Streaker Southern Championship 2026 at Burghfield Sailing Club

 

On Saturday 8th August, Burghfield Sailing Club welcomes the Streaker Class for the 2026 Streaker Southern Championships.

Originally founded in 1956 as the AWRE SC (Atomic Weapons Research Establishment Sailing Club) - primarily as a sea cruising group with a few dinghy sailors, Burghfield Sailing Club has since grown to become one of the largest inland sailing clubs in the country.

Based in the Thames Valley and easily accessible off J12 of the M4, Burghfield Sailing Club, together with our partners the RYA approved Andrew Simpson Watersports Centre, Reading, is a thriving activity centre providing exceptional sailing, wind/wing-surfing and paddling facilities for competitive and recreational enthusiasts alike, on our spectacular 200 acre lake.

With competitive dinghy racing taking place throughout the year, Burghfield SC hosts a wide range of single-handed (including a thriving/growing Streaker Class) and two-handed classes and boasts both past and current National and World dinghy racing champions amongst its membership.

On a number of occasions Burghfield has also been host to one of the Sailjuice Winter Series events. Sunday dinghy racing is divided into fleet racing in the mornings with separate starts for Spinnaker/Asymmetric, Fast, Intermediate and Slow handicap fleets, followed by single start general handicap racing in the afternoon.

It has not been unknown to have a hundred boats on the water at Burghfield for the 'Personal Handicap' Wednesday Evening Pursuit series that runs throughout the summer season, making it one of, if not the largest club race series in the country.

With such a wide expanse of water and sixteen permanently anchored marks carefully positioned around the lake, the Race Officer rarely has a problem setting a good course from the club Committee Boat whatever the wind direction. For major events and Open meetings, additional temporary marks are often used, especially for trapezoid or Olympic type courses.

Burghfield SC is a family friendly club where you are guaranteed a warm welcome. Picnic benches are located around the site and close to the kids play area, and the covered clubhouse balcony also overlooks the lake, providing a spectacular vantage point for spectators to sit and watch the sailing whilst enjoying refreshing hot/cold drinks and food from the club Cafe and Bar.

Online entries are now open - hope to see you there.

Mirror National Championship at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

 

The UK Mirror Nationals is being held at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club in just a week's time (25-28th July).

The strength of the class continues as we build towards the world in Poole in 2027. The Mirror fits a niche of offering a different and / or complementary pathway into sailing, with parents and children now making up the majority of the fleet.

This means that while the people in the back have got older, those in the front are now as young as 4 - sweets and chocolate are an essential part of day! Good wooden boats are still competitive, but many of the fleet now have modern Winder FRP models. The resurgence of the class means that the Winder boats are in such demand, that they sell almost instantly.

This is the first time in many years that the Nationals is being held inland. 

There's three days of racing with camping is available at the club, which fits perfectly with the class's family ethos. There is also plenty of on-site socials organised, so there's going to be a great atmosphere. Even with some of the class regulars missing due to other commitments, there are still almost 50 entries, an impressive total just a few weeks before the annual pilgrimage to Abersoch for Mirror Week.

Most importantly Netley are sure to put on a great events, with loads to keep both the young and old engaged, both on and off the water.

JOG publishes 2027 Fixture List

 

The 2027 JOG Yacht Racing calendar has been released, giving sailors the opportunity to start planning another season of racing both inshore and offshore.

The calendar features a varied mix of coastal race weekends, Channel crossings and visits to some of JOG's favourite offshore destinations, alongside training opportunities and an active social programme.

Open to both fully crewed and double-handed teams, the programme continues JOG's focus on delivering competitive racing in a welcoming environment, with races suitable for experienced offshore sailors as well as those looking to build confidence and have fun.

JOG Captain Tony Tahourdin said: "The 2027 calendar reflects everything that makes JOG special. It's a fantastic mix of challenging racing, rewarding offshore passages and memorable destinations, all supported by a friendly and competitive community.

"Whether you're a long standing member or thinking about joining us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you on the start line in 2027."

Racing Manager Martin Evans added: "We've put together a programme that offers something for everyone. Whether you're aiming to race the full season or simply take part in a few races, there's a great balance of coastal racing, offshore passages and destination races. We hope the early release of the calendar helps with planning another fantastic season on the water."

The Notice of Race will be published on 1 December 2026, when entries for the 2027 season will officially open. Until then, get those dates in your diary.

The full 2027 JOG Yacht Racing calendar is available now at: myjog.jog.org.uk/programme

About JOG Yacht Racing

JOG Yacht Racing organises a full programme of offshore and coastal racing for IRC-rated yachts, welcoming both fully crewed and double-handed teams. With more than 800 members, JOG combines competitive racing with a friendly community, memorable destinations and a busy social calendar.

Alongside its core racing programme, JOG is committed to developing the future of Yacht racing through initiatives including Generation JOG, supporting sailors aged 18-30, and the Women's Sailing Series, creating more opportunities for women to get involved in offshore racing, develop their skills and build confidence on the water.

New Chapter for Scaramouche

 

We are beginning a new chapter. Everyone who has supported the GCA sailing programme and seen the flagship 'Scaramouche' in action, understands the central role she has played in increasing diversity and inclusion in sailing.

"Scaramouche has given hundreds of young people like me confidence, ambition and life-changing experiences," said Montel, 2017 Fastnet helm and now a Trustee of the Scaramouche Sailing Trust. "She has been far more than a yacht—she has been a classroom and a catalyst for opportunity, giving us the chance to go beyond what we thought was possible."

We're immensely grateful to everyone who has supported and encouraged us in everything that Scaramouche has achieved. It's been an amazing team effort. But times are changing. When a generous supporter made the gift of a modern, smaller boat, it prompted a difficult decision. After careful consideration, GCA has decided to sell the original and rename the new boat Scaramouche 2 in her memory and dress her in the same livery.

Jon says: "By making this change now, we're ensuring that her legacy lives on through an even stronger programme that will inspire many more young people in the years ahead."

Find out more at scaramouchesailing.org.uk

Croatia Island Hopping Adventure

 

Here is a classic Croatian sailing week with a mix of lively towns, quiet anchorages, hiking, history, swimming, and a bit of adventure, I'd recommend a 7-day Split → Dubrovnik route. It covers the best islands without feeling rushed and keeps daily sailing legs manageable (generally 15–30 nautical miles).

Day 1 – Split → Brač (Bol)

Sailing: 2–3 hours

Onshore activities

Walk to Zlatni Rat, Croatia's most famous beach

Hike or taxi to Vidova Gora, the highest point on any Adriatic island

Explore Bol's waterfront promenade

Sunset drinks overlooking the harbour

Evening vibe: Relaxed coastal town with good seafood and wine.

Day 2 – Brač → Hvar Town

Sailing: 3–4 hours

Onshore activities

Climb to Fortica Fortress for panoramic views

Wander the Venetian old town

Visit St. Stephen's Square

Sample local Hvar wines

Optional

Stop for a swim in the Pakleni Islands before entering port. Hvar is famous for both nightlife and beautiful coves.

Evening vibe: Chic, energetic, and lively.

Day 3 – Hvar → Vis

Sailing: 3–4 hours

Onshore activities

Explore Vis Town or Komiža

Scooter tour through vineyards and old military tunnels

Visit Stiniva Bay

Fresh seafood dinner at a waterfront konoba

Optional excursion

Take a small boat to the Blue Cave on nearby Biševo Island. Vis is often considered one of Croatia's most authentic islands because of its long military isolation.

Evening vibe: Quiet, authentic, less commercial.

Day 4 – Vis → Korčula

Sailing: 5–6 hours

Onshore activities

Explore the medieval walled old town

Walk the city ramparts

Visit local wineries in Lumbarda

Sunset cocktails overlooking the Pelješac Channel

Korčula is often called a "mini Dubrovnik" because of its historic stone architecture.

Evening vibe: Historic and romantic.

Day 5 – Korčula → Mljet National Park

Sailing: 3–4 hours

Onshore activities

Cycle around the famous saltwater lakes

Kayak on Veliko Jezero

Visit the Benedictine monastery on St Mary's Islet

Swim in secluded coves

Mljet is one of Croatia's greenest islands and consistently ranks as a highlight for sailors.

Evening vibe: Nature-focused and peaceful.

Day 6 – Mljet → Šipan (Elaphiti Islands)

Sailing: 4–5 hours

Onshore activities

Walk through olive groves and old villages

Swim in quiet bays

Visit local family-run wineries

Enjoy a slow Dalmatian dinner

This is your decompression day before Dubrovnik. The Elaphiti Islands are far less crowded than the major stops.

Evening vibe: Sleepy island charm.

Day 7 – Šipan → Dubrovnik

Sailing: 2–3 hours

Onshore activities

Walk Dubrovnik's city walls

Explore the UNESCO-listed Old Town

Ride the cable car to Mount Srđ

Visit hidden bars outside the walls

Celebrate the end of the voyage with a harbour-front dinner

Dubrovnik provides a dramatic finale after a week of island hopping.

Best for Different Interests    More adventure

Replace Šipan with Lastovo Nature Park:

Stargazing

Sea caves

Hiking trails

Much fewer tourists

More nightlife

Spend two nights around Hvar and skip Šipan.

More hiking and nature

Add:

Vidova Gora (Brač)

Mljet National Park

Mount Srđ (Dubrovnik)

Food & wine focus

Look for:

Plavac Mali wines on Hvar and Korčula

Oysters near Ston

Fresh lobster around Vis

Family-run konobas on Šipan

Best months

May–June: Warm, green landscapes, fewer crowds

September: Warm sea, harvest season, calmer atmosphere

July–August: Most lively but busiest and hottest

This route gives you a strong balance of sailing, culture, hiking, swimming, food, and historic towns without spending every day underway.

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Musto Lark National Championship 2026 hosted by Fowey Sailing

 

The Musto Lark Nationals (26th-29th July) revisits the iconic Cornish venue of Fowey for the first time in 32 years! Combined with a strong growth in the Lark fleet, this stunning venue has already attracted over 40 entries (31 last year). The hotly contested championship sees a huge influx of new youth sailors who will pit their wits against many seasoned Lark sailors, which should deliver champagne sailing and tight tactical racing.

The Musto-sponsored event means there will be prizes through the fleet, there will be the usual mix of great sailing and family-friendly fun. Find out more on the event website. If you want to join us, we still have boats available to borrow - contact chairman@larkclass.org .

As always, there will be strong competition and lots of fun, for the category prizes.

First Female Helm - Past Cadet champion Hannah Carruthers is a rising star in the fleet, but she will be challenged by past National Champion Emma Harris, now sailing with returning star crew David Marlow. Or will ex 49erFX sailor Megan Dickson sailing with husband Connor, show her Olympic campaign form to get her name on the Trophy.

First helm 25 and under - With Youth sailors making up over 25% of the fleet this will be a close fought battle between class newcomer Ollie Meadowcroft, Hannah Carruthers, George Graham and Ethan Davey all of whom have 1/2 Lark Nationals under their belts.

First helm 21 and under - This could be one of the most hotly contested trophies this year; will it be class newcomer Cadet champion Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood, Jack Hodgkins & Olly Hateley, George Cox-Olliff & Tom Krailing or Jai & Amba Sanehi?

Highest-placed Married Couple - Chris & Nic White will battle out with Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook, but could the ever-improving Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips deliver an upset?

Winner of 'Silver Fleet' - This looks to be a battle between seasoned 'Silver fleet' campaigners like Steve Chatten & Kirsty Phipps and Dan Watson & Nat Bannister, versus rising stars George Graham & Jess Hooker and ex Cadet stars Ethan Davey & Rory Stretch.

Winner of 'Bronze Fleet' - The Weymouth youths are likely to be fighting hard for this trophy, but look out for returning fleet sailors Andy Cox, Jo Tribe & Jason Phelps or Fowey locals Phil Henson & Mandie Parker, Phil Russ & Adam Joyce, and Colin & Joe Gibbon.

First helm in the Crews' Race - The crews' race is always as closely-fought as the main event - it's called the 'Hard to be Humble' trophy for a reason! This year, look out for Tegwyn Roberts, Chris Whitehouse, Nick Hydon, Jess Hooker, Mia Hateley and Tom Krailing.

It should be an amazing four days of close racing, fantastic socials and sun, sea and pasties that only Fowey can deliver.

Event website: larkclass.org/2026-musto-lark-national-championships

Finn and Phantom open meeting 2026 at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club

 

You need to enter the Lee on Solent SC Finn and Phantom Open! 25th & 26th July - that's the weekend after next - better get the entry done!

You can go straight to the club website, click on the link and fill out the entry form.

Already the day feels lighter, less stressful with something to look forward to - probably the best sea sailing on the south coast! You're even now thinking about training on the Friday afternoon to make a full weekend of it.

Camping next to the club, park and play - Training with some of the best on Friday, a night in the town with the most social sailors on the planet followed by two days of classic sea racing in the best class in the world!

Don't be at risk of suffering FOMO - GET IT DONE - ENTER NOW - You know it makes sense!

Medway Regatta 2025 at Wilsonian Sailing Club

 

Wilsonian Sailing Club was delighted to host its flagship event once again, the ever-growing Medway Regatta, welcoming 48 boats and sailors from 16 visiting clubs across the country. The event also incorporated a highly successful Vareo Open Meeting, attracting an impressive fleet of 14 boats.

Competitors travelled from clubs including Lee-on-the-Solent SC, Hayling Island Sailing Club, Chipstead SC, Stokes Bay SC, Thornbury SC, Stone SC, Calshot SC, Shoreham SC, Milton Keynes SC, Emberton Park SC, Nottingham SC, Waveney & Oulton Broad YC, Whitstable YC, Downs SC and Rickmansworth SC. The furthest traveller went to a competitor from Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

The club was also pleased to welcome Lauren Edwards MP, Member of Parliament for Rochester and Strood, who visited the regatta to show her support and watch the start of the racing.

Saturday's conditions tested competitors' patience, with the opening race abandoned due to a lack of wind. However, the breeze eventually filled in and Race 2 delivered competitive sailing across all fleets. After racing, sailors and supporters enjoyed an evening of entertainment by the Medway, featuring sea shanties and a complimentary meal provided by the club's generous sponsor, MTS Cleansing Services Ltd.

It was particularly pleasing to see so many former members returning to the club for the weekend — a reminder that Wilsonian Sailing Club continues to hold a special place in many sailors' hearts.

Sunday brought a very different challenge, with stronger winds providing exciting and demanding racing conditions. Competitors rose to the occasion, supported by the club's safety boat teams, who had a particularly busy afternoon. Special mention should go to the junior fleet, who successfully completed both races despite the difficult conditions.

The 14-boat Vareo fleet enjoyed a successful open meeting, completing three competitive races. Luke Fisher of Emberton Park Sailing Club emerged victorious after an excellent weekend of racing.

Following another successful regatta, planning is already under way for 2027. Organisers are considering a June date once again, with the exciting possibility of hosting the Vareo National Championships alongside the event. Details will be announced in due course at medwayregatta.co.uk

Everyone who attends the Medway Regatta comments on its friendly atmosphere, excellent racing, superb food and memorable entertainment. We look forward to welcoming sailors, friends and families back to Wilsonian Sailing Club next year.

Ireland Targets More Edinburgh Cup Glory in Cowes

 

Ireland will be looking to add another chapter to its proud Edinburgh Cup record after organisers confirmed entries from 11 nations for next month's Dragon championship in Cowes. 

A total of 45 teams have already entered the 2026 Edinburgh Cup and UK Grand Prix, matching the event's highest entry for the past 20 years. Entries remain open until 31 July, with the fleet limited to 50 boats.

Irish crews will compete against teams from Austria, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal, Switzerland, Sweden, Turkey, the United States and across the UK when racing takes place at the Royal Yacht Squadron from 16 to 21 August.

Ireland has enjoyed considerable success in the historic championship. Royal St George Yacht Club's Martin Byrne won the Edinburgh Cup in 2011, while Simon Brien claimed the title on home waters at Cultra the following year, with Byrne finishing runner-up to give Ireland the top two places overall. Byrne's victory in 2011 was Ireland's 12th in the event, underlining the country's long-standing strength in the Dragon class.

The organisers' latest update does not identify the Irish entries by name, although Byrne was highlighted in an earlier announcement as leading the Irish challenge, while Nicola Halloran is among the female helms entered.

The Edinburgh Cup, first raced for in 1949, is the British Open Dragon Championship. The 2026 edition also forms part of the International Dragon Association's UK Grand Prix and coincides with the British Dragon Association's 70th anniversary.

Doublehanded pathway boost thanks to Sport Wales grant

 

Welsh Sailing has strengthened its performance pathway for young racing sailors with eight brand new double-handed dinghies thanks to a grant from Sport Wales.

A game-changing contribution of £68,284 was awarded towards the total project cost of £75,784 for two youth boats - a 29er and 420 each with a road trailer - plus six RS Feva dinghies and two triple-stacker road trailers for junior sailors.

The 420 and 29er will be available on loan to help top level Welsh sailors continue performing at the highest level, while the RS Feva fleet will support #rockupandtrain opportunities, participation in events and the introduction of team racing.

A pathway mapping exercise with Sport Wales demonstrated that sailing is similar to other sports when considering costs such as travel, accommodation, membership and entry fees. An expensive additional outlay for aspiring sailors, however, is the boat and equipment.

Sarah McGovern, Chief Operating Officer for RYA Cymru Wales, said: "We are very keen as a Governing Body to help remove the cost barrier of buying a boat to take part in sailing, and we have a good track record of sailors, who have been given boats on loan, going on to be ranked number one in the UK and selected for major international events.

"The provision of boats means our sailors are not having to limit their sailing due to finance and are able to focus their spend on training and events. Talent can often be missed because of financial barriers and so RYA Cymru Wales has always traditionally ring-fenced funding to buy performance boats and equipment to help level the playing field. A big thank you to Sport Wales for enabling us to continue to support our aspiring young sailors in this way."

The arrival of the new RS Feva dinghies coincided with the Eric Twiname Junior Championships (ETs) at Rutland and the class national championship at Plas Heli in May 2026 - enabling a number of Welsh sailors to take part who would not otherwise have had the chance.

Harry Bennell and Will Fenton were among the first to benefit from using the RS Fevas. Saying thank you for the opportunity, Harry, of Port Dinorwic SC, said: "Will and I had the best time sailing together at the ETs and RS Feva nationals. It was great being able to use a Welsh Sailing RS Feva. We couldn't have done either event without RYA Cymru Wales."

Sophie Venning, also Port Dinorwic SC, was likewise able to compete at the RS Feva Nationals and said: "I was lucky to be able to sail one of the new RS Fevas with my cousin Evie at the nationals in Pwllheli. We sailed 'Felicity' who is a brilliant boat and was great fun to sail. The nationals were such a good event but without the Welsh Sailing boats, I wouldn't have been able to take part. Thank you RYA Cymru Wales and Sport Wales for making it possible."

"Having these new boats gave me the opportunity to do my first ever RS Feva event and qualify for gold fleet," added club mate Ethan Watkin Jones sailing with Elsie Jenkinson.

Located at Welsh Sailing Pathway Clubs in the North, South and West, the RS Fevas will provide access to training and racing in the double handed junior class across the country. The fleet will also enable Welsh Sailing to diversify its offer introduce team racing to young sailors, who may then choose to enjoy this aspect of the sport rather than continuing into Olympic classes.

Providing a pathway into double-handed sailing for those who do not have their own equipment, the RS Fevas will also reduce the travel burden and associated environmental impact for those who do - a model already successful with Welsh Sailing's fleet of 18 ILCA dinghies, an initiative launched in 2024 with a Welsh Government Capital Grant backed by Sport Wales.

The provision of performance pathway boats by Welsh Sailing is in line with the RYA Cymru Wales strategy - Gyda'n Gilydd ar ein Dyfroedd: Together on our Waters - which aims to create a connected, inspired and inclusive Welsh sailing and boating community.

Read more at www.rya.org.uk/gbni/rya-cymru-wales/about-us/strategy

Cowes and Back 2026 at Lymington Town Sailing Club

 

The most popular race of the series turned out to be a two horse race with most of the fleet having other commitments that day or understandably did not fancy the return leg from Cowes with a forecast of up to 27 knots from the South West against a strong ebb tide in the afternoon.

Google-Eye (Trapper 300), acting as Duty Race Officer, welcomed her only competition, newcomer Sardonyx from Keyhaven Yacht Club, to the start line, who was using the race as a shakedown for the Round the Island Race on Saturday 11 July. She had just launched after recently being immaculately restored by Berthon in Lymington.

Sardonyx is a beautiful 40 foot 1957 Fred Parker classic design, built originally of mahogany by AH Moody & Son with a long keel. She is the sister ship of Brynhilde (a 1958 32 foot Fred Parker design), who also has been recently restored by Berthon and is now back in the shed again having her coachroof worked upon. Both boats are under the same ownership.

The race became a contest between a Classic wooden cruiser versus a "Late Classic" (the Trapper 300 design is 50 years old this year and may even be considered a "Classic" too next year under some definitions!) fibreglass cruiser racer and a long keel versus a fin keel. In those conditions Google-Eye thought both races had already been lost but the two boats actually had a good race trading places on both legs.

The two boats were late over the start line but Google-Eye raised her spinnaker quickly as Sardonyx sorted out exactly what to do. However, once her kite was up she slowly but surely caught up Google-Eye and had passed her by Needs Ore Point. Google-Eye gybed first for 3S (SCRA.org.uk) but Sardonyx had problems with the loads so much higher and pole so much larger and heavier than her crew had been used to on Brynhilde, and continued up on starboard gybe some distance beyond West Bramble before finally gybing to find the spinnaker needed to come down to get back to the mark.

Google-Eye thought that Cowes and lunch was too much of a draw for her as she had gone so far. Both boats did end up with a problem with a small freighter coming up the Thorn Channel, with Google-Eye having to continue past the mark under spinnaker and then take it down before the gybe to cross behind it and then white sail reach, rather than spinnaker, to 4M (Hill Head).

Not only did Sardonyx have a problem with the same freighter but also was caught with a bright orange gas tanker making her way down the channel from Fawley. She too white sailed to 4M (Hill Head).

After the mark it was hard on the wind to fetch the finish at 4K (Royal London), with Sardonyx again slowly catching up Google-Eye by pointing higher and sailing faster. However, Google-Eye still claimed line honours. The 2 crews then met up for a convivial lunch in the Anchor Inn in Cowes.

The return leg, as the wind had increased significantly by then, was a start off Gurnard and direct to the finish at Baverstock passing 3A (West Lepe) to port. Both boats were very shy of the start with the strong ebb at Gurnard but Sardonyx made the best start, Google-Eye having to tack back at the inshore end of the line.

Having started with one reef Google-Eye put in another soon after her first tack and was a little more comfortable, but the short Solent chop was about the worst it gets and she bounced over, dived through and fell off the waves all the way to the finish. The highest wind speed she saw was 29.4 knots apparent.

One of Google-Eye's crew was grateful that he had purchased a set of new oilskins and another regretted wearing his old salopettes, which he knew leaked!

Although Sardonyx's crew seemed to be sailing in shorts and T-Shirts, one of their crews' automatic lifejackets self-inflated so they must have got very wet.

In the meantime Sardonyx, although she had two reefs in at the start, seemed to be suffering with either too much foresail or lack of halyard tension, but was powering through the waves. Google-Eye was soon well ahead of her and although she did not sail as far as Hamstead Ledge, unlike Sardonyx, and put in an extra 2 tacks, she still finished 5 minutes ahead. By the finish Sardonyx had sorted herself out and had been slowly catching up Google-Eye again.

However, both races proved to be a very useful shake-down for Sardonyx having found the mainsail had no battens when it went up before the start (rectified in Cowes), sailing without for the first leg, discovering the gybing problems, and then sorting out upwind sailing in high winds and heavy seas.

YTC Results:

1. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)

2. Sardonyx (Tony Hockley)

LAH Results:

1. Google-Eye (Pat Stables)

2. Sardonyx (Tony Hockley)

Irish Crews Secure Top-Six Finishes at UK Flying Fifteen Nationals

 

Irish sailors John Lavery and Alan Green finished fifth overall, while Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty claimed sixth at the 2026 UK Flying Fifteen National Championship after a breezier final day at Tees & Hartlepool Yacht Club.

The Irish crews maintained their positions in a competitive 30-boat fleet as stronger north-easterly winds and a moderate swell finally delivered the most demanding conditions of the championship after several days of light and variable racing.

After a short postponement ashore to await the incoming tide, racing got underway in the bay. A general recall at the first attempt prompted race officials to introduce the Black Flag for the remainder of the day's racing.

In Race Five, championship leaders Ian Cadwallader and Steve Graham strengthened their grip on the regatta with victory. Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe were second, while Irish pairing Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty took an impressive third place after mastering the testing downwind conditions.

The final race was sailed in similar conditions but produced much closer racing as the fleet had learned the favoured side of the course. Jeremy Davy and Martin Huett claimed the race win ahead of Steve Goacher and Tim Harper, with Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe finishing third.

Consistency across the six-race series proved decisive. Cadwallader and Graham, sailing a brand-new  boat that had not been launched before the championship, secured the national title by ten points for Chew Valley Lake Sailing Club.

Steve Goacher and Tim Harper of Royal Windermere Yacht Club finished second overall on their return to Flying Fifteen competition after a two-year absence. Andy and Michelle Tunnicliffe completed the podium in third, with Michelle competing in her first major Flying Fifteen championship. 

National Yacht Club's John Lavery and Alan Green ended the championship fifth overall after opening the series with race finishes of third and first. Fellow Irish crew Niall O'Brien and Dermot Flaherty finished sixth overall, adding a race-three podium on the final day to cap a consistent championship.

Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series 2026 - Race 4: trepidation amongst the Yawls

 

There was more than a little trepidation amongst the Yawl sailors gathered on the Yawl pontoon in anticipation of the fourth race of the Salcombe Yacht Club Summer Series, with wind speeds topping 43 mph at Prawle Point, there were discussions regarding the available stock of new masts, in between the pumping up of buoyancy bags, resulting in several arrivistes taking a look and returning to their tenders.

Anyway, Will Henderson the Race Officer had made his decision, and on an Easterly high tide, set a course beating into to Yalton twice then returning to the harbour for a couple of loops around Blackstone and Crossways.

Six Yawls started, with the heavier combos of Paul Ellis and Martin Beck and John Burn and Ross Bourne duking it out to Yalton, with some interesting avoiding manoeuvres at the gybe and bear off. Paul and Martin eventually prevailed despite some close and tactical mark roundings.

John and Zoe Meadowcroft were very much in the mix, but when the fleet returned to the protection of the main harbour the shifty beat shuffled the midfield allowing Phil King and John Sleep up to third, while David Greening and Josie Dayment edged past John and Zoe.

As is often the case, the trepidation before the race was unfounded, no new masts will be required and our buoyancy remains untested, it was worth going out just for the flat-out planing run out of Yalton, the only casualty being Paul and Martin's broken jib stick!