida feels far more authentic and relaxed than Capri. The pastel harbour at Marina Corricella is gorgeous at sunset.

Onshore activities

Wander the fishing lanes of Procida

Swim at Chiaiolella Beach

Visit Terra Murata fortress

Long seafood lunch overlooking the harbour

Aperitivo by the waterfront

Evening vibe

Quiet, local, romantic.

Day 2 — Procida → Ischia

Sail Approx. 10 nautical miles

Ischia combines volcanic scenery, thermal spas, vineyards, and beaches.

Onshore activities

Spend the afternoon at thermal spas like Negombo or Poseidon Gardens

Visit Aragonese Castle

Wine tasting on Mount Epomeo slopes

Sunset hike or scooter tour

Optional snorkeling around volcanic coves

The island is especially known for its hot springs and lush landscape.

Best overnight anchorage

Sant’Angelo or Ischia Porto.

Day 3 — Ischia → Capri

Sail Approx. 18–20 nautical miles

Capri is glamorous, dramatic, and best enjoyed after the daytime crowds leave.

Onshore activities

Early-morning Blue Grotto visit

Chairlift to Monte Solaro in Anacapri

Walk Via Krupp and Giardini di Augusto

Swim beneath Faraglioni rocks

Dinner in Anacapri instead of busy Capri town

Travelers repeatedly recommend staying overnight in Capri to experience the island after ferries depart.

Evening vibe

Upscale but magical after dark.

Day 4 — Capri → Positano

Sail Approx. 13 nautical miles

Positano is the iconic cliffside Amalfi Coast town.

Onshore activities

Beach clubs at Spiaggia Grande or Fornillo

Boutique shopping

Sunset cocktails overlooking the bay

Optional cooking class

Coastal kayaking

Optional active excursion

Start the Path of the Gods hike from nearby Nocelle.

Many sailing itineraries include this Capri–Positano leg because it’s scenic and short.

Day 5 — Positano → Amalfi & Ravello

Sail Approx. 6–8 nautical miles

Amalfi offers history and easier access to inland villages.

Onshore activities

Visit Amalfi Cathedral

Lemon grove tour and limoncello tasting

Bus or taxi to Ravello

Explore Villa Cimbrone and Villa Rufolo

Attend an outdoor concert if timing works

Optional hike

Valle delle Ferriere nature reserve.

Ravello is consistently highlighted for panoramic gardens and concerts.

Day 6 — Amalfi → Sorrento

Sail Approx. 18 nautical miles

Sorrento is practical, lively, and a great final mainland stop.

Onshore activities

Explore Piazza Tasso

Lemon farm tour

Sunset dinner overlooking Mount Vesuvius

Optional Pompeii excursion

Gelato crawl through the old town

Optional full-day excursion

Visit Pompeii Archaeological Park or hike Mount Vesuvius.

Travelers often suggest Pompeii deserves most of a day, while Herculaneum is easier if short on time.

Day 7 — Sorrento → Naples

Sail Approx. 15 nautical miles

Final day ideas in Naples

Street-food tour

Underground Naples tour

Pizza pilgrimage

Archaeological Museum

Espresso crawl through the Spanish Quarter

Ideal farewell dinner

Classic Neapolitan pizza and local Falanghina wine.

Practical Tips

Most charters start from:

Naples

Procida

Marina di Stabia

Salerno

Weather

September is often considered the sweet spot:

Warm sea

Less crowded marinas

More stable sailing conditions

Moorings

Book Capri and Positano well ahead in summer.

Recommended pace

Don’t overpack the itinerary. The biggest mistake on this coast is trying to see too many towns in one day.

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Vaikobi British Finn National Championship 2026 at Brixham Yacht Club

 

For the second consecutive year, the British Finn Association is proud to announce that Vaikobi Ocean Performance has secured headline sponsorship of the Finn National Championship. This year the event will be hosted by Brixham Yacht Club, with racing taking place in the world-class waters of the English Riviera from July 3rd to 5th.

The championship returns to Brixham for the first time since 2019. This year's regatta promises to be a big event for the class, marked by a recent surge in entries at BFA events and a strong line up of sailors aiming to compete for the coveted Sunday Times Gold Cup and the prestigious title of British Finn Champion, hoping to place themselves alongside some of the biggest names in sailing, including Giles Scott, Ben Ainslie, Andrew Simpson, Chris Law, David Howlett, Vernon Stratton and the current title holder, Lawrence Crispin.

Brixham Yacht Club is renowned for its high-quality race management and hospitality; sailors can look forward to excellent catering and bar facilities to unwind after a demanding day on the water, all set within the charm of one of Devon's most iconic coastal towns.

Vaikobi continues its generous investment in the class by providing some great high-value prizes and official event shirts. This partnership underscores their ongoing commitment to the UK Finn class — a boat with an unmatched heritage and a thriving, dedicated racing community. Pat Langley, owner and founder of Vaikobi Ocean Performance, says, "Vaikobi are stoked to partner with the British Finn Association and work with Sail Performance UK to support their National Championship. We hope everyone has a great regatta!"

Designed and engineered by elite sailors with a passion for performance, Vaikobi sailing gear is available throughout the world.

Replica Viking ship leaves Kent's shores

 

A replica of a 10th century Viking ship is preparing to leave the Kent coast and return back to Scandinavia.

The Saga Farmann, a replica of the Norwegian Klåstadship which was built in 998 AD, previously sailed from Norway to Istanbul and travelled back through the Mediterranean and the French canals to London last year.

Emma Helgurson, who is from Sweden and is second in command on the ship, said: "I really like going back to the basics, doing this brings back something that we might have lost and forgotten."

The boat left the Isle of Sheppey on Wednesday and sailed round to Ramsgate on the East Kent coast in what Helgurson described as "rough weather".

The ship will now travel to Sweden, via Belgium, Holland and Denmark over the course of 15 weeks.

Crew members from across the Europe will learn how to sail the 21-metre ship, made only with hand tools from oak trees, across northern Europe.

Finn Christensen, who is from Denmark, said he has an interest in Viking ships from childhood.

He said: "Today is the first time I get to work on a ship like this.

"We are using traditional methods, all the ropes are called something different, all Norwegian names, so we have to learn them.

"It is physically very demanding to sail this ship and can be dangerous if things get out of control."

Bill Parr, from Westgate-on-Sea, said: "I got up at 02:00 this morning and we made our way round to Ramsgate.

"There's lot of great people doing this, it's fantastic, I have made some good friends."

The ship does have an engine, but is is only used when there is no wind.

It is also equipped with all the modern safety equipment, electronics and lights required for crossing the world's busiest shipping lane, the English channel.

Iconic offshore race sets sail from Cowes this weekend

 

THE iconic Myth of Malham Race sets sail this weekend from Cowes — placing the Isle of Wight firmly at the centre of one of offshore racing’s most respected early-season tests.

A fleet of 45 IRC yachts and six multihulls will line up on the historic Royal Yacht Squadron start line at 10am on Saturday, with spectators expected to gather along Cowes Parade as crews make final preparations from 9am.

From this iconic Solent start, the Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) race sends competitors west towards the English Channel — rounding the famous Eddystone Lighthouse, before negotiating a demanding return to The Solent over a 235-nautical mile course.

Short enough to demand relentless intensity, but long enough to expose weaknesses, the Myth of Malham is renowned for punishing tidal strategy, boat speed and crew stamina.

This year’s fleet blends experienced offshore campaigns, double-handed specialists and Corinthian teams, with several close rivalries renewed following a dramatic 2025 edition.

Multihulls are expected to provide early pace, while the corrected time battle under IRC is likely to remain wide open, deep into the race.

As the second event in the 2026 Cowes Offshore Series, the race also reinforces the town’s status as a cornerstone of the RORC calendar, with all seven races in the series starting from the Isle of Wight.

Fireball open meeting at Royal Torbay Yacht Club

 

In preparation for the Fireball World Championship later in the year several of the top UK Fireball teams took the opportunity to take part in the RTYC open event and to take advantage of sailing at the venue. Held over the weekend of the 16th and 17th May the Torbay weather gave both the competitors and race Committee many challenges over the two days.

Some of the teams took the opportunity to try new equipment and ideas whilst others were using the racing to get themselves acquainted with conditions that may or may not arise in the summer.

Saturday was the brighter and breezier day of the weekend with a shifty South Westerly - the bay faces East so the traditional prevailing wind comes over the land and not from the sea. It was a good test for the fleet with a not particularly warm 15 knots. Tom and Shandy took two races with Dave and Paul in second. Georgia and Ollie won the last race of the day.

Sunday started out promising, but as the rain clouds built the wind died before it came back again through the day in various directions and strength. The huge shifts - including one at 90 degrees - along with a torrential downpour gave the race team some challenges. After several postponements and abandonments 3 races were achieved - a big thanks to the mark layers who spent the day chasing around the bay in the rain!

DJ and Vyv won the first race of the day having missed out on Saturday with gear failure. Pete and Richard won the second of the day and Georgia and Ollie the third, but Tom and Shandy had done enough to win overall.

It was an interesting weekend with plenty to think about in regard to the weather. A big thanks to RTYC and the race team for hosting us and getting the races in.

Overall Results:

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

1st Fire in the Hole 15187 Thomas Gillard Andy Thompson Sheffield Viking SC Staunton Harold SC E 1 1 2 3 2 (DNS) 9

2nd Shrek 14940 Georgia Booth Oliver Davenport HISC/Northamptom 3 ‑4 1 4 4 1 13

3rd Not So 15155 Dave Hall Paul Constable Blackwater sc 2 2 3 ‑9 6 2 15

4th 15118 Peter Gray Richard Pepperdine Staunton harold 5 3 4 1 3 (DNC) 16

5th 15147 Paul Cullen Simn Forbes BBSC/SHSC 4 5 5 5 5 (DNC) 24

6th Blue Tack 14928 Anthony Willcocks James Willcocks Portishead Yacht and Sailing Club ‑8 6 6 6 7 3 28

7th Blackwater Flyer 15129 Nick Rees Evelyne Schotte Hayling Island Sailing Club 6 7 7 ‑8 8 4 32

8th Hell Bent for Leather 15144 DJ Edwards Vyv Townend Bough Beech SC (DNF) DNC DNC 2 1 DNC 36

9th Norbert 15045 Christine Willcocks Graham Slater Paignton S C 7 8 8 7 9 (DNC) 39

10th Creative Tension 14868 Tim Morgan Greg Wright Paignton Sailing Club 9 9 9 ‑10 10 5 42

Sailing spectacle returns to the River Thames

 

For the first time in half a century, 80 dinghies are set to race ten miles up and down the River Thames as part of the Tideway Dinghy Derby supported by Laing O’Rourke – celebrating a cleaner tidal Thames and supporting a life changing sailing programme for young people.

On 20 June the sailors will race from Putney Embankment, home of Ranelagh Sailing Club, to a rounding buoy (mark) close to the Houses of Parliament and then back to Putney for the finish. One of Britain’s most respected offshore sailors, Pip Hare, will be competing.

Organised by Ranelagh Sailing Club, the event will see the partial closure of the River Thames and will raise money for Scaramouche Sailing Trust – a sailing programme that supports students from the Greig City Academy into sailing and imparts valuable life skills. One such student is Kai Hockley, an alumnus of Grieg City Academy, who is now a key member of the F50 Emirates GBR SailGP Team as a grinder. His remarkable journey highlights the importance of initiatives and events like these in introducing young people to a sport that is often perceived as inaccessible.

The Tideway Dinghy Derby, last run in 1977 when over 300 boats competed for the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, returns in 2026 as the new Thames Tideway Tunnel (often called the ‘super sewer’) celebrates its first year of operation. The new infrastructure, along with the Lee Tunnel and major upgrades to Thames Water sewage treatment works across London, is dramatically reducing discharges of storm sewage into the tidal Thames, creating a healthier river environment for generations to come. More than 18 million tonnes of sewage have now been diverted away from the tidal River Thames.

The Tideway Dinghy Derby supported by Laing O’Rourke will not start before 11am or once the tide height has dropped enough to allow the fleet to safely pass under Putney Bridge. Prior to the start, the fleet of 80 boats (nearly 150 sailors) will be rigging and lining the embankment, where the sailors will be available to share what it means to them to be able to be part of this spectacular event on the River Thames.

Laing O’Rourke is the lead supporter of the event after successfully delivering the largest, central section of the Tideway in joint venture with Ferrovial Agroman. Having begun construction a decade ago, their teams worked day and night across eight project sites to upgrade the sewer system to help London cope with its growing population and clean up the river.

Speaking on supporting this event, a Laing O’Rourke spokesperson said: “Laing O’Rourke is immensely proud to have delivered a project that has transformed the Thames, making it possible for thousands to enjoy the river in new ways. Our teams worked tirelessly to ensure the Thames Tideway Tunnel would create a healthier environment for London, and it’s wonderful to see the community come together to celebrate. We hope this inspires a new generation to care for our river.”

The race will see Merlin Rockets, Fireflys and lasers compete. In this extra special year for the Merlin Rockets whose early years brought them to Ranelagh Sailing Club and the Firefly Class as they are both celebrating their respective 80th anniversaries.

Ranelagh Sailing Club is working closely with the Port of London Authority, who have agreed to a partial river closure on the day and hope to see develop into an annual event. Tideway, the company which constructed the Thames Tideway Tunnel, and Thames Water, who commissioned the tunnel, are supporting the event.

Speaking on the event, Tessa Fayers, Thames Water said: “As the future custodians of the Thames Tideway Tunnel – a significant piece of infrastructure that will help ensure a cleaner Thames for all river users and wildlife, it is vital that we support events like this.

“They demonstrate how far the Thames has come, enabling people to enjoy the river safely and confidently, while highlighting that its recovery and improvement continue.

“We look forward to supporting the event through our donation and seeing the Thames teeming with dinghies once more, as the race returns after a 50-year hiatus.”

Ranelagh Sailing Club and the Scaramouche Sailing Trust is grateful to all those supporting this event including Laing O’Rourke, Thames Water, North Cross and Linklaters.