Solo class Nigel Pusinelli Trophy and Southern Championship 2026 at Felpham Sailing Club

 

The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy, incorporating the Southern Championship, sponsored by P&B

This weekend is shaping up to be an epic encounter for those Solo sailors who venture to Felpham to contest the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy, the two day event coincides with another climate change/El Niño induced heatwave and North Easterly winds forecast to provide ideal hiking conditions.

Class President Guy Mayger comments: "Looking ahead to the Nigel Pusinelli and Southern Area champs at Felpham this weekend, it certainly looks like it's going to be a hot one!

"Firstly, apologies for the clash with the Goodwood Festival of Speed. If you still considering coming, do give me a shout and I'll see if we can find you some local accommodation.

"Entry is still open up until Saturday morning and I've been informed there will be homemade cakes on offer as an extra tempter!

"Per the NOR and SIs, as well as the championship races we will also be running a one-off 70th anniversary race for 10 competitors with the opportunity to win £70. You need to be here for a chance to win!

"The race, subject to conditions, will consist of a two lap windward/leeward course with sailors starting at timed intervals at the discretion of your class president. First sailor to grab the cash after the two laps wins. Felpham also hosted a Champions race for the 50th Anniversary so it has a special relationship with the Solos.

"For Saturday evening we have a meal and band scheduled, plus the first half of the football. We may need to head down to the Fox Inn (200m away) to catch the second half due to the licence laws. Either way, it should be a great evening!

"Unusually, for the south coast, it looks like we will have the breeze out of the East, North East over the course of the weekend. This should make for some very interesting and challenging racing with shifts coming off the land, particularly on Sunday.

"Being a relatively shallow race area, the tide should be pretty even over the course but do note that the direction will start to change approximately an hour ahead of the posted times.

"With the gradient breeze looking pretty solid at 10-15 knots (plus gusts) over the two days, there is unlikely to be any sea breeze effect other than the North Easterly possibly being dragged round a little towards the East.

"With the breeze across or slightly offshore, launching will be easy for those not used to the lumpy stuff.

"All in all, it looks like a top weekends racing ahead!"

This is the tester event for the 2027 National Championship, Felpham having hosted it six times spanning as many decades so it must have some magic. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the local car show is on but more importantly, Salcombe Merlin Week and the 505 Worlds at Hayling Island have drastically reduced entry but those who do go will enjoy some great on and off water action, whether it is the sailing or the football.

We have decided to reduce WhatsApp commentary to off water interviews so we can focus on obtaining higher resolution video and stills which will provide better overall event reports. To be honest I resembled a juggler spinning plates and would have eventually dropped either the drone, the camera, my phone or myself overboard!

All nations confirmed for the Team Racing World Championship 2026

 

The starting field is now complete. All 12 nations have confirmed their participation in the 2026 Team Racing World Championship for keelboats, to be held in Stockholm on 12-16 August.

This confirms that the Swedish capital will become the meeting place for the world's leading team racing sailors when the championship is staged in Europe for the very first time. The 12 nations are Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Sweden, UK, USA 1, USA 2.

The championship will take place on Riddarfjärden, in the very heart of Stockholm, and is organised by Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap on behalf of World Sailing. Twelve national teams from four continents will compete, with a total of 96 sailors.

"That all nations are now confirmed shows the strong international interest in both the championship and Stockholm as a sailing venue. This will be a world championship of the highest calibre, both competitively and in terms of public appeal," says Magnus Myrenberg, Project Manager for the 2026 Team Racing World Championship.

Stockholm selected after international tender

Following an international bidding process, Stockholm was selected ahead of several other candidate host cities. Decisive factors included the city's experience in stadium-style sailing and Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap's long-standing work with the Stockholm International Team Race Regatta (SITR), which has been held annually since 2016.

"Being awarded the championship is recognition of many years of long-term work together with our partners and the City of Stockholm. The 2026 Team Racing World Championship will be one of the most accessible and spectator-friendly sailing events ever held in Sweden," says Magnus Myrenberg.

A World Championship in the heart of the city

Racing will take place from 12-16 August 2026 on Riddarfjärden, directly adjacent to Stockholm City Hall. The location offers outstanding spectator experiences from quays, bridges and elevated viewpoints around the bay, including Västerbron, Skinnarviksberget and Norr Mälarstrand. The event is free of charge and open to the public.

Team Racing is one of the most gender-equal disciplines in sailing. Each national eight person team must consist of at least three women and three men. The championship will be sailed in identical J/80 boats and feature more than 140 intense matches in a highly spectator-friendly format.

The event hub will be the Sailors' Village at Norr Mälarstrand, bringing together race management, media, public areas, cafés, sponsor zones and grandstands. Visitors will also be able to take part in try-sailing activities, radio-controlled sailing and after-sail events.

Defending champions prepare for Stockholm

Last year's world champions are already setting their sights on Stockholm. Will Bailey, skipper of the reigning Corinthian world champion team, describes the build-up to the 2026 championship as both challenging and inspiring: "Racing in J/80s is new for us, so there's been a steep learning curve. Being able to train right in the city, on a harbour course similar to Stockholm, has been incredibly valuable," says Bailey. He also highlights what makes Team Racing so compelling: "The races are short, intense and incredibly close. Anyone can win any race, which makes it exciting for sailors and spectators alike."

Sustainability at the Core

Sustainability is a central pillar of the event. All transport within Stockholm will be emission-free, support boats will primarily be electric or powered by biofuel, and food and waste management will follow the World Sailing Sustainability Framework.

Facts: Team Racing World Championship 2026

Dates: 12-16 August 2026 (training day 11 August)

Venue: Riddarfjärden, Stockholm

Organiser: Gamla Stans Yacht Sällskap

Rights Holder: World Sailing Participants: 12 national teams, 96 sailors

Boat type: J/80

Spectators: Free admission

Sustainability standard: World Sailing Sustainability Framework

Noble Marine Streaker National Championship 2026 at Sunderland Yacht Club

 

The Streaker fleet is heading to Sunderland Yacht Club this weekend to escape the worst of the latest heatwave... and to contest the Noble Marine Streaker National Championships. Here's our form guide, so you can place your bets before the event kicks off on Friday.

Glancing at the entry list, it's hard to look past three-times National Champion, Martin Penty (Beaver SC). On two of those occasions he beat Tom Gillard to the title so, with Tom away at Salcombe in his Merlin, there'll be plenty of people backing Martin to win at Sunderland 2026.

But don't expect Martin to have it all his own way. His biggest challenge is likely to come from Beaver's young(er) hot-shots, Ollie Groves, Richard Hanby and Giles Therkelsen-Smith. Ollie is an Endeavour Trophy winner; he and Richard both have top form in other competitive classes, Ollie in the RS400 and the 2000 and Richard in the RS300.

Meanwhile, Giles is a Streaker specialist, honing his skills against the super-competitive Beaver fleet at every opportunity. He knows he can take a race or two from Martin and at some point the Apprentice will become the Master!

You'll have gathered by now, we expect a strong showing from Beaver SC, with every possibility they could clean-sweep the podium. But who could spoil their party?

Two-times Nationals Champion, Ian Jones (Dovestone SC), has been out of the fleet for several years, focussing on (and winning) the ILCA Masters. He could be one to watch, especially as he's sailing the Gillard's Nationals-winning Streaker; no excuses, Ian!

We also reckon Pete Gray (Staunton Harold SC) and Steve Blackburn (West Lancs YC) could cause an upset, although they both have form more often as bridesmaids than brides! And how about the Broadstairs SC gang? Lee Goodey and Dave Adams should be competitive on the open waters of Seaburn Bay, as if it's their home event!

Elsewhere in the fleet, Allen Sailing will be supporting the Silver and Bronze fleets, helping to ensure competitive and enjoyable racing throughout the fleet. Wendy Jones (Dovestone SC) is our hot tip to take First Lady and probably Silver fleet honours, although Ceri Thomas (Broadstairs SC) and Neil Parkhurst (Beaver SC) may disagree!

The Bronze fleet looks wide-open, but if we had to pick a winner we quite fancy Stuart Burnett (Beaver SC). A couple of other likely contenders for Bronze fleet honours are Ian Whitfield (Tamworth SC) and Sandy Mill (Shotwick Lake SC).

Of course the Streaker Nationals isn't only about the racing. The social highlight will be Hartley Boats Bingo before World Cup football on Saturday evening. The cup may (or may not) be 'coming home' but, for one lucky sailor, a brand new Hartley Boats Streaker mainsail definitely will be!

The Noble Marine Streaker National Championship runs over three days from Friday 10 July to Sunday 12 July. Our reporters will be there to bring you news of all the action as it unfolds.

CVRDA Vintage Dinghy event at Roadford Lake Sailing Club

 

The vintage sailing event at Roadford Lake held over the weekend of 4/5th July attracted 25 entrants, with the home club providing eight boats some of which were borrowed, including an Osprey, Albacore, OK, Jollyboat, National 12 and three Flying Fifteens. Six SigneT dinghies came from far and wide, including Humberside and Broadstairs which was a truly mammoth effort.

Conditions on the Saturday were quite variable with occasional decent wind patches but with short lulls and big wind shifts, and local PRO Norman Halstead did an excellent job setting the courses and getting the fleets away promptly, with possibly only one individual recall over the weekend.

With all the races being invisible handicap, the racing settled into a pattern with the Osprey, Albacore, OK,Finn and Fireball opening up a gap from the slower boats behind as they tended to accelerate away with the puffs as they came through and this made it difficult for the slower boats to keep up on corrected time, although Angus Cook and Leila Farmer in their refurbished Firefly 2117, fresh from triumph on the Tideway were quite close at times but just off the faster boats.

The first race on Sunday was the Gardiner Memorial race which was a longer race at well over an hour for most competitors and sailed in much lighter and variable conditions. Again, the faster boats went into a lead, with the OK of Commodore Richard Willows stuck a little further back, but on the last lap he picked up some downwind breeze to sail under the Albacore, and then catch up the leading boats who were marooned in the middle of the lake in a substantial lull. This enabled him to squeak into the lead ahead of the Osprey and take the trophy.

After a short lunch break racing continued with the wind even lighter, the PRO sailed two one lap races which in the hot sun and fickle wind seemed quite long enough. Of course, at 4 PM with everyone packing up a thermal breeze came across the lake and filled in, but such is life. The Signet fleet proved to be a revelation with a number of young sailors enjoying some excellent racing amongst the slower boats and performing very well and certainly on the Saturday when the breeze was picking up a bit kept in touch in the last two races extremely well.

The Vintage Sailing Events are an excellent way of keeping older classes and boats racing and this event with a number of older and younger sailors with some truly vintage boats showed that you don't need all the latest gizmos to have fun!

After sailing, competitors were treated to an excellent cream tea and biscuits by Ed Bremner's team of Nicky Brice and helpers, and thanks again to Alan Williams for doing the background organisation and Norman Halstead with his wife Sarah for being an excellent race team with instant reporting of results. See you all next year.

Overall Results:

Pos Class Sail No Sailors Handicap R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Pts

1 Osprey 942 John Williams & Ellie Hardy 84 1 1 5 2 6 1 5

2 Albacore 7143 Ann Whitfield & Keith Whitfield 93 2 2 1 4 1 2 6

3 OK 1759 Richard Willows 96 3 3 2 1 2 21 8

4 Finn 683 John Barnes 92 5 5 3 3 3 4 13

5 Fireball 14605 Philip Hooper & Mike Hooper 85 4 4 7 5 9 8 20

6 Jollyboat 3 Ed Bremner & ladies 88 16 7 4 8 13 6 25

7 Signet 921 Tom Field & Caroline Hollamby 107 9 10 11 9 4 5 27

8 Signet 761 Pat Overs & Eddie Davies 107 7 11 12 6 7 7 27

9 Signet 858 Harry Badcock & Frank Goodall 107 8 8 8 10 5 9 29

10 National 12 3360 Alan Watson 98 21 21 21 7 8 3 39

11 Firefly 2117 Angus Cook & Leila Farmer 100 6 6 6 21 21 21 39

12 Signet 690 Lizzy Davies & Abi Hollamby 107 10 12 10 11 11 12 42

13 Flying Fifteen 2923 Alan Williams & Stephen Scriven 87 21 13 13 13 12 10 48

14 Signet 369 Mark Hollamby 107 21 21 14 12 10 14 50

15 Firefly 4106 Ethan Walker & Anna Walker 100 11 9 9 21 21 21 50

16 Flying Fifteen 1439 Steven Tostevin & Neil/Lincoln 89 14 15 17 15 14 11 54

17 Signet 364 Bertie Badcock & Will Davies 107 12 21 15 16 21 13 56

18 Flying Fifteen 597 Simon Montgomery 89 15 16 16 14 15 15 59

19 OK 1728 Simon Deeks 96 13 14 21 21 21 21 69

20 French boat 2081 Pat Dawes & Harry Dawes 21 21 21 21 21 21 84

45th Hamble Winter Series Entries Open

 

The 45th Hamble Winter Series will start on the 4th October 2026 and run until the 29th of November 2026.

There will be eight weeks of class racing for IRC yachts, which will follow a tried and trusted formula of two races each Sunday for the first four weeks, followed by one race a day for the last four weeks, when daylight and air temperatures are both a little lacking.

The mid series break will be the weekend of 1st November. Earlybird entries for the winter series, which are terrific value, are available until the 4th of September 2026.

The Hamble IRC Autumn Championship will take place on the weekend of the 10th and 11th of October this year and weather permitting will see an increase to seven races.

Yachts that enter the full winter series will be automatically entered into the IRC Championship.

The Hamble One Design Championships will once again be on Race Week 1, the 3rd & 4th of October and Race Week 3, the 17th & 18th of October.

Prize-givings will be held every Sunday at the Hamble River Sailing Club after racing.

Entries are online at: www.hamblewinterseries.com

Swallow National Championship 2026 at Sea View Yacht Club

 

This year's Swallow National Championship was kindly hosted by Sea View Yacht Club, in rather more benign forecast conditions than the same event last year.

A slightly reduced fleet of fourteen Swallows ventured forth from Itchenor on Friday afternoon to make the journey to the Isle of Wight and compete in the traditional passage race. This was duly won by Osprey (S95) helmed by James Hartley closely followed by Buccaneer (S66) with Charles Peacock and his crew showing an early glimpse of form that they were to carry through the weekend.

Saturday saw three races in what could only be described as champagne sailing conditions. The wind settled into a pretty steady force 3 to 4, but as a Westerly produced some significant shifts as it came over and around the Island and on to the race area West of Seaview. A slight chop and a change of tide during the day made for some demanding but interesting race conditions, over straight windward / leeward courses with a spreader at windward and a leeward gate.

The first two races demonstrated the competitiveness of the fleet with a different top two; race one saw Svala (S89) take the honours with Blue Tit (S80) and Archon (S74) in third while race two was won by Marengo (S82) just squeaking past Gwahir (S93) and Archon (S74) in the last 10 metres.

The final race on Saturday proved 'interesting.' A big shift in wind direction at the start gun unfortunately meant the windward leg became rather one-sided with limited opportunities for overtaking. However, on the final run the leading boats failed to notice (or to hear the race committee's radio announcement) that the leeward gate was now a solitary mark. Having rounded to starboard a previous leeward marks the front 7 boats did the same on this lap, not having noted the SI's instruction for it to be to port. Following extensive onshore discussions these boats retired leaving the honours to land in the grateful laps of Marengo (S82), Spreadeagle (S85) and Blue Tit (S80).

Seaview provided wonderful views, hospitality and food on Saturday night for the Championship dinner. We were fortunate indeed to have the pleasure of being amongst friends, a glass in hand, looking over the Solent on a warm summer's evening.

Sunday dawned with a good wind from the North-West but a forecast for it to swing South Westerly. Convinced that the breeze would die as it backed before filling in, the PRO held a rather frustrated bunch of sailors ashore for an hour in reasonable race conditions.

When finally launched the final two races proved rather challenging with massive wind shifts, and many holes to fall into. Getting one's head round a spinnaker run to the windward mark having set off close hauled, or to see a significant lead slowly evaporate proved taxing. The first race ultimately saw Svala (S89) take first followed by Osprey (S95) and Buccaneer (S66), while the second saw Charles and crew in Buccaneer (S66) sail gently round the outside of the entire fleet to take the honours just 2 minutes inside the allocated time limit, followed by Osprey (S95) and Solitude (S67). Needless to say, the breeze then filled in robustly from the South-West giving the fleet a great run back to Itchenor.

Local PRO knowledge ultimately proved correct - but sadly too late given the time constraints on the fleet's racing times.

Overall Results:

Winners: Marengo (S82) - Carolyn Brigg, Oliver Sloper & David Sloper

Runners up: Buccaneer (S66) - Charles Peacock, Andy Gasser and Mike Ewart-Smith

Third: Gwahir: (S89) - Mike Wigmore, Charles Hyatt and Keith Bliss

All the competitors thanks go to Sea View Yacht Club for hosting the event, but also to our esteemed and tireless class Chairman, James Hartley, and his team for all their organisation and efforts, other than on the race track, there is never any doubt on where we should be or when!

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm R1 R3 R4 R5 R2 Pts

1 S82 Carolyn Brigg ‑4 1 4 4 1 10

2 S66 Charles Peacock 6 (RET) 3 1 5 15

3 S93 Mike Wigmore 5 4 ‑6 6 2 17

4 S74 Malcom Green 3 5 8 ‑10 3 19

5 S95 James Hartley 10 (RET) 2 2 6 20

6 S89 Nigel Masding 1 (RET) 1 11 8 21

7 S80 Paul Giles 2 3 ‑12 7 10 22

8 S7 Andy Fitzgerald 7 (RET) 9 8 4 28

9 S85 George Miller ‑11 2 7 9 11 29

10 S67 Andrew Reid 8 (RET) 5 3 OCS 31

11 S94 Jeremy Thompson 9 6 10 ‑12 7 32

12 S87 Robert Holbrook 12 (RET) 11 5 9 37

13 S96 Philip Swatman 13 (RET) DNC DNC 12 55

14 S79 Mark Walker 14 (RET) DNC DNC 13 57

Loch waterfront is a Holy experience for boat enthusiasts

 

The Clyde Coast has long been celebrated as one of Britain's most rewarding cruising destinations. With its sheltered sea lochs, charming island harbours, dramatic mountain scenery and rich maritime heritage, it offers a boating experience unlike anywhere else in the UK.

At the heart of this remarkable coastline sits Holy Loch Marina, a welcoming waterfront destination that combines exceptional cruising access with the relaxed atmosphere of a thriving coastal community.

Located on the shores of Holy Loch near Dunoon, the marina enjoys a privileged position within the Firth of Clyde. Surrounded by the rolling hills of the Cowal Peninsula and protected by naturally sheltered waters, it provides the ideal launch point for everything from leisurely day sails to ambitious west coast adventures.

From the marina, some of Scotland's most treasured cruising grounds lie within easy reach. The historic waterfront of Rothesay, the peaceful beauty of Loch Riddon, the winding Kyles of Bute and the dramatic landscapes of Arran can all be explored in a weekend. Venture further and the gateway to the Inner Hebrides opens up, revealing an unforgettable cruising playground of islands, wildlife and spectacular anchorages.

Yet Holy Loch Marina offers far more than access to outstanding waters. The marina has developed into a destination in its own right, appealing to visitors both on and off the water. Alongside more than 200 fully serviced berths, boatyard services, fuel, and marine engineering support, visitors can enjoy a vibrant onsite retail outlet featuring independent local boutiques, specialist retailers and a welcoming coffee shop overlooking the marina.

For visiting boaters exploring the Clyde Coast, the marina also offers added value through its visitor berth programme, with a second consecutive night's stay available at half price - the perfect excuse to linger a little longer and experience everything the area has to offer.

For those considering a permanent berth, Holy Loch Marina offers the rare combination of outstanding cruising grounds, comprehensive facilities and a genuine sense of community.

With direct access to some of Scotland's finest sailing waters, convenient transport links and year-round support from an experienced marina team, it provides an ideal long-term base from which to enjoy the Clyde and beyond.

The surrounding area is equally rich in attractions. Dunoon's Victorian heritage, the stunning landscapes of the Cowal Peninsula and nearby walking and cycling routes offer plenty to discover ashore.

What truly sets Holy Loch Marina apart, however, is its sense of community. Generations of boat owners have returned year after year, drawn by the friendly atmosphere, trusted local knowledge and enduring connections formed along the pontoons.

For more information visit: www.tingdeneboating.com/inland-marinas-uk/holy-loch/

Sir Ben Ainslie Inspires the Next Generation aboard RS Ventures at STEM Crew Live

 

Across Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight, 656 students from four schools took part in four days of hands-on STEM learning - designed to bring science, technology, engineering and maths to life through the world of sailing. More than 200 students also took to the water on RS Ventures at the Andrew Simpson Centre, discovering first-hand how the principles of STEM underpin performance in sailing.

Founded by Sir Ben Ainslie, the 1851 Trust uses the excitement of sailing to inspire young people and open doors to future careers they may never have considered. Throughout the week, students met sailors, engineers and innovators, explored the technology behind SailGP and experienced the teamwork and problem-solving that drives success in the sport.

Reflecting on his own journey, Sir Ben Ainslie explained why the Trust was created: "I didn't find STEM subjects easy at school. What I didn't realise was that every time I stepped onto a boat, I was using maths and science in everything I did. Once I saw science in action and how it worked beyond the textbook, I understood it. That's why we set up the 1851 Trust.

"Portsmouth is where our story began, and bringing young people back onto the water here is incredibly important to us. You can't become what you can't imagine, and we want every young person to have the chance to step into the world behind the sport, discover that science is already theirs and realise what they're capable of."

For many students, the experience marked their first time on the water despite living on the south coast. Sailing aboard RS Ventures transformed the Solent into an outdoor classroom where students tested ideas, solved problems and experienced the science of sailing through practical learning rather than textbooks.

Emily Johnson from St Edmund's Catholic School said: "We are an inner-city school although some children will have gone to the beach but never been on the water so important to show them what is on their doorstep.

"It shows them what is out there, it brings it to life for them making connections to taking options at GCSE and A-level and finding opportunities that are available to them. There is so much talent sat in classroom not fulfilling its full potential, and often it is because they don't realise they have these transferable skills or they haven't found their passion yet because they simply haven't been presented with an opportunity to discover it.

"Programmes like the 1851 Trust STEM Crew Live allows them to discover their 'I can' moment and meet inspiring role models like Sir Ben Ainslie that can show them what is possible to achieve".

As the 1851 Trust put it on their LinkedIn post: "You can't become what you can't imagine. That's why this week matters. We're particularly proud to be working with schools serving communities where opportunities like these aren't always a given. Because talent is everywhere. Opportunity isn't always."

RS Sailing is proud to see the RS Ventures at Andrew Simpson Centre used to make these experiences possible. A benchmark in our adventure and training range, the RS Venture is an award-winning dinghy that provides a safe, stable and accessible platform for teaching.

Our Managing Director, Alex Newton-Southon, commented on the event: "It's super inspiring to see these young people to discover the connection between sailing and future careers. Initiatives such as STEM Crew Live help build curiosity, confidence and opportunities both on and off the water."

Lord Birkett trophy 2026 Results

Lord Birkett Memorial Trophy

Ullswater Yacht Club

Results are provisional as of 18:03 on July 5, 2026

Overall

Sailed: 2, Discards: 0, To count: 2, Rating system: PY, Entries: 231, Scoring system: Appendix A

Rank Class SailNo HelmName CrewName PY R1 R2 Total Nett

1st 49er 343 LYONS Matty James Lyons 697 7.0 3.0 10.0 10.0

2nd INTERNATIONAL 14 1577 SHELLEY Jono Graham Priestly 758 1.0 10.0 11.0 11.0

3rd WAYFARER 10747 MCKEAND Louise Nigel Hall 1107 2.0 18.0 20.0 20.0

4th JAVELIN 580 REID Eddy Neil Reid 932 13.0 7.0 20.0 20.0

5th RS400 1511 GLEDHILL Hamish Ross Southwell 945 11.0 14.0 25.0 25.0

6th JAVELIN 577 SMITH Richard Kathryn Partington-Smith 932 14.0 13.0 27.0 27.0

7th 59er 111 PETERS Andrew Jonny O'Connor 905 20.0 8.0 28.0 28.0

8th HARTLEY ZENITH II 100 JONES Justin Chris Anderson 1010 4.0 25.0 29.0 29.0

9th SCORPION 2063 LENNON Michael Dave Orrell 1042 8.0 27.0 35.0 35.0

10th RS400 1401 RIMMER Alastair Ollie Brown 945 19.0 16.0 35.0 35.0

11th RS400 498 COATES Alistair Evie Coates 945 5.0 31.0 36.0 36.0

12th RS400 1515 MARSH Richard Heather Marsh 945 15.0 24.0 39.0 39.0

13th RS400 1453 REEKIE John Andrew Reekie 945 38.0 5.0 43.0 43.0

14th NATIONAL 18 - ULTRA 425 WILSON Michael Nathan Bachelor, Stu Bithell 900 31.0 15.0 

15th FlYING FIFTEEN 4109 CHANDLER David Nicola Abbatt 1028 29.0 21.0 50.0 50.0

16th RS400 1191 TYLECOTE Jamie Ben Tylecote 945 10.0 42.0 52.0 52.0

17th SOLUTION 460 HAMER Josh 1112 16.0 37.5 53.5 53.5

18th RS200 1657 PICKLES Chris Jack Pickles 1053 17.0 37.5 54.5 54.5

19th MUSTO SKIFF 653 NOBLE Dylan 830 48.0 9.0 57.0 57.0

20th MIRACLE 4040 GIBSON Neal Gemma Gibson 1196 6.0 52.5 58.5 58.5

21st VX ONE 49 NOBLE Lester Mark Simpson 860 50.0 11.0 61.0 61.0

22nd RS200 1003 SHARMAN Matthew Oliver Sharman 1053 27.0 34.0 61.0 61.0

23rd K6 216 HARVEY Richard Kate Franklin, Stuart Harvey 900 44.0 19.0 63.0 63.0

24th OSPREY 1345 CHANDLER Charlie Olly Hopkins 932 45.0 22.0 67.0 67.0

25th FlYING FIFTEEN 3927 THORNLEY John Megan Thornley 1028 35.0 33.0 68.0 68.0

26th MERLIN ROCKET 3752 BAILEY Samuel Nick Hydon 980 26.0 43.0 69.0 69.0

27th FlYING FIFTEEN 3506 BARNES Christian Denise Sykes 1028 25.0 54.0 79.0 79.0

28th VX ONE 149 LOCKEY Keith Paul Adams 860 76.0 4.0 80.0 80.0

29th RS400 1524 HALMAN Stuart Anna Walsh 945 64.0 17.0 81.0 81.0

30th ALBACORE 8261 HARRIS Barney Mark Fowler 1037 46.0 40.0 86.0 86.0

31st FlYING FIFTEEN 3517 ROBINSON Craig Hannah Robinson 1028 33.0 56.0 89.0 89.0

32nd 2000 2233 HILTON Jamie Marcia Shelley 1122 3.0 88.0 91.0 91.0

Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race returns for 2026 with a new Four Islands course

 

The Anglesey Offshore Dinghy Race (AODR) returns on Sunday 9 August 2026, organised by Red Wharf Bay Sailing and Watersports Club at Traeth Bychan on the north-east coast of Anglesey, north Wales.

The race is open to monohull dinghies and non-foiling multihulls across a broad handicap band, from ILCA 6s and GP14s to RS200s and RS400s, Wayfarers, 505s and Dart catamarans. Entry is £30 for single-handers and £35 for double-handers, including hot food at the finish, and the fleet is capped at 50 boats.

Online entry, the Notice of Race and the course are at angleseyoffshore.co.uk

Competitor briefing is at 09:45 with the first start at 10:15; the fastest boats are expected home in three and a half to four hours, with the whole fleet finishing within six hours and prize-giving at the club as soon as practical after racing.

After a year's pause in 2025, the race returns on a redesigned course. Rather than the traditional point-to-point from Beaumaris, the 2026 fleet starts and finishes in the same place — Traeth Bychan — and sails an out-and-back Four Islands course around Puffin, Ynys Dulas, Moelfre and Anglesey, with two long arms stretching north and south.

It runs to a target time rather than a fixed distance, flexing between roughly 9.5 and 16.5 nautical miles to suit the day: a proper endurance test when the breeze is up, without trapping a mixed fleet at sea in light airs. Starting and finishing in one place also means tighter, locally based safety cover and far less shore logistics for visitors.

The aim of the club is to grow from a target 40 boats in 2026 towards 100 by the end of the decade. The minimum age is 14, with under-18s sailing under parental consent.

First sailed in the 1960s and run more than fifty times since, the AODR has long been the north Wales coast's offshore rite of passage — a long, exposed, tide-and-tactics race that rewards seamanship as much as boat speed, and has previously formed part of the Allen Endurance Series. The 2024 running drew 38 starters in champagne conditions, won overall by Jac Bailey and Ben Sinfield in a 29er from Port Dinorwic Sailing Club. Olympians and club sailors have lined up alongside one another over the years.

"The old course was brilliant, but it had become hard to justify with our volunteer base, which is why we paused rather than run it below standard," said Race Manager Paul Halliwell. "The new course holds onto everything that made the AODR worth doing — it's still long, still coastal, still a challenge — and starting and finishing in one place means more sailing and less faff for everyone, visitors especially. We want it to grow."

Full details and entry: angleseyoffshore.co.uk

RS21 Championship 2026 Applications Now Open

 

The countdown is on! Applications are open for the RYA Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing Championships 2026. Exciting, tactical, sociable! This youth sailing event is a firm favourite in the UK racing calendar.

Taking place at Oxford Sailing Club on 10-11 October 2026, the annual championship brings together youth teams from sailing clubs, schools and organisations for a weekend of fast-paced racing, teamwork and plenty of fun ashore.

Team Racing at its Best

Organised by the RYA in partnership with the Eric Twiname Trust, the championships offer competition across three age categories:

Youth (Under 19) – 3v3 team racing in Fireflies (teams of six sailors)

Junior (Under 17) – 2v2 team racing in RS Fevas (teams of four sailors)

Super Junior (Under 15) – 2v2 team racing in RS Fevas (teams of four sailors)

X-Yachts Solent Cup 2026

 

The X-Yachts Solent Cup 2026 delivered a memorable weekend of racing on the Solent. Although Saturday began with a two-hour postponement due to a lack of wind, the Race Committee successfully completed the full racing programme once the breeze arrived.

The IRC fleet, ranging from the agile X-302 to the powerful X4.6, enjoyed close and tactical racing throughout the weekend. In the Pure Cruising Class, Sunday's pursuit race provided a particular highlight, with the fleet compressing dramatically before a thrilling final reach to the finish off Hill Head.

Off the water, owners, crews, families, and supporters gathered at the Royal Southern Yacht Club for a sold-out dinner, reinforcing the strong sense of community that continues to define the Solent Cup.

The event was made possible through the support of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, Race Officer Peter Bateson and his race management team, together with long-standing event partners: North Sails, B&G, Ronstan, Dubarry and Gallagher.

Looking ahead, the X-Yachts Solent Cup will return in 2028, continuing its tradition as one of the UK's most anticipated gatherings for X-Yachts owners, combining competitive racing, excellent hospitality and a unique community atmosphere.

Ardfern Yachts and Owen Sails sponsored Round Mull Yacht Race at Oban Sailing Club

 

In its 41st year, Oban Sailing Club's much anticipated annual Ardfern Yachts and Owen Sails sponsored Round Mull Yacht Race took place over the last weekend in June.

The race is run from Friday to Sunday over three legs around the stunning island of Mull on the West Coast of Scotland, covering around 94 nautical miles, taking in overnight stops in Tobermory and Bunessan, and racing up the sound of Mull, past Staffa, through the Sound of Iona and on through the Torran rocks. A bucket list event for sure!

30 yachts arrived in Oban on Friday after a welcome seafood buffet from Oban Sailing club and the famous Green shack on the Thursday night. The fleet was split into 4 classes.

The fist gun went off at Midday and a gentle spinnaker run proceeded to the mouth of Oban Bay, as each class followed. As the fleet headed out into the firth of Lorn kites were dropped and the yachts fetched off to Lismore with few place changes. But the fleet knew what was coming with the infamous Sound of Mull always ready to shake up the pack.

Once at Lismore Espirit the Elan 410 had slightly gapped the fleet with the rest chasing hard. As the fleet entered the Sound of Mull the wind went on the nose and a beat into 8/12knots of breeze ensued. As the fleet headed North Bragar the 33.7 and Celtic Spirit X332 began to pull ahead reading the shifts well, hotly chased by Class 1. In Class 3 a battle was going on with a number of boats cross tacking from Maggie may to Misty and Storm Free. With the wind forecast to drop the race team shortened the course at the 2nd time gate at Fuinary rock bouy. With the wind dropping and Bragar now leading the fleet nicely the Sound of Mull played its hand and shut down the breeze, leaving Bragar and Roxanne becalmed on the shore just shy of the finish. Tata II the J92 and Shadowfax II First 35 spotted the shut down and headed into the middle of the sound to take advantage of what breeze was left. Tata II took the gun for Line honours and did enough to take the leg out on overall corrected time and claimed the Mishnish bucket.

Rooster Cogburn was second and Shadowfax II third. The wind completely shut down, the heavens opened and it was quite some time for the rest of the fleet to make in to the finish. Bragar took out Class 2, Misty Sadler 34 took out Class 3 and Espirit Class 4.

Saturday dawned with big breeze in the forecast and on the nose for the majority of leg 2. 22/30 knots was the chat on the Tobermory pontoon as yachts started heading out to the start line laid of the entrance to Tobermory bay. First gun off at 0900 and Murray Caldwell's Sea Pickle showed Class 3 a clean pair of heels with a swift kite hoist and cutting the corner under the cliffs. The rest of the classes followed in sequence. Early on, Alision Chadwick's Moody 336 showed its potential in the ever increasing breeze as kites were dropped under Glengorm castle and yachts hardened up onto a fetch towards Caliach point with the Moddy holding its own at the front.

It did not take much longer for Lux the Pogo 12.50 to start motoring on this point of sail and she reached Caliach first and rounded onto a solid beat to Bunessan for the next 20 miles. Shadowfax II, Wookie II the Dufor 40 and Maximoose Maxi1300 were trying to hang on as best they could. At this point the author would like to point out the two J92's who by now probably wished they were wearing wetsuits, sailing a fantastic leg, despite some pretty big offshore conditions. As the race progressed down past Staffa the breeze went up a notch with some teams reporting 30 plus knots. This was clearly suiting the slick team on Ceilidh the Westerly Regatta as they led the charge in Class 2.

As the boats crossed the finish in Bunessan the Maxi1300 Maximoose stormed home to take the Bunessan hall trophy on fasted corrected time overall with chuffed Cameron Still declaring this as the best race of his life. John Fraser's Wookie II took a well sailed second overall on corrected with Shadowfax II remaining consistent with another third Overall. Sadly the conditions on this leg took its toll on Murray Macdonald's Impala 28 Autism on the Water, having sailed a great leg doublehanded and within a mile of Bunessan the mast came down. Quick actions by the race team had the committee boat on the scene promptly and the boat was secured and made safe. We looking forward to seeing AOTW back racing soon.

Sunday dawned with more wind in the forecast, but with a hint of sunshine a classic Ross of Mull surf home was on the cards. The fleet started at 0830 with Class 3 leading the charge out of Bunessan bay under spinnaker. Another fetch quickly followed for a short spell then the boats rounded into the Jewel of the race and the Sound of Iona. The sight of 30 yachts beating in 20knots of breeze, sun out, through this narrow shallow channel is quite a sight to see. Even better if you are on one of the yachts!! As the tricky Torran rocks loomed it was decision time, short tack though the narrow gap rock dodging or take the longer safer route.

The fleet split 50/50 and rejoined on the other side of the rocks with decent swell and a decision as to when to hoist kites with the wind starting to come abeam. Nick Marshall J92 Satisfaction is no stranger to sending it down the Ross of Mull, and was first to pull the trigger closely followed by Shadowfax II. From slightly further back this forced Tata II into a decision also, as by this point there were only a few minutes separating them and Shadowfax II for the race to overall victory. At this point Lux Pogo 12.50 had taken a course offshore in search of optimum send it conditions which paid off with over 19 knots boat speed recorded at one point. As the leg went on more and more boats braved the wind and swell to pop kites and a stunning sail back to Oban ensued.

In Class 3 Hot Toddy was leading the charge, and Class 2 the ever reliable Celtic Spirit was showing the way. As the race entered the sound of Kerrera, a short run followed up the finish. Lux the Pogo had stormed the leg to finish around 40 minutes ahead of the fleet but this would not be enough to stop Satisfaction J92 from taking out the Glencoe Trophy for the overall corrected time leg win. In the battle for the overall honours Shadowfax II had put the hammer down to take second overall on the leg, but it would not be enough to stop Griogair MacFarlane's well sailed J92 Tata II from taking the overall honours by coming third on this leg and claiming the Torran rocks trophy as overall winners of the event. After 3 legs and nearly 100nm the margin would be 117 seconds.

The event does not happen without our sponsors so huge thanks to Owen Sails, Ardfern Yacht Centre, Forteith RHPS, Tobermory Distillery, The Green Shack, Certas Energy and the Majestic line for the stunning committee boat.

Looking for a bucket list race in 2027? Sound of Mull, Staffa, Iona and the Torran rocks, what are you waiting for!