7 Day Balearic Sailing Adventure

 

Here's a 7-day Balearic sailing itinerary that balances good sailing passages, anchorages, beaches, hiking, culture, and food. It assumes a monohull or catamaran charter starting and ending in Mallorca during the sailing season (May–September).

Day 1: Palma → Cabrera (20 nm)

Start from Palma de Mallorca and sail south to Cabrera Archipelago National Park.

Onshore activities

Walk up to Cabrera Castle for panoramic views.

Explore the island's nature trails.

Swim or snorkel in crystal-clear protected waters.

Visit the famous Blue Cave if conditions allow.

Overnight: Mooring in Cabrera (book ahead during summer).

Day 2: Cabrera → Colònia de Sant Jordi → Es Trenc (10–15 nm)

A relaxed day along Mallorca's southeast coast.

Onshore activities

Wander around Colònia de Sant Jordi.

Walk the dunes and white sands of Es Trenc.

Try paddleboarding or kayaking along the coast.

Enjoy fresh seafood at a waterfront restaurant.

Overnight: Anchorage near Es Trenc.

Day 3: Southeast Mallorca → Cala d'Or → Porto Petro (15–20 nm)

Cruise among Mallorca's picturesque calas.

Onshore activities

Explore the coves around Cala d'Or.

Rent bikes and ride coastal paths.

Visit the fishing harbour of Porto Petro.

Sunset drinks overlooking the marina.

Overnight: Porto Petro.

Day 4: Mallorca → Formentera (45–55 nm)

The longest sailing leg, ideally with an early start.

Arrive at Formentera, known for Caribbean-like water.

Onshore activities

Cycle the island's quiet roads.

Visit La Mola Lighthouse.

Relax on the beaches of Ses Illetes.

Enjoy a beachside dinner.

Overnight: Anchorage or marina in Formentera.

Day 5: Formentera → Ibiza (10–15 nm)

A short sail north to Ibiza.

Onshore activities

Explore the UNESCO-listed old town of Dalt Vila.

Visit local galleries and boutiques.

Hike sections of the coastal cliffs.

Experience Ibiza's renowned dining and nightlife at your preferred pace.

Overnight: Ibiza Town or nearby anchorage.

Day 6: Ibiza West Coast Exploration (15–20 nm)

Cruise along Ibiza's dramatic western shoreline.

Onshore activities

Swim and snorkel in secluded coves.

Visit viewpoints overlooking Es Vedrà.

Take a coastal hike near Cala d'Hort.

Watch one of the Mediterranean's most famous sunsets.

Overnight: West-coast anchorage.

Day 7: Return Passage to Mallorca (55–65 nm)

A full sailing day back toward Palma.

Optional stop if conditions permit

Lunch anchorage near Sant Elm.

Short walk with views toward Sa Dragonera Natural Park.

Arrive back in Palma for your final evening ashore.

Why this route works so well

Mixture of three islands: Mallorca, Formentera, and Ibiza.

Includes protected nature reserves, historic towns, beaches, cycling, hiking, and snorkeling.

Only two longer offshore passages (Mallorca–Formentera and Ibiza–Mallorca).

Suitable for intermediate sailors or a skippered charter.

Provides a balance between adventure and relaxed exploration.

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Tom joins Gery ahead of Round Ireland Race

 

One of Ireland's most accomplished offshore sailors has been confirmed as a late crew change for a leading French contender ahead of Saturday afternoon's start of the classic Round Ireland Race at Wicklow Harbour.

Meath sailor Tom Dolan, who was outright winner of the famous single-handed Figaro Race in 2024 has this week teamed top French contender Long Courrier skippered by Gery Trentesaux in the fleet of 56 starters expected to contest the 704 nautical mile course around Ireland.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the quaysides and coastal paths towards Wicklow lighthouse to watch the fleet begin the race with the Irish Naval Service in attendance for the traditional guardship role.

As always, weather will play a big role in deciding the outcome of the race and whether or not one of the exotic large boats can win overall or will a smaller entry seize victory.

Likely to take early leads on the water are Khumbu skippered by Guy Gillon and Venemous skippered by Venomous Graeme Lewis and Christopher Brook. Both will be trying to reach the Tuskar Rock off the Wexford coast and the turn towards the Fastnet Rock before the wind dies as currently forecast.

Later in the race, winds are expected to become favourable and even deliver the classic "Atlantic sleigh-ride" conditions northwards toward the Donegal coast. Avoiding being becalmed at any stage will be the leading boats' goal to avoid handing an advantage to the smaller entries.

"We're looking forward to the challenge of being one of the smallest boats ever in the race," commented Mick Liddy, a Search & Rescue helicopter pilot who is competing with Barry O'Connor on Bergins Katanca. "As always, when we turn the corner and head for the finish, this is where the race will be won or lost."

While the overall race is decided on corrected time, a system similar to handicapping the leading boats on the water will be vying for 'Line Honours' and the first boat home. But it could be several days until the true winner reaches Wicklow and overall result confirmed.

In the 2024 edition of the race, Howth entry The Big Picture owned by brothers Mike and Ritchie Evans placed second overall, narrowly missing victory by just five minutes.

"The excitement before the Round Ireland is like a five year old the week before Christmas with the anticipation - it's such a great event," commented Ritchie Evans. "We just need to go five minutes quicker and focus on getting through the tidal gates."

Meanwhile, ports and marinas from Howth to Greystones to Dun Laoghaire have been hives of activity as anticipation grows and crews start gathering from around Ireland and overseas. Safety inspections are being carried out on every boat and final provisions are being loaded. Saturday morning will see a steady stream of boats muster at Wicklow with crowds expected to gather from late-morning onwards.

Emirates GBR hoping to recreate success across the pond at Canada Sail Grand Prix

 

Emirates GBR currently sits second on the 2026 Season leaderboard on 44 points, 11 points behind Australia’s BONDS Flying Roos in first, while the US SailGP Team is in third on 36 points.

This weekend is set to be the first time all 13 SailGP Teams will be in action since February, as New Zealand’s Black Foils return to the race course following their crash in Auckland which led to their F50 needing extensive repairs.

The Brits are currently defending champions in Halifax after taking the win at the last event in the Nova Scotia city in 2024. Back then, double Olympic gold medallist Giles Scott MBE was at the wheel of Emirates GBR F50, and with Scott now Driver of the North Star Canada SailGP Team, there’s potential for some healthy competition between him and Emirates GBR Driver Dylan Fletcher MBE on the race course.

But Fletcher, who took over from Scott ahead of the 2025 Season and led Emirates GBR to championship glory at the Grand Final, said he was not thinking about “what’s happened in the past” in Halifax and was focused on the team’s performance this weekend.

“The last time the team was here they won which was fantastic but it was very different conditions to what we’re expected to see this weekend,” Fletcher said.

“The main thing we’ve been discussing as a team is just how shifty and tricky the conditions are here, so it’s not necessarily a venue to think about what’s happened in the past.

“It’s my first time racing in Halifax and I’m looking forward to it. It’s a fantastic race course in the middle of the city with a natural amphitheatre. It’s going to be a challenging weekend with very cold water but fingers crossed we get good breeze and great conditions out there.”

Following the Canada Sail Grand Prix this weekend, the Rolex SailGP Championship heads to Portsmouth for the Emirates Great Britain Sail Grand Prix on 25-26 July. The event will bring adrenaline-fuelled, close to shore racing to Southsea Common, followed by live performances by Jess Glynne on Saturday and Craig David on Sunday. Tickets are selling fast and it’s set to be even bigger than last year, which saw nearly 20,000 people attend across the race weekend.

This weekend’s action at the Canada Sail Grand Prix in Halifax is expected to draw in more than 12,000 spectators. The inaugural Canada Sail Grand Prix delivered one of Season 4's most memorable weekends, with rain, wind and capsizes. This year, it’s all to race for as teams look to bank as many points as possible as the championship enters to second half of the season. The action is available to watch live in the UK on TNT Sports 1 from 20:00 BST on Saturday and Sunday.

Blind sailor and stroke survivor overcome the odds

 

A blind sailor and a stroke survivor have qualified for a European championship – and they hope their success will inspire others to get involved in inclusive sailing.

Simon Mahoney will man the sail and Terry Shiels will steer the helm when they represent Great Britain at the Hansa Class European Championship in Barcelona.

The Derbyshire pair said they wanted their success in getting to the para and inclusive sailing regatta to encourage others to sign up to Sailability, which they have attended at Carsington Water.

Mahoney, 79, said: "When you're on the water, you forget the past, you forget the future, it's just now and it has an extraordinary beneficial effect on your mental health."

The former Royal Marines officer, from Ashbourne, said sailing had been a "very important" part of his life since the age of eight.

He started losing his sight in 2012, which he described as "very difficult", and became blind in 2020.

"I found being sight impaired a lot harder because my sight changed every few minutes, let alone days," he said.

"When you lose your sight, you go through a hell of an emotional firestorm and I knew that sailing would be ideal to get me back on an even keel," he added.

Mahoney joined a Sailability club, which use specialist equipment and modified Hansa boats, designed with a heavy ballasted centreboard.

This lowers the centre of gravity of the boat, acting as a counterweight to the wind in the sails, making the boats virtually impossible to capsize.

At Carsington in 2016, Mahoney teamed up with Shiels, from Belper, who said it was "life-changing" to be introduced to the sport.

Shiels suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2011, which caused a stroke and left him without the use of his left arm and limited use of his leg.

"At the time the statistics were 60% of people didn't survive, so I was one of the lucky 40%. Every day I remember that and tell myself I'm lucky," he said.

He added: "Once I'm in the boat and on the water, I can do anything that everybody else does. I'm on a level playing field and it's just amazing."

Shiels said he had been amazed by Mahoney's incredible hearing to identify approaching boats and race course buoys.

"One of the standing jokes is I have to be careful what I'm saying about him at the other side of the clubhouse, because he'll hear it," said Shiels.

The pair have been working "like an old married couple" to develop their sailing skills and teamwork to a competition level.

"If somebody had told me 10 years ago that we'd be going to Barcelona to compete in September, I'd say, 'Don't be crazy,'" said Shiels.

The championships are due to begin on 6 September.

Irish Challenge Builds For 2026 Dragon Edinburgh Cup

 

Irish Dragon sailors will be among a strong international fleet contesting the 2026 Dragon Edinburgh Cup and UK Grand Prix in Cowes this August. Around 40 teams from 10 nations have already confirmed entries for the championship, with six weeks still remaining before the initial entry deadline.

The regatta, which incorporates the British Open Dragon Championship and the third leg of the International Dragon Association European Grand Prix Series, will be hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron in Cowes from 16-21 August.

Ireland's challenge will be led by former Edinburgh Cup winner Martin Byrne. Irish sailor Nicola Halloran is also among a record number of female helms already entered for the Seagull Trophy. The fleet will include competitors from Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, the USA, Ireland and the UK.

Event Director Gavia Wilkinson-Cox said the championship returns to a venue closely linked to the trophy's history. "The history of the Edinburgh Cup is deeply rooted in Cowes, as it was here that the trophy began and was first raced for nearly 80 years ago," she said.

Wilkinson-Cox said organisers were working to deliver "the very best Edinburgh Cup/UK Grand Prix" and looked forward to welcoming both British and international Dragon sailors.

Championship racing will take place on windward-leeward courses in the central Solent from 18 to 21 August. Four races are required to constitute a series, with one discard permitted after five races. Race management will be led by experienced Dragon sailor and former Edinburgh Cup winner Rob Brown. "The Royal Yacht Squadron is once more honoured and delighted to be hosting this prestigious event," Brown said.

The race committee will use the Vakaros RaceSense system, which provides live start-line detection and race tracking for competitors, officials and spectators.

Among the international entries are Swiss sailor Jan Eckert, Germany's Christoph Toepfer, Belgium's Xavier Vanneste, Sweden's Jan Secher and defending Corinthian Edinburgh Cup champion William Swigart of the USA. The British challenge will be headed by four-time Dragon World Champion Andy Beadsworth, alongside recent Dragon Gold Cup winner Grant Gordon and the Louise Racing Team.

The event also coincides with the 70th anniversary of the British Dragon Association. Celebrations will include a special anniversary race on 17 August ahead of the main championship. Racing concludes on 21 August with the Edinburgh Cup and UK Dragon Grand Prix prize-giving at the Royal Yacht Squadron.

Local yacht club prepares to host GP14 World Championships

 

WITH less than two months to go until Holywood’s Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club hosts the GP14 World Championships on Belfast Lough, excitement is building ahead of the arrival of  more than 100 boats.

Taking place from August 8-14, the prestigious championship has already sold out in record time, with a waiting list in operation, highlighting both the popularity of the GP14 class and Belfast Lough’s growing reputation as a world-class sailing destination.

Visitors from across Ireland, the United Kingdom and further afield are expected to stay throughout championship week, generating a significant boost for local hotels, restaurants, cafes, shops and visitor attractions across North Down and beyond.

The championship will showcase sailing at its very best, with competitors ranging in age from just 16 to over 80-years-old, demonstrating the unique appeal of a sport that can be enjoyed across generations.

At the helm of the host club, is Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club commodore Lindsay McCarty Nolan, whose own sailing story began at just four-years-old.

A lifelong sailor, Lindsay also met her husband through the sport and is looking forward to welcoming competitors from around the world to the waters she has sailed since childhood.

“To be welcoming the world to Belfast Lough is incredibly special. Sailing has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It has given me friendships, opportunities and ultimately introduced me to my husband,” she said.

“Now, as commodore of the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club, it is a real privilege to help host this championship and showcase both our club and Northern Ireland to an international audience.

“We know many visitors will extend their stay to explore our coastline, towns, attractions and hospitality, and we’re looking forward to giving them a very warm welcome.”

The event is expected to attract large spectator interest, both onshore and online, with competitors battling it out across a week of championship racing on the iconic waters of Belfast Lough.

As the countdown continues, organisers believe the championship will provide a unique opportunity to showcase Belfast Lough, North Down and Northern Ireland to a global audience, while inspiring a new generation of sailors.

Further event announcements, visitor information and race updates will be released in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.rniyc.org.

Lymington Dinghy Regatta this weekend

 

The Melges 15 fleet is set for the Lymington Dinghy Regatta this weekend, with a fleet of ten boats expected to race. This event is jointly hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club and the Lymington Town Sailing Club, and has become a firm favourite with sailors.

There are still three charter boats available for the special rate of £195 for the weekend, directly from Melges UK. With summer set to return, this is an opportunity not to be missed! To book your boat contact Shaun on 07377 628043 or email shaun@melges.uk

When the temperatures rise, the Western Solent is renowned for its fantastic south westerly sea breezes, which will be perfect for the Melges 15 to get up and fly, especially off the wind.

The first race on Saturday is scheduled for a very civilised 1pm, while racing on Sunday is set for 10.30am, with a Saturday evening social at Lymington Town Sailing Club, tea and donuts after racing, and camping is available just a couple of hundred metres from the club.

Meanwhile, fourteen of the UK Melges 15 Charter Fleet are set for the Europeans at iconic Lake Garda to join the fleet of 40 boats which includes entries from Ireland, Spain, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and the Netherlands, UK, USA, Canada and Australia. Racing takes place between 3rd and 5th July as the fleet continues to grow on both sides of the Atlantic.

Melges UK currently have a fantastic June deal on ex-charter Melges 15s, available to purchase for £9,750* with trolley, top cover, sails. Contact Shaun and he can have it delivered for you to race this weekend in Lymington, and you could then head to Garda yourself!

Find out more about the Melges 15 at www.gpwatercraft.co.uk/product-category/boats/melges/melges-15 or contact Shaun Priestley at GP Watercraft today: 07377 628043, shaun@melges.uk

2026 Fireball Worlds - The Greatest Show on Earth

 

The Fireball World Championships 2026 in Torbay are almost upon us, and the race to become the fastest, cleverest and luckiest sailors on the planet is well under way.

Following the revolutionary 2025 redesign, Fireballs have become undeniably sleeker and sexier. The new boats look absolutely fantastic: carbon is now in the hulls, the rear decks have slimmed down, and the one-string raking systems have made life so easy that even some helms can now adjust their rigs without asking their crews which bit to pull.

With teams arriving from all corners of the globe, Torbay is preparing for one of the biggest and most fiercely contested sailing events of the year. Entries are rapidly approaching the magical 90-boat barrier. That's 180 sailors, thousands of tactical opinions and at least three arguments over whether the wind has gone left.

Of course, this isn't just a UK benefit gig... half the fleet will be coming from overseas. The local Torquay watering holes are importing Fosters in industrial quantities because we all know that the Aussies don't give a XXXX for any other type of beer, the Continentals will be arriving en masse....as long as they can find the M3 junction off the M25, and the Irish are confident of a win because, well, how can you compete with the luck of the Irish?

Off the water, there will be enough stories, rumours and questionable race analyses to keep the bar entertained long into the evening. Friendships will be strengthened, excuses perfected and at least one sailor will claim they "would have won if it hadn't been for that shift."

For anyone thinking about joining the fun, entries are still open, but boats are becoming harder to find than a Fireball sailor admitting they were over the line.

So what are you waiting for?

Whether you're a seasoned World Champion, a club hero, or someone who just likes going very fast with a friend while getting spectacularly wet, Torbay 2026 is the place to be.

90 boats... fifteen nations... countless stories... and somewhere among them, one crew will earn the title of Fireball World Champion and everyone else will simply blame the tide.

Come and join the greatest show in dinghy sailing because life's too short to sail boring boats.

The event is being hosted by Royal Torbay Yacht Club and is preceded by the UK Nationals. The Nationals run from Monday 20th to Friday 24th July (including inspection/measurement days) and the Worlds from Saturday 25th to Friday 31st July (including inspection/measurement days).

More information can found at: 2026.fireballworlds.com

Royal Highland YC Launches Season With Mull Muster

 

Perfect spring weather provided an ideal backdrop as Royal Highland Yacht Club members launched their 2026 sailing season with two popular gatherings on Scotland's west coast. The season opened with a Social Sailing Network cruise to the annual Mull Music Festival in Tobermory.

Yachts arrived on 24 April and took advantage of the harbour facilities provided by Tobermory Harbour Association. The three-day festival, held across venues throughout the Isle of Mull, featured a wide range of Scottish music from folk to contemporary rock and dance. Three days of uninterrupted sunshine helped make the event a memorable start to the season both afloat and ashore.

Just two weeks later, members gathered again for the club's annual opening muster in Loch Spelve. Yachts began arriving on 8 May for a pre-muster barbecue ahead of the main weekend event. While strong katabatic winds tested crews at anchor, sunny conditions continued and numbers steadily built throughout the weekend.

By Saturday evening, 50 RHYC yachts were anchored in Loch Spelve.

A highlight of the muster was the traditional gathering ashore at Inverlussa Mussel Farm, hosted by Douglas and Helen Wilson. Members enjoyed locally produced mussels from the Grade A waters of Loch Spelve while renewing friendships and discussing plans for the season ahead.

The club's next muster will take place at Lochaline on the Morvern Peninsula on 11 July. A fundraising collection during the gathering raised £1,107 for the Tobermory RNLI Station.

Ospreys at the Tenby Regatta

 

Seven Ospreys attended the Open Meeting at Tenby over the weekend of 13th and 14th June as part of the Tenby Regatta. After weeks of cold and rain Pembrokeshire lived up to its reputation and it was a pleasant weekend of warm and sunny weather.

Three races around the cans were held on Saturday with the "Round Caldey Island" long distance race scheduled for Sunday.

The breeze on Saturday was North Westerly coming over the land, varying in strength and direction giving a combination of champagne sailing interspersed with bits of high frustration.

The first race was definitely at the frustrating end of the spectrum with several examples of great skill in picking out the shifts to gain places followed by great misfortune while sailing into a hole watching others overtake. Dave Griffiths and Maurice Clarke won the race to retain the magnificent Galleon trophy. Fortunately Mrs Griffiths will not have to find anything else to fill the gap on the mantelpiece.

The second race was largely champagne. Ted Lewis and Lucas Boissevain led around the first lap but had clearly forgotten about the tide after a lay off from sailing. Their attempt to lasso the leeward mark with a spinnaker sheet and cause mayhem behind would have been successful but the mark tipped over and released the sheet. Dan Jackson and Matt Goldwait were clearly enjoying the conditions, in fact so much that they didn't want it to stop and instead of crossing the finish line sailed on for an additional lap. Strangely they were awarded first place - perhaps there is a local variation in Rule 28!

Just as it looked like the breeze may have settled it reverted to frustrating again for the start of the third race although champagne conditions did return.

It was a very enjoyable day sailing especially the champagne bits and followed by a great Osprey curry evening, at which Kenny proved he can eat three nan bread and a curry, finished off the day very well.

Despite a promising breeze on Sunday morning for the Caldey Island race this died to nothing when the fleet was around 50m from the beach and the race was abandoned. Disappointing as this race can be an awesome sail in an Osprey, but the correct decision in the circumstances.

As usual the Osprey sailing was very close with the final results all hinging on the result of race 1 where three boats crossed the line within a second. After a recount Paddy Lewis and Mike Priddle were declared the winners half a point ahead of Dave Griffiths and Maurice Clark who were a further half point ahead of Oscar Chess and David Downs. Although not entirely Osprey weather the Ospreys did well in the General Handicap results with the first boat in fourth place.

Overall Results:

1st 1386 Paddy Lewis and Mike Priddle 6.5 pts

2nd 1365 Dave Griffiths and Maurice Clark 7 pts

3rd 1348 Oscar Chess and David Downs 7.5 pts

4th 1380 Dan Jackson and Matt Goldwait 9 pts

5th 1338 Kenny Brown and Chris Butters 16 pts

6th 1342 Ted Lewis and Lucas Boissevain 17 pts

7th 1330 John McKellar and Alastair Knibb 21 pts

Royal Lymington Yacht Club X IOCA Optimist Development Weekend 2026

 

On the 13-14 June thirty young optimist sailors from around the south arrived at the Royal Lymington YC to attend a development weekend. Development weekends are regular events in the fleet's calendar but often focused on the more experienced sailors.

This weekend, organised with IOCA, was different. It was targeted at those new to the fleet with the objective of showing them that coaching weekends can be for them, that training can be fun and to leave them wanting to do more: sailing, coaching and racing.

The sailors were in very capable hands with a coaching team led by Lola Andrews, IOCA's regular coaching regatta lead, and Richard Mills, head of RLymYC's training centre.

Saturday was a test for the sailors. First, they had to navigate the Lymington river, busy with ferries, yachts, motor cruisers and other traffic, then they were out into the Solent. This was the first time sailing in the Solent for most of these young sailors so quite an experience. They sailed to Oxey Lake, part of the shallow water edging the Lymington-Keyhaven Marshes Nature Reserve, where the day's activities took place.

These included elephant ears, tack on the whistle and other exercises familiar to those that have come through the junior ranks. There was a break for lunch with Oppies tied up to coach boats giving the sailors a well earned rest. This was necessary as after lunch the day got even more exciting as the sea breeze kicked in and the wind began to build.

There were a few capsizes and some deep breaths but the sailors showed their resilience until finally the wind built enough that they were towed back in for a well earned BBQ on the club balcony.

Sunday started more calmly, with not a lot of wind but then it swung to the south and the sea breeze kicked in giving the sailors a day afloat in glorious sunshine and a perfect 8 knots of breeze. Early exercises were followed by an early lunch and then a very competitive race series.

Then one last exciting sail back up the river to the club, avoiding the ferry and trying not to go aground in the process. It was great to see the smiles on the sailors faces as they returned ashore, a little weary but with a strong sense of achievement.

The weekend introduced the sailors to lots of elements that are core to development weekends and IOCA events: coach briefings, rig checks, tallies, coaching exercises, lunch afloat, being towed and debriefs. This experience, over a whole weekend, means that these sailors know what to expect at any coaching weekend or event and, thanks to the efforts of the great coaching team, they can appreciate that these weekends are fun, not intimidating.

Thank you to the Royal Lymington YC for hosting, to IOCA for supporting and the excellent coaches.

Yare & Bure One Designs, Yeomans and Mixed Keelboats at Norfolk Punt Club, Barton Broad

 

Centenary events at this idyllic club continued this weekend with an open meeting for Yare & Bure One Designs (YBODs) and Mixed Keelboats which comprised Broads One Designs (BODs), a Yarmouth One Design and Yeomans who were sailing for their own trophy.

Five visitors made the journey from Wroxham Broad, including last year's YBOD winner, Fox sailed by Chris Bunn and Nikki Tansley. On Saturday they and a handful of others defied the F4 westerly and its hefty gusts by sailing the usual 2-up and with full rig. Others decided to take an extra crew and/or reef and some sat it out; everyone knew their limits. There were screaming reaches, nosedives on the downwind legs, and some weaving round on the gybes.

By the third and final race of the day there were fewer gusts and the Yarmouth OD joined the Mixed Keelboat fleet. Of note in this fleet were the 6 youngsters in the two Yeomans, 2 in each boat being siblings. Sibling rivalry? Never. Emily Drew and Ella Elson swapped helms and crewed by Mark Elson took two 1sts and a 2nd to Henry Drew, Finn Elson, Bertie Walker and Ben Cohen. NPC is proud that these four represent our club in the national Feva class. With their light weight and the Yeomans' powerful rig all 6 youngsters showed a remarkable level of boat control.

Visitors Rob and Gill Johnson in their BOD Water Rail won all the Mixed Keelboat races from Kathy Gill and Simon Learmount, also swapping helms, in BOD Greenshank. In the YBOD fleet, despite Jack Barnham and Alice Palutikov in Peacock taking an initial lead in race 2, Fox took the lead from the first mark to the finish in all three races. First NPC boat was Silver Blue with Simon Daniels and Alastair Drew taking a third in race 3

The pleasant conditions on Sunday brought all 12 YBOD entrants to the water. Sunshine and a lighter wind more from the north enabled easier course setting and a long beat up the broad and goose-winging on the downwind legs. There was a distinct differing of opinion as to which side of the beat would pay. Those who chose the east side were proved right. James and Simon Driver in Grizzled Skipper on their first sail of the season led the pack to the windward mark from Swift sailed by James Dugdale and Rob Ferrier-Hanger, and Peacock, with NPC's Reed Leopard sailed by Matthew Scott and Caroline Dixey arriving fourth.

On the ensuing downwind leg there was some dramatic gybing and luffing at the front of the fleet, with Swift taking the lead from Grizzled Skipper and Fox and Reed Leopard also in the mix. Jack Copping and Marty Thompson in Scarce Copper had found themselves in a part of the fleet where they did not wish to be, so took their chance in looping round the east side of the island and tightening up for the mark, but it did not to pay. Fox took the lead followed by Swift and in the final 100 metres there was some extremely tactical beating between Grizzled Skipper and Peacock, who finished seconds apart in that order.

Meanwhile in the Mixed Keelboat fleet there was also a split on the beat with the BODs taking the eastern side of the beat and the Yeomans the west. Kathy Gill and Simon Learmount in BOD Greenshank arrived first followed by young Ella and Emily in the club Yeoman Razzle Dazzle. Despite Henry and the boys in their Yeoman Turnstone being close, a riding turn took its toll and they could not re-catch the girls. Water Rail recovered from being on the wrong side at the start to overhaul Greenshank, and the Yarmouth OD sailed by Simon Jenner and Murray Corke took third.

By the final race the wind had gone more northerly still and the course was tweaked accordingly. Scarce Copper immediately tacked onto the east side and took a good lead, followed by Peacock and Silver Blue. With some bad headers affecting the first three boats shortly before the finish, Peacock held the lead and Fox had pulled through for a close 2nd just seconds ahead of Swift.

This time Henry, Finn, Bertie and Ben in Turnstone had a clear win over the girls in Razzle Dazzle, but it was Ella, Emily and Mark who triumphed for the Helios Trophy for Yeomans, counting three 1st and a 2nd.

Counting all 1sts Rob and Gill in Water Rail won the Pleasure Island Trophy for the Mixed Keelboats. With their one discard, Chris and Nikki in Fox were able to discard their second place, counting four 1sts to take the Consortium Trophy for YBODs. James and Rob in Swift were 5 points behind for second place, and 4 points behind them in third were Jack and Alice in Peacock.

The Whelpton Trophy for first Norfolk Punt Club boat was won by Simon and Alastair in Silver Blue. With such perfect conditions the club's afternoon all-comers races sailed the existing course. When handicaps were converted to corrected time the first 5 boats finished within 13 seconds of each other; despite being tired from their previous 5 races Simon and Kathy in Greenshank were 2 seconds ahead of Phil and Liz Ollier sailing their new Yeoman Fire Opal and Bart and Rosie Sawyer's Norfolk Punt Cormorant only 4 seconds behind them. In the final race, sailing on the average lap system, Cormorant won from Harry Scott's Elver.

Race officer Simon Clayton thanked all the participants, with especial welcome to the visitors, and his teams in the rescue boats and tea hut.

Overall Results:

Consortium Cup (YBODS) - Fox - Chris Bunn & Nikki Tansley

Whelpton Trophy for 1st placed NPC boat - Silver Blue - Simon Daniels & Alastair Drew

Helios Trophy (Yeomans) - Turnstone - Emily Drew, Ella Elson & Mark Elson

Pleasure Island Trophy (Mixed Keelboat) - Water Rail - Rob & Gill Johnson

Kestrel Scottish Championship 2026 at the Royal Tay Yacht Club

 

Hosted by the Royal Tay Yacht Club over the weekend 13th/14th June the fleet of 10 entries was reduced to 9 before the first race. First casualty of the forecast gale.

With 37 knot gusts on the Tay Road Bridge on the Saturday morning it was decided not to keep the fleet hanging about and to cancel all sailing for the day. This allowed for a root and branch tuning session on 1579 which was sporting a replacement mast.

The social programme was not affected by the weather and Friday evening's Italian meal was followed by an excellent Indian carry-out curry for 32 people on Saturday in the clubhouse.

Sunday could hardly have been more of a contrast. There was a brief postponement to allow the northerly wind to fill-in before the start of the first race which was an all class handicap for the Lawson Cup. This trophy has a long history on the Tay. In the 70's it boasted a start line with over 100 boats of all shapes and sizes.

This year's event was a more modest affair, but no less competitive, with the final positions for the Kestrel class being decided the last beat of the four race series.

The Lawson Cup was a foretaste of what was to follow. It was a day of sunshine and very variable gusts. There were place changes on most legs. The fleet bunched downwind and if you missed a shift up-wind you would be punished. Beating across the flood tide, with significant wind shifts, made for tricky decisions and determined the final positions.

Stewart Murdoch and Mhairi Murdoch finished first, closely followed by Malcolm and Danielle Worsley and Paul Barnet and Didac Lizardo. All three teams held their finishing positions on handicap finishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd.

After a lunch break classes had their own starts and three back to back races were sailed. There were incidents, it was incredibly close racing, in race three after two rounds there were still 6 boats overlapped at the leeward mark. There were 5 different leaders at different points. The early leaders were pulled back into the bunch.

It was Malcolm and Danielle who were the most consistent winning two races. Stewart and Mhairi were always close finishing on equal points, and both had to follow Paul Barnett and Didac Lizardo home in race three.

Malcolm and Danielle are the 2026 Scottish Kestrel Champions, worth winners after a very enjoyable day's sailing and a very close event.

Steve Worf and Dave Hearsum were presented with medals as the furthest travelled entrant having driven from from Southampton and Norfork to take part.

Sceighlan Tilson the newest member of the class was presented with a bottle of wine for completing every race in his first Kestrel travellers event.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Boat Name Helm R1 R2 R3 R4 Pts

1 1638 Malcolm Malcolm Worsley 2 1 3 1 7

2 1648 Pure Dead Seathing Stewart Murdoch 1 2 2 2 7

3 1633 Purple Paul Barnett 3 6 1 3 13

4 1615 The boat with no name Alexander Bremner 4 4 5 5 18

5 1606 Alison Jane Angus Broadhurst 6 3 4 6 19

6 1636 Kestrel Steven Worf 5 5 6 4 20

7 1579 Gaa Sands Kenneth Scott Brown 7 7 7 7 28

8 1585 Abertay Sceighlan Tilson 8 8 8 8 32

9 1586 Mayhem 2 Katherine Lawlor 9 9 9 9 36