Cyprus is a Mediterranean island known for its stunning beaches, rich history, diverse culture, and warm, sunny climate.

 

An  itinerary for Sailing around Cyprus that blends beautiful coastal sailing with on-shore cultural, natural and culinary experiences. The trip below assumes you’re starting/finishing in Larnaca or Limassol, both popular bases for charter yachts, and uses a mix of scenic anchorages and key towns to visit ashore.

🛥️ 7-Day Cyprus Sailing + On-Shore Activities Itinerary

Day 1 — Start in Larnaca / Limassol

Sail departure & settling in

Arrive, check-in and provision your yacht at Larnaca Marina or Limassol Marina.

Short sea trial and easy sail in nearby waters.

On shore: Explore the marina promenade, cafés, or old town; enjoy a relaxed dinner by the water.

Day 2 — Larnaca → Cape Greco / Ayia Napa

Sail: East along the coast

Highlights:

Anchor at Konnos Bay or Ayia Napa Marina.

On shore: Visit Cape Greco National Park with dramatic cliffs, sea caves and scenic trails.

🌊 Optional: Join a local catamaran or snorkelling cruise around Blue Lagoon, perfect for swimming and paddleboarding.

Day 3 — Ayia Napa → Protaras

Sail: Short hop up coast

Highlights:

Anchor off Fig Tree Bay, one of Cyprus’s most famous beaches with clear water for swimming and water sports.

On shore: Explore Protaras village, enjoy beach bars or rent paddleboards/kayaks.

Day 4 — Protaras → Famagusta Bay / Ancient Sites

Sail: North or slightly up coast

Highlights:

Drop anchor (or tie up if permitted) in Famagusta Bay.

On shore: Visit ancient city ruins at Salamis and wander through Famagusta’s historic old town — rich Roman and medieval heritage.

Day 5 — Famagusta Bay → West Coast (Akamas Region)

Long sail: Head west toward Paphos/Akamas Peninsula

Highlights:

Anchor near Blue Lagoon (Akamas) — stunning turquoise waters and great snorkelling.

On shore: Explore walking trails and hidden coves of Akamas National Park — excellent for hiking and nature photography.

Day 6 — Akamas / Paphos Exploration

Sail/Anchor: Stay on the west side

Highlights:

In Paphos, go ashore and visit:

The archaeological park (mosaics & ancient ruins).

Paphos Castle and local tavernas on the marina front.

Alternatively, explore Coral Bay or small coves for swimming.

Day 7 — Return to Larnaca or Limassol

Sail: Make your way back east

Highlights on way:

Optional stops at Pissouri Bay or Governors’ Beach for a final swim/snorkel.

Finish in your starting marina, rig down and enjoy a celebratory dinner ashore.

🌟 On-Shore Activity Ideas

Here are some optional experiences you can weave into your ports/anchorages:

🏖️ Beaches & Nature

Nissi Beach – vibrant beach with shallow water and beach bars near Ayia Napa.

Cape Greco Sea Caves – great for hiking and photography.

🏛️ Culture & History

Ancient Salamis ruins and Famagusta old town — Roman amphitheatre and Gothic churches.

Paphos Archaeological Park — UNESCO-listed site with ancient mosaics.

🍷 Food & Town Life

Cyprus is renowned for fresh seafood, meze dining and village tavernas — great experiences after sailing days.

Explore seaside cafés or local wine tasting in Limassol or Protaras.

🧭 Tips for Planning

Best season: May–October for calmer seas and warm weather.

Ports & marinas: Most stops have marina berths or suitable anchorage with good protection.

Flexibility: Weather and winds may shift plans — so stay adaptable with alternate stops.

Would you like help planning your next trip?

Please let us know about your sailing experiences and where you're planning to go by using our Contact Form on this Blog, with your requirements to receive immediate help and assistance and using our Vast Knowledge and Experience to Help and Guide You.

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GP14 season ahead of the Worlds kicks off with the Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club Spring Series

 

As anticipation builds toward the GP14 World Championships on Belfast Lough this August, the 2026 GP14 season gets off to a flying start with the RNIYC Spring Series. Beginning on 8 March and running for six weeks (with a short Easter break), the series marks the first major event in a packed and exciting calendar.

Already, 25 boats have expressed interest, with the Notice of Race now published on the RNIYC website. Now in its third year, the Spring Series continues to attract top Runners and Riders eager to sharpen their skills on the same waters that will host the GP14 Worlds later in the season.

Hot on the heels of the Spring Series, RNIYC will host the O'Tiarnaigh Challenge on 25-26 April. Another consistently popular event, it is expected to attract around 35 boats. With gate starts planned for the fleet, the weekend will serve as a valuable dry run for the World Championships.

In June (6-7June), the focus shifts slightly up the coast as County Antrim Boat Club hosts the Ulster Championships. Strong support is anticipated, including several competitors travelling from Southern Ireland.

While Belfast Lough features heavily this year, Howth Yacht Club will also play its part, hosting the Leinster Championship on 4-5 July. Many Northern boats are expected to make the trip south, continuing their preparations for August's main event.

The rest of July provides a short pause in the racing calendar after Howth, allowing teams time for final boat preparations before the build-up begins again with the Championship of Ireland, hosted by Carrickfergus Sailing Club on 1-2 August. Located just across the Lough from RNIYC, Carrickfergus is expected to welcome over 60 boats, including early arrivals from the international fleet, offering a superb opportunity for top-level racing ahead of the Worlds.

Then comes the main event: the GP14 World Championships, hosted by RNIYC from 8-14 August. In a staggering display of enthusiasm, entries reached the 100-boat cap within just seven days of the Notice of Race and entry release. A further 21 boats are currently on the waiting list should the cap be increased. The RNIYC organising team is actively exploring options to accommodate additional entries, with further updates expected in the coming months.

With five major events on Belfast Lough and one in Howth, 2026 promises to be a hugely busy and exciting year for GP14 sailors with everything to play for, and perhaps even a new World Champion to be crowned. Exciting times ahead!

B14 UK class looking ahead to Pathfinder Homes European and Global Championships 2026

 

Pathfinder Homes to sponsor 2026 B14 European and Global Championships in Royal Torbay Yacht Club, Torquay, Devon

The B14 Class Association has confirmed Pathfinder Homes as title sponsor for the Pathfinder Homes B14 European and Global Championships, set to take place in Torquay UK from 17-26 June 2026.

The 2026 event marks a major milestone being the 40th anniversary of the B14 class, which first hit the water on Sydney Harbour in 1986. Designed by skiff innovator Julian Bethwaite, the B14 was a game-changer for high-performance sailing and still looks as sharp today as it did four decades ago.

The Royal Torbay Yacht Club, a venue with a rich pedigree of hosting international regattas, will stage the championships. Competitors can expect classic Torbay conditions and a full week of racing alongside a packed social calendar to mark the class's 40-year legacy.

The Notice of Race has now been published and entries are open. Charter boats are also available — contact the B14 Class Association for details.

The UK B14 Class will be on show at the RYA Dinghy & Water sports Show 2026 in Farnborough, stand L38 where visitors can get a close look at the boats, meet B14 sailors, and check out the new carbon fibre boom. The updated rectangular boom section offers improved control, reduced weight, and enhanced performance and will become class-legal from July 2026.

UK Nacra 15 Class Association at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

Are you a Junior or Youth sailor thinking about your next class?

Do you like to sail FAST?

Are you looking for a friendly fleet with plenty of opportunities to attend International events?

Do you like different race formats: short course, long course and distance racing?

Do you want to race in a World Championship in the UK in 2026?

If the answer to any, or even better all, of these questions is YES please come along to see us on Stand A16 at this weekend's Dinghy Show! We'll have current class sailors on hand to tell you all about the Nacra 15 and you'll be able to sign up for one of the forthcoming Demo Days at Weston SC (Southampton) or Mountbatten (Plymouth).

If you're not attending the Show please sign up for a demo.

With good used boats available to buy in the UK now and a fantastic 2026 race programme lined up culminating in the Plymouth Worlds there's never been a better time to join the class!

www.nacra15.co.uk/getting-started/for-sale

nacra15worlds.com

XOD Class Association set for the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

The XOD Class Association will be exhibiting at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026 on stand C42.

On display will be Thom Board's beautifully restored Lucrezia X140. Lucrezia has a brilliant racing record especially in the hands of Ado Jardine who won the coveted Captains Cup in her in 2003. Ado recently paid Lucrezia a visit and was delighted to see her looking so splendid. On the stand will be Class experts with multiple Captain's Cup winner John Tremlett amongst others able to give advice.

At its last AGM the Class approved sitting four on the deck with an aim to encourage younger and more female sailors. The Class also approved an improved spinnaker design hopefully making it easier to set. 2026 is the Cowes bicentenary year, and the home of the Captain's Cup. After just a few days of entries being open, we have 17 boats entered already.

With Club racing in Poole, Lymington, Yarmouth, Hamble and Itchenor, together with the open Traveller's Series, there is something for everyone.

To find out more, visit us at the Show or on our website at xonedesign.org.uk

Albacores will be at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026

 On the water Albacores are known for close competitive racing, however even on land at the RYA dinghy and watersports show at Farnborough this weekend you can also see two Albacores within a few metres of each other!

On the class stand B40 is one of the newest Albacores 8264 owned by Shetland sailor Steven Brown (who is making a long trip to be at the show) with his boat appearing in its fully fitted out state following a second at last year's Nationals and a trip over the pond to the Internationals.

Only a few metres away (in fact just across the walkway) is the UK association demo boat in a capsized state in the RYA Knowledge zone where multiple National and International Albacore champion and sailmaker Michael McNamara will be using the Albacore to demonstrate the essence of sail tuning in his iconic talk taking place each day of the show at 15.30 (not to be missed whatever class you sail!).

Albacore sailors will be on the B40 stand throughout the show, happy to chat with everyone and supported by videos and information on this popular two person boat that has stood the test of time for well over 70 years.

Fireballs at the 2026 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

Riding high on the wave created by rule changes in 2025 and the 2026 Worlds being held in Torquay in July, it is hardly surprising that the iconic Fireball Class is going to be well presented at the Dinghy Show. However, I'm not sure anyone was expecting there to be not one, not two, not even three, but a whopping total of four Fireballs at the show!

All four boats are from Windermark Boats (the collaboration of the two UK builders; Winder Boats and Weathermark Boats) and are made to the new 2025 rules with the updated ergonomic deck and cockpit layout, carbon construction and adjustable rig raking systems taken back to the helm.

First up is the boat on the UK Fireball Association Stand (Stand D30) which has been built for former National and European Champion, Vince Horey. This boat has a fairly simple traditional layout with a single centre slung spinnaker pole.

Over on the P&B Stand (Stand L20) is the new boat made for Australian Ben Schulz in readiness for the Worlds in Torquay whilst on the Harken Stand (Stand H10) is a boat built for another Australian, Kevin Luff. Both these boats sport a twin pole system.

Over on the Allen Stand (Stand L30) is the boat that will probably cause the most debate. This is the new boat built for six times World Champ, Tom Gillard. He's gone radical!

He's gone for a spinnaker chute to make the most of the twin-pole option. Gilly is a multi-champion in both the Scorpions and Merlin Rockets so is well used to using twin poles and a chute, but no-one has competitively used a chute on a Fireball since the early 80's, the conventional wisdom being that the low freeboard on the boat means lots of water goes down the chute.

Everyone is waiting with interest to see how Gilly gets on.

Further details on the Fireball in the UK can be found at UK Fireball Class Association and for international see Fireball International.

70 years of Shearwater Heritage and Innovation - Visit us at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

In 2026, the Shearwater Class celebrates its 70th anniversary, marking seven decades since the class's inception in 1956.

Over that time, the class has earned a reputation as one of the United Kingdom's longest standing and most respected racing catamaran classes. Its endurance is rooted not only in performance on the water but also in a unique balance between tradition and development, including the unusual but enduring use of the Symmetric Spinnaker, a feature many modern catamaran classes have moved away from.

The Shearwater Catamaran was first developed in the 1950s by Roland and Francis Prout, who experimented by lashing two kayaks together with bamboo poles, erecting a mast and sail. This early experiment created one of the very first sailing catamarans. Recognising its potential, they went on to design and build a dedicated racing version: Shearwater I.

A defining characteristic of the Shearwater is its restricted development rule. Rather than enforcing strict one-design uniformity, the class allows innovation within carefully controlled measurement limits. This philosophy has enabled Shearwaters to evolve alongside advances in materials and boatbuilding techniques while still ensuring competitive fairness. From early wooden hulls to modern composite construction, each era has added a new chapter to the class's story. A key part of this tradition is the ability for sailors to either home-build using class-owned tooling or commission a professional build, maintaining accessibility while embracing innovation.

This weekend, that story will be on display at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, where the Shearwater Class is exhibiting on Stand B12 as part of its 70th anniversary celebrations. The show, one of the world's premier dinghy sailing exhibitions, provides the perfect setting to highlight both the heritage and the future of the class.

Fittingly, the Shearwater stand will feature two remarkable boats that symbolise the class's journey across seven decades.

The first is one of the oldest wooden boats still active in the racing fleet, a testament to the craftsmanship of early builders and the durability of traditional construction. More impressively, this wooden Shearwater is not merely preserved for display it continued to win races in the 2025 season. Its ongoing competitiveness demonstrates how well the original design has stood the test of time and how skill, tuning, and class development rules allow older boats to remain relevant on today's racecourses.

Alongside it will stand a nearly finished full-carbon Shearwater, representing the cutting edge of modern boatbuilding. Built using advanced composite materials, this boat showcases the technical possibilities permitted within the class framework. Lightweight, stiff, and engineered for peak performance, it embodies the forward-looking spirit that has kept the Shearwater evolving for seventy years. Pete Jary of Zest Boatworks, class sponsor and sailor, still has some work to do before the first Travellers Trophy of 2026 in April.

The contrast between these two boats one crafted from timber in the early decades of the class and still victorious, the other constructed in carbon fibre at the forefront of technology perfectly captures what makes the Shearwater unique. Few sailing classes can display such a tangible link between past and future within the same fleet, let alone at the same exhibition stand.

As the Shearwater Class marks its 70th anniversary in 2026, it celebrates more than longevity. It celebrates adaptability, craftsmanship, innovation, and a passionate community of sailors who have kept the boats racing generation after generation.

At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, visitors will not simply see two boats, they will see seventy years of sailing history, alive and still accelerating into the future. With a packed 2026 calendar ahead. Including six Travellers Trophy events and a week-long Nationals at Stone Week held at Stone Sailing Club in August. The Shearwater Catamaran continues to thrive on and off the water. The class includes sailors from 2 years old to over 70, all engaged and participating, proving that the Shearwater spirit is alive and kicking on and off the water.

Join us at 1300 at Stand B12 for cake and to celebrate our history and future.

RS Sailing at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026

 

The whole team at RS Sailing can't wait to welcome you onto our stand at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 21st-22nd February 2026 at Farnborough International.

Boats On The Stand

We've got a whopping 19 boats on the stand, showcasing everything from our UK heritage racing classes all the way through youth sailing, club racing and training options, right up to the modern, one-design keelboat, the RS21. This is your chance to get up close and personal with the boats and chat to our team who can help advise on what's the most suitable RS dinghy for you.

Race: RS100, RS200, RS300, RS400, RS500, RS600, RS700, RS800, 2000, RS Aero (7 Rig), RS21

Youth Sailing: RS Tera, RS Feva, RS Aero (5 Rig)

Training, Adventure & Beach: RS Zest, RS Quest, RS Toura, RS CAT12

You can also find an RS Venture Connect on the RYA Sailability stand.

Special Offers on Boat Pricing

All our RS boats will be displayed with clear starting prices.

Training & Youth (rotomolded boats): offer price includes a top cover and trolley.

Race (GRP boats): starting prices excl. sails and ropes, so customers can take advantage of 'RS Bespoke'; new for 2026 our opportunity for you to build your own package, using exclusive dinghy show offers:

15% off race upgrades

10% off trollies & trailers

10% off accessories

Selecting exactly what you want on your RS boat has never been easier. Chat to a sales team member on the stand to find out more. For full pricing, see here.

RS Sailing Store

New sails? Harken, Allen, Selden hardware upgrades? Kingfisher rope? Exclusive RS Sailing merchandise? The RS Sailing Store team are on the stand with a wide selection of popular chandlery items from the store. And that's not all...

Sails Price Reductions - 00' Classes

Following feedback from our UK 00's class associations, the RS team have been working closely with suppliers over winter to bring in brand new, reduced pricing for 00 classes and 2000 class sails. This isn't just a Dinghy Show offer, this is genuine price reductions that are here to stay throughout 2026 and beyond. On average, sails have been reduced by 20%. Check out the new pricing here.

RS Sailing Store Show Offers

As for the show offers, RS customers can make the most of:

25% off covers

25% off rope off the reel

10% off hardware

10% off merchandise

Up to 15% off sails*

* Valid on all non-00 classes boats (as these sails have already been reduced by up to 20%). Valid for: RS Aero, RS Tera, RS Feva, RS Zest, RS Quest, RS Toura, RS Venture, RS CAT range, RS Aira 22, RS21.

Offers are valid from 9am 21st February until 5pm 27th February 2026.

Can't make it to the show? Don't worry, these offers are still available online at RS Sailing Store.

Additional Offers

Chat to the sales team at the show to find out more about offers on part exchanges, used boats and the subsidised RS Tera/RS Feva scheme through the Eric Twiname Trust.

Something Special... 30+ Years of the RS200

To celebrate 30 years of the RS200 we've restored an original RS200 - one of the first ones ever built! Our Operations Director, Richard Frost, spied it on a used boat listing, purchased it and has lovingly kitted it out with our head of GRP Production (and general RS workshop Guru) Marty Miller.

The boat will be displayed side-by-side with the first ever RS200 to be #MadeinCowes in our factory on the Isle of Wight in January 2026. Marty Miller will be on hand to chat through the developments, the hardware upgrades, and fleet build consistencies in RS in-house production.

RS Games 2026 - UK Launch Party

Following the official entry launch of the RS Games at boot Düsseldorf in January, celebrations continue at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

Join us at 4pm on Saturday 21st February on the RS stand for coffee and cake as we share more details about what to expect at RS Games 2026.

Interactive Spaces for the RS Family

The RS Stand is about so much more than just seeing the boats (although we do LOVE that part!). RS Sailing is all about community, so this year, we wanted to create spaces for the RS Family to meet up, reminisce and plan future events together!

Fun Activities: Back by popular demand, the RS Hiking Challenge invites sailors of all ages to hold their longest hike. Stop watches at the ready, timings will be listed to beat on the RS board, with prizes for the ab-tastic holders! Knot-tying and splicing workshops, racing blow boats and other hands-on games will keep younger sailors engaged.

RS Heritage Wall: We've dusted off the archives and found some absolute gems from the last 30+ years of RS Sailing. Take a walk down memory lane with our heritage wall to see event photographs, RS newsletters, and brochures - some going back as far as the early 90s! You might even recognise a few faces from back in the day...

Meet The RS Class Associations

We're also joined on the stand by representatives from our UK Class Associations, who can help chat to you first-hand about:

Membership benefits

2026/27 event calendars

National championships and training opportunities

How to get involved

The strength of the RS community is central to everything we do - and the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show is the perfect place to connect. We look forward to welcoming you on 21st-22nd February 2026 at Farnborough International.

See you at the show!

Phantom Sailing - The Shape of 2026

 

The New Ovington Boats Phantom

The Ovington Boats new deck designed Phantom will be launching at this year's RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. The hull remains identical to every Phantom before it, preserving class parity - while everything above the gunwale has been re imagined and modernised for performance and sail ability.

A slicker deck with crisper ergonomics, the new design carries a clean, open transom that's all about freedom: clean-cut, easy access. Shallow or deep cockpit options are now available from build, with flexible control positioning and a multitude of other options, from knee friendly cockpit and side deck padding to integrated and streamlined compass mounting.

The cockpit is tidied for today's racing - smarter drainage, simpler systems - the boat feels instantly familiar yet even better to sail.

In short: same legendary Phantom hull, next generation execution.

The Racing Regional Calendar - Where the Action Is

Across the country, five regional circuits - North, Midlands, East, South East and South West will once again become the heartbeat of Phantom sailing. Local legends will be made, and as ever, each region will bring its own flavour to the fight. Here's a sneak peak on the action...

In the North, sailors will trek between the dramatic hillsides of Yorkshire Dales, the tactical racetrack of Hollingworth Lake, and the big water challenge of Bassenthwaite and Windermere. Expect plenty of hard charging downwind legs and a crop of new sailors looking to disrupt the established order.

The Midlands will see another bumper turnout, with Northampton, Grafham, Shustoke and Burton all lined up to deliver typically close, no nonsense racing. This region rarely disappoints - and with four events counting from seven, the leaderboard is bound to stay alive until the very last tack.

East Coast sailors return to Ardleigh, Stone, Burnham and the ever popular Creeksea, where the ebb and flow rewards precision and cool heads. There's always a punchy mix of experience and raw pace here!

In the South East, the fleets at Chichester, Bough Beech and Lee on the Solent will once again produce high tempo racing in tidal venues. This region often provides the sharpest early season form indicator - and 2026 should be no different.

And in the South West, the fleet heads to some of the most scenic, breezy and beautifully exposed courses in the country - from Chew Valley's rolling hills to Castle Cove and the long travel allure of Torpoint. When the gradient wind meets the coastline swell, the South West events can be nothing short of spectacular.

Find all events in the calendar here www.phantomclass.org.uk/this-years-events

The Optimum Time Inland Championships - All Eyes on the Famous Grafham Water

The jewel of the early season, the Inland Championships at Grafham Water, sits perfectly placed to shake up the national conversation before the run in to summer.

Massive, open water. Steady breeze. Long legs and proper championship courses. It's the moment where winter rust is blasted off and the sharpest sailors begin to separate themselves from the pack. With the Midlands Super Series woven into the same weekend, expect a monster turnout and a fiercely contested leaderboard.

The Craftinsure Super Series - Flat out all year

With the Super Series now running Inlands to Inlands, the pressure is on from the very first gun to the very last finish. No soft openers, no hiding places - just big fleet starts. Early season form at Yorkshire Dales sets the tone, Stone in the East, on to the Inlands at Grafham - then the tour barrels through the regions, Castle Cove, Northampton and Lee-On-The-Solent, and on to the National Championships - bank points wherever you can!

If you've been waiting for the perfect year to step up, this is it: the legendary Phantom fleet, fantastic venues, and a season long event!

Regional Training Days — Five Events, One Shared Path to Getting Faster

If the Super Series is where reputations are made, the five Regional Training Days are where sailors of every level quietly build the foundations that make those reputations possible. True to the Phantom fleet's famously friendly ethos, these sessions are less about hierarchy and more about developing together. From day one boat owners finding their feet to seasoned national champions, everyone gains, everyone contributes, and everyone leaves faster than they arrived.

On land, boats are set, rig tweaks explored and set ups compared in that open, collaborative style the class is known for. Out on the water, sailors are coached through drills and short course scenarios, learning not just how to go quicker but why the changes matter. And afterwards—often (always) back in the bar with a pint and a notebook - the honest reviews begin: "what worked, what didn't, and what we'll all try next time."

It's training without ego, progression without pressure - just a fleet moving forward together.

Five regions, five chances to level up, and a class that refuses to let anyone get left behind.

The Big One - The P&B Phantom National Championships, Tenby, Wales

And then comes the main event: the 2026 P&B Phantom National Championships, hosted 3-6 September by Tenby Sailing Club, possibly the most beautiful championship venue on the UK circuit.

Cradled by golden beaches and clear waters, Tenby offers the perfect storm of glamour and challenge. Swell rolling up the Bristol Channel, Champagne sparkle sea states on a sunny day, tactical cliffs and headlands, and the kind of hospitality that turns a championship into a holiday. It's no exaggeration to say the Nationals in Tenby could be massive - in numbers, quality, and atmosphere.

With twenty one events feeding into the build up, the form book will be wide open. Tight racing, big launches off the line, and full send downwind legs are virtually guaranteed. For many sailors, this will be the event of the year.

www.phantomclass.org.uk

Solo class at the Dinghy Show and 70 Years of History

 

The 2026 season is soon to kick-off, starting with the RYA Dinghy Show at Farnborough (Feb 21/22). The Association team will be on hand to help answer all things Solo as we celebrate the class 70th anniversary alongside the 50th anniversary of Winder Boats.

Tom Gillard's new boat will be on the stand, plus we have Adrian Griffins' classic boat 504, built in 1963, complete with wooden spars and cotton sail. A great opportunity to see how the class has progressed over the years.We look forward to seeing you there.

Catch it right and you may get to enjoy a glass of champagne and a slice of cake!

We hope you enjoy the latest SoloMagnificent, 70 years of history and great reading:

online.flippingbook.com/view/387578434

Beyond the Show, our first Super Series event of 2026, the Winter champs, will be at Northampton Sailing Club 7th March.

Entry is now open. After a great turnout at the EOS, let's see if we can push for 50 plus boats at the Winters. I'm sure, like me, many of you are very keen to get racing again after this winter. I hope all your training has gone well!

FYI, entry to the P&B Nations Cup in Quiberon and Noble Marine Nationals at lovely Royal Torbay YC, will be opening shortly.

Blithfield Barrel 2025/26 - Week 4

 

After three character-building winter rounds held across November, December and January, the final round of the Blithfield Barrel Winter Series arrived with a forecast that at last promised something more decisive. That optimism was enough to draw 35 boats to the line, contributing to an impressive 56 different boats that competed across the full Blithfield Barrel winter series.

The forecast suggested a southerly breeze veering west, with talk of gusts touching 23 knots. In reality, Blithfield delivered something far more familiar: a light and fickle wind that peaked at around 10 knots, with the much-anticipated breeze only filling in once all boats were back on their trailers.

Race One

The opening race got away cleanly, with a long start line and a pronounced sag through the middle. As it turned out, the pin end was probably the favoured place to start, although this was far from obvious at the time, with many of the faster boats bunched together at this pin end.

First around the windward mark were Charlie Chandler and Olly Hopkins in the Osprey, followed closely by the now-familiar Merlin Rocket gaggle, led once again by James Wells. The Osprey stretched away convincingly on the water and sailed an excellent race, but on corrected time the Merlins and Larks were ahead, particularly Stuart Hydon, sailing faultlessly in the Lark.

Despite leading on the water, the Osprey could not make sufficient ground to overcome the handicap spread, and Hydon once again emerged on top, continuing the consistency that had defined his winter campaign.

Race Two

Race two began in even lighter airs, with another clean start and a necessary course change as the wind continued to play its usual tricks. For a moment it was alarming to see boats starting at the committee-boat end laying the windward mark straight off the line, before the breeze resumed direction halfway up the beat and restored a proper upwind leg.

A Merlin Rocket rounded first, followed by the Osprey, then three more Merlins in close company, with the Finn not far behind.

With conditions marginal and fading, the race team shortened the course, aiming to condense the fleet and allow a fair, prorated finish.

The forecast gusts finally arrived but only once every boat was ashore and derigged, a frustration familiar to anyone who sails winter handicap racing in the UK.

Throughout the day, race officer Steve Leney ran excellent racing in challenging and changeable conditions. He was ably supported by his team on the committee boat, the rescue craft, and onshore, whose combined efforts ensured safe, fair racing and well-judged course management.

The format of two back-to-back races proved popular and might be retained next season.

Round Four Results: (Races 7 & 8)

1. Stuart & Nick Hydon - Lark 2495

2. James Wells & Anna Aylward - Merlin Rocket 3746

3. Samuel Bailey & Holly Evans - Lark 2536

Overall Winter Series Results

Perhaps coincidentally — or perhaps not — the overall series standings mirrored the final round results, underlining the importance of consistency across a winter that demanded adaptability in every race.

1. Stuart & Nick Hydon - Lark 2495

2. James Wells & Anna Aylward - Merlin Rocket 3746

3. Samuel Bailey & Holly Evans - Lark 2536

Prizes for both the February Barrel race and the overall Blithfield Barrel Winter Series winners were presented at the end of the day by club Commodore Peter Slater, bringing the series to a fitting close.

Exmoor Beastie to be held on 22nd March

 

Wimbleball Sailing Club are pleased to confirm the Exmoor Beastie is scheduled for 12.00 noon on Sunday 22nd March 2026.

The Lake is full (no surprise there), the setting is superb, and coupled with a hospitable welcome, backed up with galley and licensed offerings in play, there is no reason to stay at home.

The race is a 3-hour handicap pursuit for boats with a handicap under 1208 using the Great Lakes yardsticks.

Online registration and more information is available at www.wimbleballsc.com