Cadet Open 2026 at Waldringfield Sailing Club

 

Nineteen boats gathered at Waldringfield for the Cadet Open on Sunday 1 November, with six races completed in challenging but enjoyable light winds.

It was particularly encouraging to see such a young fleet, with seven Under-13 helms making this one of the youngest cohorts in the fleet for several years. A good contingent of travellers from Welsh Harp, Frensham Pond and Fishers Green was warmly welcomed.

A light northerly breeze greeted the fleet. There was just enough wind to make progress against the tide, allowing the first three races to get away in the river in front of the club.

As the tide came in, the course was moved upriver, beyond the island, where the water was slacker and conditions a little more favourable. This provided the setting for the final three races.

Efficient turnarounds between races meant that size races were completed without keeping the sailors out on the water for unnecessarily long period.

The battle for the overall title couldn't have been closer. Samuel English and Sam Flood started with 2 first places. Emily Krailing and Evie Winchester hit back with 3 straight wins, before Samuel and Sam won the final race. So Samuel and Sam finished level on points with Emily and Evie, with Samuel and Sam taking the Harris Salver thanks to their better result in the final race. Behind them, Lewis Walker and Issy Stock were remarkably consistent with 3rd in every race, including a capsize after an over zealous roll tack.

In the Silver fleet, Jasper Bush and Henry Lowe started well with a 2nd. Zoe Thomas and Lisa Gass found their form after the course moved upriver, but it was not enough to beat Jasper and Henry. Ella Edwards and Edith Pynn finished strongly with a 2nd in the final race.

Clementine Denny-Pickess & Rose Lowe excelled in the regatta fleet ahead of Camille Ballam and Isla Robson with Vivienne Letts and Evie Owers in 3rd. The new helms have clearly been making big improvements from the Autumn training programme.

Gold Fleet

1st overall - Harris Salver and Most Improved: Samuel English & Sam Flood

2nd overall, Best Under-15 Helm and 1st Female: Emily Krailing & Evie Winchester

3rd overall: Lewis Walker & Issy Stock

Silver Fleet

1st Silver and Under-14 Helm: Jasper Bush & Henry Lowe

2nd Silver: Zoe Thomas & Lisa Gass

3rd Silver: Ella Edwards & Edith Pynn

Other Awards

1st WSC Non-Travelling: Rosemary Fish

Under-13: Ollie Walker

Regatta Fleet

1st: Clementine Denny-Pickess & Rose Lowe

2nd: Camille Ballam & Isla Robson

3rd: Vivienne Letts & Evie Owers

One thing particularly noticed by the Race Officer was the excellent manners of the competitors. The sailors made a point of thanking the committee boat at the finish of every race - a small gesture, but one that was greatly appreciated and reflects very well on the fleet.

Halloween Spooks the Young Guns at Chipstead Sailing Club

 

At the end of every season we run the Young Guns event at Chipstead SC, giving all the Chipmates the opportunity to put everything they have learnt during the season into practice in a two-race series. This year's event took place on 31st October, which meant that quite a few sailors turned up in fancy dress!

When the duty crew arrived at 0830, a very spooky fog was hanging over the lake. In fact, we couldn't even see the nearest mark! The fog gradually cleared and by the 0930 briefing we could just about make out most of the marks and even see the other side of the lake. The wind, however, was still non-existent. The race officer crossed his fingers and went ahead, setting a short course based on the forecast wind direction.

The sailors were split into two fleets; the main comprised our more experienced sailors, while the all-girl rookie fleet was made up of five who had only started sailing this year. The main fleet started first on a larger course, with the rookies setting off five minutes later on a slightly shorter course.

As the 33 boats launched, the faintest zephyr of wind arrived and gradually began to build, thankfully from the forecast direction. The 28-boat main fleet was first away, with Tom's ILCA 6 taking an early lead, closely followed by Sam in his ILCA 7. As the wind strengthened, the leading boats managed four laps, but the faster boats couldn't pull far enough ahead of Adam and Joshua Gillow's Mirror. After handicaps were applied, the Gillow brothers took the win, followed by the Toppers of Alexander and Will S, Mim just behind in her ILCA 4. Meanwhile, the rookie fleet was enjoying its own race on the smaller course. Aisling sailed her Topper brilliantly to take the win, ahead of the Optimists sailed by Astrid and India Rose.

After a brief break ashore, the race committee decided that the wind had built sufficiently to change the course for race two, making use of the full length of the lake - something that isn't possible during Junior Saturday morning sailing.

In the main fleet, Mim took an early lead, with the Feva of Aidan and Honor (aka Mr and Mrs Incredible) and Will WO's ILCA 4 also clearly enjoying the larger course. The faster boats managed two laps, while Adam and Joshua's Mirror found it harder to pull away from George in his Topper. However, they eventually built enough of a gap to take the win on handicap, with George finishing second and Mim third. In the rookie fleet, Aisling once again showed her class in the Topper, pulling sufficiently far ahead of the other sailors to secure another win, ahead of India Rose and Astrid.

Final results saw Adam and Joshua taking home the Young Guns trophy as well as the Brian Osgood trophy for the first double-hander, with Aisling crowned rookie fleet winner.

Prizewinners:

1st overall (and 1st double-hander) - Adam & Joshua

2nd overall - Mim

3rd overall - Alexander

2nd girl - Beatrice

3rd boy - Will WO

3rd girl - Amy

Highest placed in fancy dress - Aidan & Honor

1st Club Oppie - Monty

1st club Topper - Izzy

1st rookie - Aisling

2nd rookie - India Rose

3rd rookie - Astrid

Tickets on sale now for the 2027 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show

 

The UK's biggest celebration of small-boat sailing and watersports is back at Farnborough International on 20-21 February 2027, bringing together thousands of sailors, windsurfers, foilers, wingers, paddleboarders and watersports enthusiasts for an unmissable weekend.

Whether you're passionate about getting out on the water, keen to discover the latest innovations, looking for inspiration or eager to pick up expert tips and advice, there's something to get everyone excited.

What's new for 2027

The 2027 show will introduce some exciting new features, designed to help visitors get even more from their day.

Making its debut for 2027, the Wind & Foil Stage will become the home of all things windsurfing, winging and foiling. Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of talks, interviews and coaching sessions, hearing from leading riders, coaches and personalities from across these rapidly growing disciplines. Whether you're completely new to windsurfing and winging or looking to progress into wing racing, there's something for everyone.

Get close to the action with insights and knowledge from SailGP and the America's Cup. Discover what it really takes to compete at the very highest level of the sport.

Also new for 2027, is the Boat Park which can be found next to the Rockley clubhouse creating a dedicated hub for youth and junior classes. Explore an exciting line-up of boats all in one place, meet the class experts and pick up top tips straight from the coaches. With a series of bite-sized practical technical talks, young sailors can get hands-on inspiration, build their skills and confidence, and discover how to take their sailing to the next level.

Come along, ask questions and get inspired to get on the water.

Alongside these new additions, there will be the show’s returning highlights such as the Knowledge Stage, NextGen Zone, Sustainability Hub, Tech Hub and Interactive Zone. Visitors can enjoy a packed programme of stage presentations, coaching sessions, interactive features and exhibitor displays designed to help them get the most from their time on the water in 2027 and beyond.

A show for everyone who loves life on the water

"What makes the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show unique is that it brings the watersports community together under one roof at the perfect time of year to really kick start the season" said Show Manager Celia Edgington.

"Whether you're completely new to sailing and watersports, returning after time away, or looking to take your skills to the next level, the show is designed to help you discover new opportunities, gain inspiration from some of the sport's most knowledgeable voices and make real progress towards your goals on the water.

We are incredibly grateful to our event partners MG, Sunsail, Musto and Rockley Watersports, and our media partners YachtsandYachting.com, Windsurf, Sailing Today with Yachts & Yachting and SUPBoarder for helping us create another fantastic event.

"We can't wait to welcome visitors from across the UK as we kick-start the 2027 season together."

Get your tickets today

Tickets are on sale now, with RYA members able to claim a free two-day ticket worth £23. Non-member ticket prices start from just £15.50, while children aged 15 and under can enter free with a ticketed adult.

Book now at www.dinghyshow.org.uk and be part of the UK's biggest dinghy sailing and watersports gathering.

Follow the show's social media channels (Instagram & Facebook) for the latest exhibitor announcements, speaker reveals and event updates as excitement builds towards the 2027 RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

2027 Fireball Nationals to be held at Saundersfoot

 

After a hugely successful Nationals and Worlds this summer at Torquay, the Fireballs are heading to the popular seaside resort of Saundersfoot in South Wales for their 2027 National Championship.

Racing will take place across four days: from Friday 18th to Monday 21st June.

It's the first time that the Fireballs have been to Saundersfoot, but it is a club that is used to running big events including the annual Coppet Week.

UKFA Chairman, Richard Botting, commented: "We are really lucky to have secured Saundersfoot SC as our 2027 host. It's a cracking venue and offers something for everyone, both on and off the water."

More details will be released in due course.

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

Women and Girls ILCA training at Grafham funded by RYA Evolution and Sport England

 

It was another windy weekend at Grafham Water Sailing Club on Saturday, 10th October, for the latest Women and Girls ILCA training session. With Grafham set to host the upcoming Inland Championships, it was the perfect opportunity for sailors to get out on the water and familiarise themselves with the venue.

A large group gathered for the event, featuring a great mix of women and girls across both the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 fleets. The day was led by Head Coach Charlotte Fensom, supported by Senior Coach Jack Graham-Troll.

The session kicked off with a quick round of introductions before diving into boat setups and sail controls. Afterwards, the fleet headed back into the warm clubhouse to go over the planned on-water exercises.

Once out on the water, the wind began to build. The sailors started with a "follow-the-leader" upwind drill before moving on to a windward-leeward course. As several squalls blew through, conditions grew challenging, leading to quite a few capsizes and making it tricky to maintain speed and direction. Although several of the sailors did an amazing job managing the heavy breeze.

Returning to shore for a well-deserved lunch, the Grafham club members were exceptionally welcoming and helped pull boats up the slipway. Following lunch, the group held a debrief and paired up to set their individual focus areas for the afternoon session. However, shortly after relaunching, the wind built so much that Grafham closed the water, forcing an early retreat to shore.

With the boats packed away, the group took advantage of the extra time ashore for a comprehensive debrief. It proved to be a fantastic opportunity to deepen their knowledge on a wide range of topics, with everything from tell-tales to body position in the boat.

A massive thank you goes to coaches Charlotte and Jack, Grafham Water Sailing Club, and the ILCA UK class association, without whom the event wouldn't have been possible. Special thanks also to the RYA Evolution Fund and Sport England for financially supporting this initiative.

Upcoming Events & Host Opportunities:

Next Session: Delph Sailing Club - 12th December

Booking: Visit ILCA UK Events to secure your spot

Future Dates: Look out for upcoming sessions at Parkstone (February) and Royal Harwich

Interested in hosting a session at your club? Please reach out to the team at training@ilca.uk or women@ilca.uk

Salcombe Yacht Club Winter Series 2026 - Race 1

 

Saturday 31st October saw ten Solo sailors come to the Salcombe Yacht Club starting line for the opening race of the Winter Series, in a variable force 3 westerly breeze on an ebb tide.

Race Officer Dan Bridger and his able assistant Gail, set a course to Yalton, back to Blackstone followed by Crossways returning to Blackstone.

At the start the fleet split with Chris Cleaves and James Greenhill starting from the East Portlemouth shore, pushing across the building ebb tide, and leading into the harbour moorings, with Tim Fells leading the contingent starting off the Salcombe shore.

There followed a chase to the entrance of Yalton Creek, with Cleaves, Greenhill, Fells and Dobson emerging as the leading group following a shifty beat.

Following the run back to Blackstone, whilst the leaders headed toward Biddle Head, Fells tacked at the mark to progress into the lead, however a capsize off the Ferry saw Cleaves, Dobson and Greenhill march on.

The crossing from Snapes to Crossways saw Cleaves consolidate his lead from Dobson and Greenhill. But as they approached Blackstone the wind died and with the tide ebbing fast, the fleet compressed.

Cleaves was the first to round the leeward mark and managed to get a tack in and clear the mark, however the following group were less fortunate, washed down tide before being able to clear the mark, which allowed Mark Waterhouse and Tim Fells to grab the opportunity to round second and third. This order was maintained to the finish.

Forestay versus Backstay - The Key to Upwind Performance

 

When it comes to upwind performance, getting your rig setup right is fundamental to achieving optimal sail shape.

Two of the most important loads to understand are forestay and backstay.

Forestay tension: 

As four-time Volvo Ocean Race winner Stu Bannatyne puts it: "Matching forestay tension to the wind and sails is the key to upwind performance."

If you're only monitoring one load onboard your yacht, it's likely to be forestay tension. Having an idea of your forestay tension can reveal a picture of the overall dynamic balance of loading throughout the rig and you can make significant gains by optimising it.

In lighter conditions, lower forestay tension generally allows more sag, creating a fuller headsail and generating more power. As the breeze builds, increasing forestay tension reduces sag, flattening the headsail and helping manage excess power and drag.

The objective is to achieve the right amount of sag for the conditions. Measuring forestay load provides a precise, repeatable reference, especially when paired with a polar chart of optimal loads for a range of conditions.

With a smarttune installed on the forestay, the trimmer can see live loads via onboard displays, helping them perfect sail shape on the fly.

Backstay tension: 

On many racing yachts, backstay tension is a primary control for both forestay sag and mast bend, influencing the shape of the headsail and mainsail simultaneously.

Low loading on the backstay maintains a straight mast and a deep mainsail, ideal when searching for power.

Higher load on the backstay increases forestay tension, reducing sag and inducing mast bend. This flattens the mainsail, ideal for when the yacht is overpowered.

But its significance depends on the rig. On a masthead rig, increasing backstay tension generally translates relatively directly into greater forestay tension. On a fractional rig, increasing backstay tension often produces more significant mast bend, while the resulting change in forestay tension depends on the rig's geometry and supporting rigging. This means two boats with the same backstay load won't necessarily have the same forestay tension or sail shape.

Understanding the balance: Why measure both?

Measuring both forestay and backstay load helps the crew understand how adjustments to one influence the other. Rather than relying on backstay settings alone to estimate forestay tension, trimmers can see the actual loads and establish repeatable targets for different conditions.

Other controls, including shroud tension, mainsheet and traveller settings, also influence sail shape and power. But understanding forestay and backstay loads provides a valuable foundation for more precise upwind rig tuning.

By monitoring forestay and backstay loads alongside wind conditions, sail selection and boat speed, crews can identify the combinations that deliver their fastest upwind performance. Those settings become repeatable targets, helping trimmers respond quickly as conditions change and making it easier to communicate optimal settings across the crew.

Explore further

For downwind sailing, code zero luff tension, mainsheet and halyard loads all become important performance indicators, with Cyclops sensors providing solutions for different measurement points.

If you have a question about this article, or about critical loads for performance, talk to a Cyclops expert.

Or find the right Cyclops sensor for your boat.

Allen SuperSouth Topper Championships 2026 at Poole Yacht Club

 

The Allen SuperSouth was held at Poole Yacht Club, with 71 sailors taking part in the Topper 5.3 and 4.2 fleets.

Saturday started off looking quite nice, but once we sailed out towards Brownsea Island, it was a lot windier than we expected! The wind was around 15-25 knots, with some big gusts and waves, so we knew it was going to be hard work.

Saturday - Race 1

The first race was windy and tricky, with lots of shifts.

In the 5.3 fleet, six of the leading sailors had problems with the race flags and received NSC scores. Alfie Tollit won the race, with Isabelle Simpson second and Sasha Gerra third.

In the 4.2 fleet, Emily Doughty came first, Oak Hickman second and Jonathon Pendle third.

Saturday - Race 2

The wind was still strong, but everyone was getting used to the conditions.

Leo Kaneko won the 5.3 race, with Brooke Browning second and Alfie Tollit third.

In the 4.2 fleet, Emily Doughty took another win, followed by Oak Hickman and Isaac Prue.

Saturday - Race 3

By the third race, everyone was getting tired after a long day on the water.

Alex Murray won the 5.3 race, with Xander Collins-Black second and Brooke Browning third.

In the 4.2 fleet, George Klaschka came first, Isaac Prue second and Alannah McGuire third.

After three races, we all headed back to shore. It had been a really good but tiring day!

Sunday - Race 4

Sunday was even windier, making the racing really difficult.

In the 5.3 fleet, Alfie Tollit won, followed by Xander Collins-Black second and Harry MacLeod third.

In the 4.2 fleet, Isaac Prue took the win, Sophie Elliott came second and Jonathon Pendle third.

There were quite a few capsizes, and some sailors got their masts stuck in the mud. With the wind getting stronger, the race officer decided to stop racing after just one race.

Overall Results:

Topper 5.3

Alfie Tollit

Xander Collins-Black

Brooke Browning

Leo Kaneko

Harry MacLeod

Topper 4.2

Emily Doughty

Isaac Prue

Oak Hickman

Sophie Elliott

Jonathon Pendle

Brooke Browning also finished first female in the 5.3 fleet.

Thank You!

It was a really fun weekend, even though the wind made it hard work. There was some great racing, and everyone did really well in the tough conditions.

A big thank you to Poole Yacht Club, the race team, safety crews and all the volunteers.

Also, a massive thank you to Allen Brother for sponsoring the event and providing some great prizes.

Well done to everyone who took part, and hopefully see you all at the next event!

Oliver Davenport Wins Solo Midland Area Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

 

The 2026 Solo Midland Area Championship at Rutland Sailing Club delivered two closely fought races and some excellent sailing, despite Storm Austen threatening to disrupt the event.

Originally scheduled as a two-day championship, the event was rearranged into a single day in response to the forecast. The conditions understandably deterred some potential competitors travelling from Scotland and the south, but the fleet that assembled still provided a high standard of competition.

With two races completed in strengthening winds, Oliver Davenport emerged as the clear winner, taking first place in both races to claim the Midland Area Championship title.

The first race was sailed in a building Force 3. Davenport made a decisive start at the pin end, tacked clear of the fleet and quickly established a lead. Behind him, the racing was much closer, with places constantly changing as competitors battled for positions from second through to eighth. It was a tight, competitive race that kept the fleet on its toes.

By the second race, the breeze had increased to a Force 4, with gusts reaching Force 5 at the top end. Davenport changed his approach, starting at the committee-boat end before tacking away. Two boats headed left, and the fleet arrived at the windward mark closely packed. With little between the leading boats, the downwind legs proved crucial, as competitors searched for the best pressure and worked hard to gain every possible advantage.

As the wind continued to build, the race team made the decision to send the fleet ashore before a third race could be started. Although the breeze subsequently eased, the decision reflected the challenging conditions and changing forecast. With two races completed, the championship results were settled.

Davenport's two race wins gave him a perfect score of two points, with Jasper Barnham taking second overall on seven points. Jamie Cuxson also finished on seven points, securing third place on countback after a second and a fifth. Andrew Wilde finished fourth, with Michael Sims completing the top five.

A huge thank you goes to Rutland Sailing Club and the race team for putting on a great event in challenging weather conditions. Thanks also to the championship sponsors, CB Dinghy Chandlery and Allen Sailing, for their continued support.

The Solo fleet's End of Season Championship takes place at Draycote Water Sailing Club on Saturday, 14 November. Entries are now open, with links available through both the Draycote Water Sailing Club website and the Solo Class Association website.

With one of the final major events of the year approaching, the championship offers another great opportunity for the Solo fleet to get together for a competitive day of sailing and finish the season in style.

Championship sponsors: CB Dinghy Chandlery, Allen Sailing, National Solo Class Association.

Overall Results:

Pos Helm Boat Name Sail No R1 R2 Pts

1 Oliver Davenport 1 1 1 2

2 Jasper Barnham Mrs Jones 5887 5 2 7

3 Jamie Cuxson 5704 2 5 7

4 Andrew Wilde Solo 6125 6 3 9

5 Michael Sims 6128 3 7 10

6 Harry Lucas S5746 5746 7 4 11

7 Vincent Horey Peppermint Patty 6134 4 8 12

8 Chris Brown cb dinghy chanderly 6148 6141 8 6 14

9 Camron Griffin Norris 4448 10 9 19

10 Chris Bunn 6138 9 11 20

11 Ian Norris X‑Why 4434 11 10 21

12 Andy Beston Solo 5533 12 12 24

13 Maria Franco 6013 6013 13 13 26

14 Thomas Gillard ‑ 6141 DNC DNC 32

14 Stephen Dickinson Rocket 5721 DNC DNC 32

Rutland Sailing Club to host International Inclusive Keelboat Championship

 

Rutland Sailing Club is looking forward to welcoming competitors from across Europe and beyond for its International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2026.

Taking place on England’s largest reservoir from 19 November – 22 November, eight teams are already signed up and there’s still time to enter the #rockupandrace championship.

Competitors will take to the water in a fleet of six RS21 keelboats in teams of four or five sailors. Entry is just £530 per team and includes the use of boats, opening ceremony buffet and Saturday evening meal, plus on-water coaching support on 19 November before racing begins on the Friday.

Entry is open until midnight on 16 November and all the details, including the Notice of Race, are available at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2026 hub.

The club is a premier inland venue located on the south shore of Rutland Water. It is a renowned centre of excellence for both Sailability for people with disabilities and for running major national and international championships.

Event director David Wilkins, of Rutland Sailing Club, said: “We’re getting set for three action-packed days of fast turnaround racing using a keelboat league format with short windward-leeward courses. There’s also an opportunity for teams to get some advance practise in the boats with our coached support sessions the day before the championship gets underway.

“It would be fantastic to welcome teams from other Sailability and Help for Heroes/Invictus groups in the UK as well as from overseas, who may have competed at the recent World Sailing Inclusion Championships, or who may find our Rutland event more accessible. Our keelboat events are known for their friendly and supportive atmosphere both on the water and ashore. It’s going to be a really fun, competitive and sociable weekend and there’s still time to enter!”

Inclusion sailing aims to increase opportunities for participation in events up to international-level sailing, specifically for disabled sailors whose disability does not meet the para classification ‘Minimal Disability’ (MD) criteria. For the Rutland event, at least two of the crew shall consider themselves as a disabled person and must be active in sailing the boats, including the helm.

Among the teams already entered are competitors from GBR Blind Sailing, who recently won the Vision Impairment title at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimão, Portugal. The club is encouraging other International VI teams to come to the Rutland event to take on again the GBR teams who were successful at the Worlds.

All facilities at Rutland Sailing Club are fully accessible, with sailing taking place in front of the clubhouse, making it ideal for spectators as well as competitors.

The club is well connected for transport links with several major airports within easy reach. Oakham Railway Station is just a 10-minute car ride from the club and the journey from Stansted and Birmingham Airports by train is just over one hour, with a number of other UK airports accessible by train or road.

Find out more and enter as soon as possible to secure a spot for your team at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2026. For further information / any questions please contact David Wilkins or Rutland Sailing Club.

Largs Yacht Haven nominated for Marina of the Year award

 

Largs Yacht Haven has been nominated in the Marina of the Year category at the British Yachting Awards 2026, the only Scottish marina in the running this year.

The nomination follows a standout year for the marina, which hosted major sailing events including the Fife Regatta, Richard Mille Cup, Optimist National Championships IOCA UK, and the Largs Regatta Festival.

A spokesman for Largs Yacht Haven said: "2026 has been an incredible year for Largs Yacht Haven and the Clyde.

"The events of the Fife Regatta, Richard Mille Cup, Optimist National Championships IOCA UK and Largs Regatta Festival have showcased our waters to the full spectrum of the yachting community, reinforcing our corner of the Clyde as one of the UK's premier destinations.

"So thank you for making the yachting community at Largs so special - we couldn't think of a better way to finish off a spectacular year."

Santorini Sailing Adventure

 

A  sailing holiday around Santorini and the surrounding Cyclades islands would make a fantastic trip. I'd suggest combining beautiful anchorages, swimming and snorkelling, traditional Greek villages, archaeological sites, lovely tavernas and a little island hopping.

My recommendation would be a circular itinerary starting and finishing in Santorini, with a mixture of sailing days and time ashore. I'd aim for a relaxed pace rather than trying to visit too many islands.

Suggested route: Santorini → Nea Kameni → Thirasia → Ios → Sikinos → Folegandros → Anafi → Santorini.

This gives you a lovely mixture of volcanic scenery, quieter Greek islands and traditional villages.

The day-by-day programme

Day 1 – Santorini and the volcanic caldera

- Collect the yacht at Vlychada Marina.

- Sail along the spectacular volcanic coastline.

- Visit the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, with a swim where conditions permit.

- Enjoy dinner ashore overlooking the caldera, perhaps in Fira or Imerovigli.

Day 2 – Thirasia

- Short sail to the quieter island of Thirasia.

- Explore Manolas village, with its traditional whitewashed houses.

- Walk up to the village viewpoints.

- Lunch at a traditional Greek taverna.

- Afternoon swimming and snorkelling in a sheltered bay.

Day 3 – Ios

- Sail to Ios and anchor or berth at Gialos.

- Visit Chora, a beautiful traditional village with winding streets and windmills.

- Explore the shops and cafés.

- Visit Mylopotas Beach for swimming and watersports.

- Dinner in Chora overlooking the island.

Day 4 – Sikinos

- Sail to this quieter, less-developed island.

- Visit the beautiful hilltop village of Kastro.

- Explore the traditional lanes and churches.

- Enjoy a leisurely lunch in a family-run taverna.

- Spend the afternoon swimming in clear water.

Day 5 – Folegandros

- Sail to Folegandros.

- Visit Chora, one of the prettiest villages in the Cyclades.

- Walk up to the Church of Panagia for spectacular views.

- Enjoy a leisurely lunch and browse the boutiques.

- Spend the afternoon at a beach such as Agali, subject to anchorage and weather conditions.

Day 6 – Anafi

- Sail towards Anafi, a beautiful and relatively unspoilt island east of Santorini.

- Explore Chora and its traditional Greek architecture.

- Visit the impressive Kalamos rock formation and Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi.

- Enjoy a final island lunch and a relaxing swim.

- Overnight in a suitable sheltered anchorage or harbour.

Day 7 – Return to Santorini

- Sail back to Santorini.

- Enjoy a final swim and lunch on board.

- Return to Vlychada Marina.

- Finish with a special farewell dinner overlooking the caldera.

When to go

My preference would be June or September:

- June: warm weather, lovely swimming conditions and generally less crowded.

- September: warm sea temperatures, a slightly quieter atmosphere and beautiful evenings.

- July/August: busier and potentially much windier, particularly because of the Meltemi.

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Sailjuice Winter Series countdown to Draycote - Enter 5 events and get a free Windie Race Timer

 

The Navigators & General SailJuice Winter Series 2026/27 gets under way at the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash on 21 & 22 November. Sailors who enter five or more events by 19 November will receive a free Windie Race Timer worth £64.99.

Clocks are back, but the UK's most dedicated dinghy racers are looking forward to one of the most competitive part of the season. The Navigators & General SailJuice Winter Series enters its 18th year, with seven events running from November through to February. Once again the Series brings together sailors of all ages, backgrounds and experience levels, racing an enormous range of dinghy classes - from the latest high-performance designs to boats that have been racing for decades.

The action starts at Draycote Water Sailing Club with the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash on 21 & 22 November, before heading to Datchet, Chase, Yorkshire Dales, Queen Mary, Rutland and Oxford. The champions will be crowned at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show in Farnborough on 20 February 2027.

Enter Early, Get a Free Windie Race Timer

This season there's an extra reason to commit to the winter circuit early. Enter five or more Series events by Thursday 19 November 2026 and you'll receive a free Windie Race Timer, worth £64.99.

That's just two days before the opening race at Draycote, so the sooner you plan your winter, the better. With seven events on the calendar, picking five gives you plenty of flexibility around Christmas, work and the weather.

Here's what to do:

Choose five or more events from the 2026/27 calendar below

Enter online by 19 November 2026

Receive your free Windie Race Timer

Entering more events also gives you the most out of the Extracted Results, as you'll be able to follow your progress against your class, age group or boat type right across the season.

Enter now at www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Your Own Race Within the Race

Like Park Run, the SailJuice Winter Series gives you lots of ways to look at your performance. The Extracted Results take the main SailJuice results and automatically create additional rankings, so you can see how you compare against sailors and boats like your own.

There is still one set of official results - the same event, the same course, the same corrected times. Competitors who don't match your chosen criteria are simply removed, leaving you to see where you stand within that group.

Rankings are available for:

Sailor categories: Top Lady, Junior, Youth, 19-30, 31-60 and Masters

Boat types: Fast Symmetric, Fast Asymmetric, Slow Symmetric and Slow Asymmetric

Old Boats: celebrating older designs racing in the modern handicap fleet

Forces Challenge: for eligible competitors associated with the Armed Forces

100+ individual classes: effectively creating a class series within SailJuice, even where events don't have a separate class start

The following events are in the Navigators & General SailJuice Winter Series 2026/27:

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club - 21 & 22 November 2026

Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club - 5 & 6 December 2026

Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club - 12 & 13 December 2026

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - 27 December 2026

GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 9 January 2027

John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 6 & 7 February 2027

Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 13 February 2027

Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 20 February 2027

Find out more about the Series www.SailJuiceSeries.com