Sailing Clubs Urged to Review DBS Supervision Changes for England, Wales and Northern Ireland

 

Following a recent change in UK Government legislation, the rules on regulated activity changed from 1 September 2026, such that supervision no longer automatically excludes an individual from being considered to be undertaking regulated activity.

As a result, anyone who regularly teaches, trains, instructs, cares for or supervises children in England, Wales and Northern Ireland may now be classed as undertaking regulated activity, even where their work or volunteering is overseen by another adult.

This means sailing clubs should review any roles that previously required an Enhanced DBS check without a Children’s Barred List check because supervision placed them outside the scope of regulated activity.

In light of the legislative changes, clubs should consider whether these roles now meet the criteria for regulated activity and therefore require an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check.

Eligibility for an Enhanced DBS check is not limited to regulated activity. Individuals undertaking certain roles involving the teaching, training, instruction, care or supervision of children may still be eligible for an Enhanced DBS check, even where the role is not classified as regulated activity. However, a Children’s Barred List check can only be requested where the role meets the legal definition of regulated activity.

The RYA will be launching its own club and centre specific eligibility tool this winter; in the meantime, individuals can find out what type of DBS check one can get, and clubs should:

Review roles involving contact with children

Consider whether previously supervised roles now meet the definition of regulated activity

Ensure the appropriate level of DBS check is being obtained

Update safer recruitment and safeguarding procedures where necessary

Review the official guidance from the DBS regarding what these changes mean

The annual DBS conference next month will explore the legislative changes in more details. Any questions regarding the changes should be directed to safeguarding@rya.org.uk.

Emirates GBR Remain in Grand Final Fight Despite Frustrating Geneva Performance

 

Emirates GBR endured a frustrating final day at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva, finishing ninth overall as the battle for a place in the winner-takes-all Season Grand Final continues.

Extremely light conditions once again dominated racing on Lake Geneva, with Dylan Fletcher's Emirates GBR beginning their opening Group B race on the back foot after straying outside the course boundary and picking up a penalty.

The British team were forced to sail a wide angle towards the opening mark to burn off their penalty. Despite the setback, Emirates GBR recovered strongly to round Mark 1 in fourth place.

Fletcher and his crew continued to build around the outside of the fleet, gaining another position to enter Gate 2 in third. The wind dropped again in the closing stages, but Emirates GBR held their position to cross the line third, behind Canada and Australia.

Under the initial Race Management plan for the day, which would have seen just one race for each fleet group before the Event Final, the result would have been enough to secure Emirates GBR a place in the Final.

However, with the conditions on Lake Geneva improving, the Race Management opted to run an additional race for each fleet group, giving Emirates GBR another fight to secure qualification.

In the decisive fifth and final Group B race, Emirates GBR entered the start line late, with only Canada behind them. On a tight course and in light winds, opportunities to overtake were limited. Fletcher's crew fought throughout to claw back positions but were unable to make the gains they needed, eventually losing out to Canada at the final mark rounding to finish sixth.

Australia's BONDS Flying Roos and home team Switzerland secured the Group B qualification places for the Event Final.

In Group A, ROCKWOOL Denmark continued their impressive form with two consecutive race victories, adding to their race win from Saturday to qualify for the Final alongside Los Gallos Spain.

Spain went on to claim victory in the Event Final ahead of Australia, Denmark and Switzerland.

Emirates GBR finished the Geneva event ninth overall, ahead of rivals the United States but behind Artemis SailGP Team, who finished seventh. Both teams are Emirates GBR's closest rivals in the increasingly tight battle for the third and final qualification spot in the winner-takes-all, top-three Season Grand Final.

The result leaves the British team fifth in the overall Championship standings six points of third, with just two events remaining in the 2026 season Dubai (21-22 Nov) and the season finale in Abu Dhabi (28-29 Nov).

Emirates GBR Wing Trimmer Stuart Bithell said: "It was a frustrating day for us in the end. The start is so important in these conditions, and we didn't deliver in that last race, especially after putting ourselves in a position to make the Event Final in the race before.

"Today was classic SailGP, anything can happen. After the first race we thought we were in the Final, but then another race was added. We needed to stay on our toes and adapt, and that's certainly something we can learn from.

"It's not been the result we wanted here, but we're still right in the mix for a Grand Final place with two events to go. As ever with this team, we won't give up. We'll keep fighting right until the end."

With the fight for a place in the Season Grand Final still open, Fletcher and his Emirates GBR crew will now turn their attention to Dubai as every Championship point becomes increasingly important in the closing stages of the season.

Black Foils second in Group B after streaky opening day in SailGP Geneva

 

New Zealand’s Black Foils are right in the mix for the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix final after a strong opening day on Lake Geneva.

In light, patchy winds, the Black Foils finished second, third and fourth in their three Group B races to sit second overnight on nine points.

Australia’s Bonds Flying Roos lead the group on ten, with Emirates Great Britain and home team Explora Journeys Swiss just behind the Black Foils on eight. The top two teams in each group advance to the four-boat final.

The Black Foils’ most dramatic moment came in the final race of the day. After rounding all four marks in sixth, they edged past Red Bull Italy and Canada’s NorthStar just before the finish to claim fourth.

“All in all, it was a really good day,” said Black Foils co-CEO and wing trimmer Blair Tuke.

“We were in the fight the whole time, with hardly any respite, just fighting for every metre. That last race was a case in point. We snuck from sixth into fourth right on the finish line for two really valuable points.

“We talk as a group about every point being valuable, whether you’re trying to move from second to first or, like we were, sitting sixth and trying to scrape a point,” Tuke said. “Getting past those two boats was really important heading into tomorrow.”

Tuke said the light winds demanded precision from the whole crew.

“In my opinion, this racing is harder than pretty much all other conditions. It takes a lot of finesse and choreography between the crew to keep the boat sailing fast while making good decisions. In this stuff, you have to live with your decisions for quite a while.

“Blending all of that together is difficult, and I think we mostly did a good job today. Of course, we left some points out there, but if you’re heading into tomorrow with a chance, you’ve done some good things.”

The overnight debrief would focus on boat handling, decision-making and starts, Tuke said, after one good start and two tougher ones left the team chasing points.

Across the two groups, five races produced five different winners. Rockwool Racing and Artemis each took a win from Group A’s two races to sit level on six points.

With just two points separating the top four teams in Group B, Tuke knows every place will count on Sunday.\“It’s really close between a number of boats, so we’re going to have to put two good races together to make the final. But we’ve given ourselves a chance, and that’s pleasing. It’s all to play for tomorrow.”

Racing is scheduled to resume at 3.30pm local time on Sunday, 1.30am Monday NZST, live in on YouTube.com

Solo, Aero and Contender open meeting at Lymington Town Sailing Club

 

On Saturday October 3rd, Lymington Town Sailing Club is hosting our final Open Meeting of the 2026 season for Solos, RS Aeros and Contenders.

LTSC has a strong fleet of Solos and Aeros and a long association with the Contender fleet so we're very much looking forward to welcoming friends, old and new, to Lymington.

Registration opens at 09:00 with a Competitor briefing scheduled for 10:00. 1st Warning signal is 11:25 with 3 back to back races planned.

Our legendary coffee and doughnuts will be available when you return to shore!

Our Notice of Race and Online entry is available at: www.ltsc.co.uk/solo-aero-contender

Aero Sailors can also find the event via their own site at: www.rsaerosailing.org/index.asp?p=event&eid=3230

Visiting sailors are very welcome to make a weekend of it and join us for Club Racing on Sunday 4th October.

Please feel free to contact the Club directly for further information: www.ltsc.co.uk/contact-us

Seldén UK Sponsor IRC Autumn Championship

 

Hamble Winter Series is delighted to announce that Seldén UK will be sponsoring the Hamble IRC Autumn Championship this year. The IRC Autumn Championship will take place on the 10th and 11th of October 2026, Race Week 2 of the 45th Hamble Winter Series.

"Seldén UK is proud to support the Hamble IRC Autumn Championship" said Richard Thouroughgood, UK Sales Manager at Seldén, "We have a long-standing relationship with the Hamble River Sailing Club that organises the event and we are looking for to supporting the club and competitors in this renowned weekend of close racing"

HRSC Commodore, Trevor Pountain was equally enthusiastic. "We look forward developing our partnership with Selden UK, for the benefit of all concerned."

Competitors taking part in the event will be able to claim a discount from Seldén, who make a complete range of deck hardware, as well their famous masts and spars.

A number of the usual suspects have already entered the weekend, including the recently crowned National IRC Champion, Elaine Again, Ed Mockridge's JPK 10.10.

Enter online at: www.hamblewinterseries.com

Emirates GBR Ready for Crucial Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix in Geneva

 

Reigning Rolex SailGP Champions Emirates GBR return to action this weekend at the Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix, with the battle for a place in the Season Grand Final intensifying.

Racing takes place on Lake Geneva on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, marking the 11th event of the 2026 Rolex SailGP Championship and the first of the final three events of the season.

With the Championship approaching its decisive stages, Emirates GBR arrive in Geneva fifth in the overall standings on 51 points, just five points behind the United States in third and the all-important Grand Final qualification places.

Dylan Fletcher's team showed signs of improved performance at the Spain Sail Grand Prix in Valencia last time out but missed the Event Final following an incredibly tight weekend of light-air racing.

Fletcher said: "As we know in SailGP, anything can happen, and it often does. We feel like we're finding our form and we need to continue pushing for gains right up until the last race of the season.

"We left points on the table in Valencia, but there are still three events to go and a huge amount to race for. We've been in this position before and know how quickly things can change in SailGP. Our focus is on putting together a strong weekend in Geneva and continuing to close that gap to the top three."

Light winds are forecast on Lake Geneva, conditions expected to favour some of the fleet's recognised light-air performers. However, Lake Geneva is renowned for its complex and changeable breeze, which could create opportunities throughout the 13-team fleet.

Strategist Hannah Mills said: "Geneva is going to be a very different challenge. The forecast looks light and we know those conditions can quickly change the complexion of an event. Starts become even more important, and finding pressure and getting the boat flying will make a huge difference.

"There have also been some big changes across the fleet coming into this weekend. Ultimately, though, we need to concentrate on ourselves, execute our racing and put ourselves in the best possible position to fight for the Final."

Emirates GBR have been drawn into Group B for the opening fleet racing alongside Championship leaders Bonds Flying Roos, the Black Foils, NorthStar Canada, home favourites Explora Journeys Swiss and Red Bull Italy.

The United States, meanwhile, will race in Group A alongside Artemis, Los Gallos, ROCKWOOL Racing, Mubadala Brazil, Germany by Deutsche Bank and France.

With only the top two teams from each group progressing into the winner-takes-all Event Final, every point will be crucial as Emirates GBR look to close the gap in the Championship standings.

Fletcher will once again be joined onboard the Emirates GBR F50 by wing trimmer Stuart Bithell, flight controller Luke Parkinson, grinders Nick Hutton and Neil Hunter, and strategist Hannah Mills.

The Rolex Switzerland Sail Grand Prix is SailGP's second visit to Geneva, following the Championship's Swiss debut in 2025.

Racing takes place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, with UK viewers able to watch all the action live on TNT Sports 3 on Saturday and TNT Sports 4 on Sunday from 14:30 BST.

RYA refreshed Together on Water strategy with ambitious vision to double participation

 

The RYA and British Sailing have today unveiled the refreshed Together on Water strategy, setting out an ambitious ten-year vision to connect more people than ever before with the water and the benefits it brings.

Read the strategy

Building on the foundations of the strategy first launched in 2023, the refresh outlines a clear plan of action designed to grow participation, strengthen communities and safeguard the waters that inspire millions across the UK.

At the heart of the strategy is a bold ambition to:

Double active participation in water-based activities over the next decade.

Enable 10 million people to experience a meaningful connection to blue spaces.

Create more opportunities for people from all backgrounds to get on the water and feel they belong.

"Since originally launching Together on Water, we have put our community at the heart of everything we do, and we are already seeing the impact," said Sara Sutcliffe, RYA CEO.

"We have listened and we know that being on the water can be life-changing, but too many people still feel that spending time on the water is not accessible to them, and that must change. As an island nation, being on the water should be part of our national identity".

In order to achieve these ambitions, the strategy is built around four cross-cutting priorities:

More People, More Often- Growing participation and helping people develop lifelong connections with the water.

More Backgrounds- Opening opportunities and creating a welcoming community where everyone feels they belong.

Better Blue Spaces- Protecting and enhancing the waters that connect us all.

Brilliant Basics- Providing the strong foundations, systems and support that enable everything the RYA does.

From challenging dated perceptions to enabling more young people to unlock opportunities that extend far beyond participation, Together on Water is about making time on the water something people can grow up with and return to throughout their lives.

The refreshed strategy is informed by key insights from the RYA's Reflections on Water Survey and the National Watersports Participation Survey, which highlight the significant role that water plays in people's lives.

The research shows that:

People are drawn to the water because of how it makes them feel.

Strong communities help more people thrive on and around the water.

Reducing barriers will enable more people to participate.

Future growth depends on reaching and welcoming new audiences.

People who feel connected to blue spaces are more likely to protect and care for them.

Through Together on Water, the RYA will continue to support and empower the people who make activity possible, working with the incredible network of clubs, training centres, volunteers, partners and communities.

Areas of work include creating opportunities through volunteering, leadership and careers, supporting under-represented groups and building programmes that connect people where they live.

Sir Michael Arthur, RYA Chair added: "We know this ambition is bold, but due to the invaluable support from our members, dedicated network and partners, we are not working alone.

"Together on Water has always championed the joy of sailing and boating and now the RYA enters its next chapter with a sharper focus as we turn that vision into action".

Tideway Firefly Inland Championship 2026 at Rutland Sailing Club

 

The Inland Championship is a qualifying round of the 2026 Craftinsure Vines Series, the National Firefly Class Association's open meeting championship sponsored by Craftinsure.

There's an extra reason to push for the podium this year, too: prizes from Marlow Ropes, will be up for grabs at Rutland.

Rutland is calling

The swarm heads to Rutland Water this weekend and, for once, the forecast is firmly on our side. Proper breeze is on the way for the Inland Championship, and the entry list already stands at 44 boats, a dozen of them from the home club who will be very keen indeed to defend their own water.

The racing

Saturday is all about sprints: five short, sharp races, back to back. Sunday then slows the tempo but raises the stakes, with three longer races to settle the title.

Registration opens before the briefing, which is in the wet bar at 11:00 on Saturday, with the first warning signal at 11:55. On Sunday the first warning signal is at 10:25, and no race will start after 15:30. Don't be late.

On the water we get two race officers for the price of one, with Ella Ashworth supporting her dad, Adrian Stoggall. Expect a tight ship and, quite possibly, some family debate about the line bias.

Ashore

Saturday night is shaping up to be a big one. A two-course meal for just £12 is hard to beat, and 100 people have already signed up, so book now if you haven't. A DJ has been organised to keep the party going, and members and sailors alike have pledged to keep the bar busy.

Bunk room accommodation is available on site, and there is tent space at the campsite across the road (www.rutlandwatercampsite.co.uk).

Forty-four boats, a breezy forecast, eight races, a £12 dinner and a DJ. If you're not entered yet, now is the time: rutlandsailingclub.co.uk/event/firefly-inlands

Raffle update

Every helm and every crew racing at Rutland earns a ticket towards Firefly F4444, the race-ready ex-demo built by Ovington Boats, with spars by Selden, sails and covers by Hyde, and a launch trolley by Sailboat Trailers.

The Inland Championship is the first of the final five open meetings before the deadline, so every event now counts.

Tickets are earned, not bought, and you must opt in at forms.gle/MSeCVBpEpvcyQp1v7 by 14 November 2026 to make the draw, which takes place at the 80th Anniversary Dinner at the Royal Thames Yacht Club on Saturday 21 November.

Tickets for the 80th Anniversary Dinner are available now: forms.gle/i9SfR5xKvzf7dAkU6

The 2026 Craftinsure Vines Series is proudly supported by Craftinsure. The National Firefly Class Association's named sponsor is Tideway Wealth. All results and entry information: www.fireflyclass.co.uk

Noble Marine Supernova Travellers Series at Emberton Park Sailing Club

 

Saturday 12th of September saw Emberton Park SC host the first round of the 26/27 Noble Marine Supernova Travellers series. Seven visitors joined the Emberton sailors to field a sixteen strong fleet of Supernovas - including Tim Wade, launching his new-to-him boat for the first time, welcome to the class, Tim!

With three races planned for the day bacon rolls and dinghy park chat was first order of business.

For the first race RO Rob Hemmin maximised use of our small lake using eight of the nine marks available to him. We got away first time and Will Crocker rapidly established a commanding lead, handling the challenging conditions with apparent ease - drawing on experience from his youth learning to sail at Emberton? The chasing pack included locals, Luke Fisher and Rob Bell, who would go on to take second and third places respectively whilst Will sailed a solo victory lap to finish.

Lunch was a welcome chance to reset and refuel with homemade delights from the galley.

With the gusts continuing to look angry, a reduced fleet returned to the water for the afternoon session. For race two Will, once again, established an early lead, but on the slightly reduced course, the pack behind kept it tighter with Haversham's Sean Muldoon taking second from Luke in third.

Race three started with the now familiar pattern of Will taking the lead, but a slip in his previously flawless boat handling saw him checking the daggerboard and dropping to fourth - if only for one lap! Avon's Jon Wood would go on to take second and Sean finished in third. With energy levels failing and misadventure taking its toll there would only be two further finishers - Girton's Nick Whiles and Emberton's own Karl Richardson.

Congratulations to Will Crocker on a well-deserved win and runners-up Sean Muldoon and Luke Fisher. There was hot competition for the "best capsize" award with Serena Stewardson's backflip on to her sail claiming the prize!

Huge thanks to the team at Emberton for making the event happen and to the Supernova class for coming to play!

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Club R1 R2 R3 Pts

1st 1287 Will Crocker North Lincs ‑1 1 1 2

2nd 1319 Sean Muldoon Haversham SC ‑5 2 3 5

3rd 1163 Luke Fisher EPSC 2 3 (RET) 5

4th 1137 Jon Wood Avon SC 4 ‑6 2 6

5th 1275 Rob Bell EPSC 3 4 (RET) 7

6th 1234 Nick Whiles Girton (RET) 5 4 9

7th 1090 Karl Richardson EPSC ‑12 7 5 12

8th 1083 Serena Stewardson EPSC 6 9 (RET) 15

9th 1309 Jason Thorniley EPSC 7 10 (RET) 17

10th 1179 Jeremy Renwick Bowmoor 11 8 (RET) 19

11th 516 Chris Johnson EPSC 9 11 (DNC) 20

12th 1196 Mike Griffiths EPSC 8 13 (DNS) 21

13th 1007 Stephen Ratcliffe Haversham SC 13 12 (RET) 25

14th 1350 Tim Wade 10 (DNC) DNC 27

15th 1195 lan White EPSC (RET) DNC DNC 34

15th 472 John Williams EPSC (DNS) DNC DNC 34

Flying Fifteen Classic and Silver National Championship 2026 at Llangorse Sailing Club

 

The Flying Fifteen Classic & Silver Fleets convened in the picturesque setting of Llangorse Lake in the Brecon Beacons National Park for their 2026 National Championship over the weekend of September 12th-13th. Visitors brought boats from as far as North East Scotland to take part, with one competitor even flying-in from the Caribbean!

The members of Llangorse Sailing Club had done a tremendous amount of work in preparation for the event, both for the racing itself and also the social side of the event which included catering for nearly fifty people in the clubhouse on the Saturday evening - with the meal even accompanied by a specially-created Flying Fifteen-themed quiz! Needless to say the effort was greatly appreciated by the competitors and a friendly and enjoyable time was had by all.

The first day saw three races completed in conditions which were mostly overcast but with glimpses of blue sky breaking through. Winds were variable both in strength and direction and gusty enough to provide some exciting and slightly challenging sailing at times on a course which featured a long broad-reaching leg.

David Mckee, sailing with daughter Emily in GBR759, and Brett Dingwall, sailing with son Ben in GBR397, were in a class of their own in the Classic fleet and between them filled the first two spots in every race, with David ending the day one point ahead. Behind them Jeremy Arnold & Richard Hope in GBR2646 and David Morgan & Lorina Walden in GBR2663 were having an equally-close battle for third, again ending the day separated by only a single point, followed further back by the two Scottish boats of Bobby Salmond & Paul Atwell (GBR627) and Graham & Alasdair Sharp (SCO485)

Over in the Silver fleet the local boat of Rob Dangerfield & Claire Ellis (GBR3121) were making the running with two race wins from the three races, chased by Michael & Mark Green (GBR3003) in second and Jordan Aspin & Jason Benn (GBR3286) in third.

Back on shore a very convivial evening was had by all, including amongst other things the afore-mentioned quiz and a healthy exchange of opinions regarding whether or not Loch Ness is a lake!

I'd like to say at this point that Sunday morning dawned bright and clear and with a nice steady breeze - but unfortunately it didn't and we instead had rain, mist that obscured the tops of the hills and not even enough wind to turn the impeller on the Race Officer's anemometer. It was clear that racing looked doubtful and for many crews boat launching was replaced by coffee drinking under the shelter of the clubhouse veranda.

An initial one-hour postponement was set with an further announcement promised at 11am - but at that point, and with that impeller still not turning and no wind at all forecast before 1pm, the Race Officer made the sensible decision to abandon further racing. Whilst this announcement was being made the abandonment flag chose to flutter away merrily having found a patch of contrary Welsh wind from somewhere, but none of the competitors were fooled and everyone agreed that the Race Officer had done the right thing.

So with the overnight results standing David Mckee & Emily Kippen became 2026 Flying Fifteen Classic Fleet champions (with Emily also winning the prize for First Lady), with Rob Dangerfield & Claire Ellis taking the Silver fleet title.

Many thanks to Llangorse SC for putting-on a hugely enjoyable event both on and off the water, and we look forward to returning to your green and pleasant, if sometimes rather wet, part of the world again in the future.

Classic fleet:

Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 Pts

1st 759 David McKee Emily Kippen Dovestone SC 2 1 1 4

2nd 397 Brett Dingwall Ben Dingwall Rickmansworth 1 2 2 5

3rd 2646 Jeremy Arnold Richard Hope Draycote SC 3 3 4 10

4th 2663 David Morgan Lorina Walden LSC 4 4 3 11

5th 627 Bobby Salmond Paul Atwell Royal Northern SC 5 5 7 17

6th 485 Graham Sharp Alasdair Sharp Loch Earn 7 6 5 18

7th 2803 Glen Fullarton Craig McCracken Helensburgh SC 8 8 6 22

8th 2645 Paul Woods Nigel Annett LSC 6 9 10 25

9th 2695 J Craddock J Layton LSC 10 7 8 25

10th 419 Mick Scholes Anne Webb D{vestone SC 11 11 9 31

11th 1155 Graham Lamond Rachel Lamond Ripon SC 9 10 DNC 32

12th 762 Pete Smith Graham LSC 12 DNC DNC 38

Fast Racing and Sinking Pontoons at the JOG Stoneways Poole Weekend

 

The Stoneways Poole Weekend delivered another memorable chapter in the JOG Coastal Series, with 55 boats signed up for two days of racing between Cowes and Poole.

Near peak spring tides, conditions ranging from light airs to more than 20 knots, and a packed Saturday night in Poole gave competitors plenty to contend with both on and off the water.

Saturday, Cowes to Poole

Saturday morning presented the Race Committee with an immediate challenge. With an exceptionally strong tide running and very little wind at the scheduled start time, racing was briefly postponed to allow the breeze to establish and give the fleet a fighting chance of making progress against the tide.

Once the wind arrived, the fleet was away.

The opening stages took competitors east from the start before rounding a mark and turning back west for the passage out of the Solent. By the time the fleet reached Hurst, conditions had changed considerably. The breeze continued to build into the low twenties, producing a fast, windy and increasingly bumpy exit into Christchurch Bay.

From Hurst, the fleet charged west across Poole Bay towards Peveril Ledge buoy. With the stronger breeze now well established, there was some excellent sailing across the bay before boats rounded at Peveril and enjoyed a fast power reach towards Poole and the finish at the Stoneways Marine mark.

The majority of the fleet crossed the line between 15:30 and 17:00 before heading into Poole Quay Boat Haven, where the marina team did a remarkable job of accommodating the large JOG fleet.

Attention then quickly turned from racing to the 18:00 dock party. Crews gathered on the pontoons for well-earned drinks from local Purbeck Brewery and to celebrate the day's racing. Such was the turnout that one pontoon found itself briefly underwater, with crews from across the fleet catching up after a lively day on the water.

Sunday, Poole to Cowes

Sunday brought more settled conditions for the return race, with around eight knots of breeze at the start, increasing to a steady 12-14 knots as the day progressed.

From the start at Stoneways, boats faced a short upwind leg to Stoneways Marine before turning downwind for the long run home.

What followed was an excellent downwind race across Poole Bay, through Hurst and back into the Solent. The fleet continued beyond Cowes before rounding the final turning mark and setting up for one last short upwind leg, this time with the tide, to the finish.

After Saturday's stronger and more physical conditions, Sunday presented a very different challenge, with plenty of tactical decisions and opportunities for gains throughout the fleet.

Across the two days, the Stoneways Poole Weekend offered just about everything, from huge tides and light airs to building breeze, lumpy seas, fast reaching and long downwind sailing, alongside the close competition and sociable atmosphere that are hallmarks of JOG racing.

Weekend winners:

Saturday, Cowes to Poole

IRC Class 1: Dusty P, Richard Patrick

IRC Class 2: RORC Griffin, Jesssica Jarman and Henry Redmond

IRC Class 3 & IRC OVerall: Javelin, Richard Newsom

IRC Class 4: Sailfish, Oli Hawkins

Double Handed: Rockit, Chris Hanson

Women's Sailing Series: With Alacrity, Chris and Vanessa Choules

Generation JOG Henri-Lloyd winner: Elaine Again

Sunday, Poole to Cowes

IRC Class 1: Dusty P, Richard Patrick

IRC Class 2: Unruly, Charles Bull

IRC Class 3: Nightjar, Lulu Wallis

IRC Class 4 & IRC Overall: Stan the boat, Toby Gorman

Double Handed: Joyride, Ed Rogers

Women's Sailing Series: With Alacrity, Chris and Vanessa Choules

Full results can be found at myjog.jog.org.uk/results

A huge thank you goes to Stoneways Marine for sponsoring the weekend and helping to make another successful JOG race weekend possible.

Thanks also go to Poole Quay Boat Haven, whose team did an exceptional job of fitting the JOG fleet into the marina and looking after boats as they arrived throughout Saturday afternoon, and to Parkstone Yacht Club for providing its committee boat, which was invaluable for the finish of Saturday's Cowes to Poole race and the start of the return race on Sunday.

One final race weekend

There is now just one Coastal Series weekend remaining in the 2026 JOG season, with the fleet heading out for one final hurrah on 26 and 27 September. Entries remain open here.

After that, attention turns to the JOG Awards Evening at the Harbour Hotel Southampton on 31 October, when crews will come together to celebrate the 2026 season. With the year's trophies and awards to present, dinner, drinks and dancing into the night, there will be plenty to celebrate after another memorable season of JOG racing. Find out more here.

Big Winds at the UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix at Grafham Water Sailing Club

 

Conditions at the UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix Open at Grafham Water Sailing Club matched the formidable forecast of a South-Westerly breeze of 12 knots, gusting up to a vicious 27 knots under changing cloud cover and bright intervals.

The wind conditions prompted several of the 38 entrants to change down a rig size before launching to maintain control. The race management team ran three back-to-back races over a trapezoid course. Due to the high winds, the fleet was glad that the opening race of three laps was shortened to two laps for the remaining two races.

ILCA 4 Fleet

In the ILCA 4 fleet, Will Keys-Batson (NBYC/WOBYC) put on a spectacular display of heavy-weather boat handling, winning all three races to take the class victory with 2.0 net points. His score also secured him the overall handicap title for the event. Isobelle Johnson (WOBYC) finished second overall with a 2-2 recovery in the final two races, finishing ahead of Ella Bonnett (Orford Sailing Club) in third.

ILCA 6 Fleet

The 22-boat ILCA 6 fleet proved to be the largest and fiercest contest of the day, demanding boat speed and pinpoint downwind control.

Nathan Clark (WOBYC) won all three races to take first place overall. Ciara Murphy (Cayman Islands Sailing Club) finished second with two 2nd-place finishes after discarding an initial 5th. Kieran Vanhoutte (Ely Sailing Club) took third overall. Local Grafham sailor William Swann finished fourth overall, securing two 4th-place finishes in the final two races after a difficult opening race.

ILCA 7 Fleet

John Elder (Grafham Water Sailing Club) won the opening race of the ILCA 7 fleet. However, Daniel Bull (Rollesby Broad Sailing Club) won the class outright on 2.0 net points after winning both Race 2 and Race 3, recovering from a 7th-place finish in Race 1.

John Elder (1-3) and David Gale (2-2) finished tied on 4.0 net points. Elder took second place overall on the tie-break due to his opening race win, placing Gale in third. Marcellus Pryor (Draycote Water Sailing Club) finished fourth overall, helped by a 2nd-place finish in Race 2.

Conditions and Capsizes

The 27-knot gusts made handling difficult across the course, causing two mast failures during the event. Capsizes were frequent across all fleets, with one competitor recording at least 20 capsizes over the three races before reaching the finish line.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the competitors to the race officer, safety boat crews, and shore volunteers for managing the heavy weather conditions safely.

Grafham Water SC extends an invitation to all ILCA sailors to join them for their winter series running from November to March offering big courses and fleet racing every Sunday.

Overall Results:

ILCA 4 Fleet

1. Will Keys-Batson (NBYC/WOBYC) - 2.0 net pts (Overall Handicap Winner)

2. Isobelle Johnson (WOBYC) - 4.0 net pts

3. Ella Bonnett (Orford Sailing Club) - 5.0 net pts

ILCA 6 Fleet

1. Nathan Clark (WOBYC) - 2.0 net pts

2. Ciara Murphy (Cayman Islands Sailing Club) - 4.0 net pts

3. Kieran Vanhoutte (Ely Sailing Club) - 5.0 net pts

4. William Swann (Grafham Water Sailing Club) - 8.0 net pts

ILCA 7 Fleet

1. Daniel Bull (Rollesby Broad Sailing Club) - 2.0 net pts

2. John Elder (Grafham Water Sailing Club) - 4.0 net pts (Won tie-break)

3. David Gale (Grafham Water Sailing Club) - 4.0 net pts

4. Marcellus Pryor (Draycote Water Sailing Club) - 7.0 net pts

Wayfarer International Rally 2026 at Loch Lomond

 

For 2026, it was the turn of the UK to host the Wayfarer Class International Rally. This remarkable cruising event has run for 35 years, and the International Wayfarer Class Associations take turns to host. 2025 was in Denmark, 2024 Friesland, 2023 Ireland and 2022 France.

So it was that 30 Wayfarers from across Europe and the UK, plus sailors visiting from North America and Canada, congregated at Loch Lomond on 5th September for a week of fun filled Dinghy Adventuring, renewing long standing friendships, and creating new ones.

On the whole the weather played ball; this being Scotland some rain was to be expected, and was delivered, along with plenty of sunshine and a good range of wind strengths in which to explore the islands at the southern end of the Loch. The wind bends and gusts around the island, so a degree of concentration is required, but not enough to detract from admiring the stunning scenery which was the backdrop to the sailing, whichever way you looked.

Lunches were of the picnic variety, while the group shared several organised evening meals, enjoying the traditional dishes of Scotland, and other world famous Scottish beverages and spirits.

On the day when the winds didn't co-operate, sailors either enjoyed walking parts of the West Highland Way, which runs adjacent to the Loch, or visiting some of the many places of interest in the vicinity.

The week rounded off with a beautiful downwind sail from Luss back to Loch Lomond Waterfront, Balmaha, where the rally was based - a wonderful sailing memory to take away.

In 2027, the Rally is going to Lake Ontario, Canada, before visiting Hayling Island for 2028.

Adventuring Rallies are a staple part of owning a Wayfarer dinghy, and to find out more about how to take part, visit www.wayfarer.org.uk or follow Wayfarer Association on Facebook.

Thanks as always to our sponsors - Craftinsure, Rooster and Allen for helping out.