Champagne conditions combined with close competition for a memorable British Keelboat League Sailability Championship at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
Nine teams battled it out in classic BKL style with multiple fast and fun races enabling competitors to hone their teamwork, boat handling and tactics across the weekend of 1-2 July 2023.
As the racing became ever tighter, the overall results ended up going right to the wire, with the fathers-and-daughters of Team Goat ultimately claiming victory, just ahead of Blind Sailing's A and B teams, who could only be separated for second and third on countback.
Other teams included a third entry from Blind Sailing, two representing Deaf Sailing UK, Sussex Sailability, and two teams of friends who first met at the Invictus Games in 2018.
The BKL Sailability Championship was organised by the RYA, in conjunction with WPNSA and Chesil Sailability, with racing for teams of four in Elliott 6m keelboats.
Each team did around 10-12 races and it was incredibly competitive. There was one race where four boats finished within four seconds of each other. It got tighter and tighter as the weekend went on and it was amazing to watch.
It was the first time at the event for Deaf Sailing UK, who went home buzzing, not least from winning the penultimate race of the weekend. As the team summed up: "Huge, huge heart-felt thanks to everyone who made this brilliant event possible and very enjoyable. It is such a massive opportunity as well as stepping stone for the participants from Deaf Sailing UK for development and racing in the future.
Take part
If you'd like to find out more about taking part or volunteering, visit RYA Sailability, GBR Blind Sailing or Deaf Sailing UK to explore the opportunities available for getting on the water.
There's also still time to take part in the British Keelboat League! Next up is the qualifier at Royal Corinthian Yacht Club on the east coast - entries are open here - and for all the details about upcoming events visit www.britishkeelboatleague.co.uk
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