A Sailors Lot

South Windermere Sailing Club is on the move again - gradually going further north

2026-11-12T04:06:42.697+00:00

5 years ago, after over 60 years at its Fell Foot base at the south end of Lake Windermere, SWSC moved a mile or so, into a new site at the YMCA north camp at Lakeside, on the west side of the lake.

The National Trust had developed the Fell Foot site, and the continued operation of the sailing club had become untenable. The new site at the YMCA North Camp had much to offer in comparison. A building to be used as a clubhouse, a boat park, a beach and a jetty. A seemingly enthusiastic and cooperative landlord. The future looked great. Members came together. Many working parties later the building was converted to a clubhouse, a new jetty installed, entrance roads built, boat park sorted. An initial 5 year lease was signed, with a view to extending when the club proved to be great tenant.

And then 2 years into the lease a bombshell. The YMCA put the site up for sale. Another big effort was started, this time paper based, looking into raising money to buy the land the club was on (a small part of the overall North Camp site). But before any money could be raised, a sale was agreed with a developer, planning to put holiday lodges on the site. South Lakes council saw sense and blocked the plan, the sale collapsed, but quickly another company moved in to buy the site. They have never publicised their plans for the site, but made it very clear they didn't include SWSC, and the tenancy would not be renewed.

SWSC then had until the lease expires December 2026 to find a new site and move, or cease to exist. Access to Lake Windermere is very restricted, launching spots few and far between, and sites to move a sailing club to almost impossible to find. That didn't stop the committee looking at every opportunity, every field or forest with lake access. Then an amazing opportunity came to light. Just slightly further to the north, on the east bank, is Tower Wood Outdoor Education Centre, owned and operated by Lancashire County Council. After some discussion the head of the centre came up with a plan to accommodate SWSC, including enough space for a boat park, a club room, changing facilities, race office, great launching etc. The club obviously grabbed this lifeline.

As this is still an active education centre there are restrictions of course. But it enables the club to continue operating with its ethos of introducing people to sailing and its comprehensive race programme. The launching is great, and the lake here is wide, with better winds than further to the south. Win Win.

It's not easy to move a sailing club (again), so a huge amount of effort will be required over the coming months. But the club has a Dunkirk spirit, and this weekend an armada of small boats will be crossing the lake, loaded with club kit. The floating jetty towed over, acting as a barge carrying trollies. Everything else will be driven round. The club will commence operation in early spring 2027.

If you want to be part of a club with an indomitable spirit, join us at SWSC.

www.swsailing.co.uk

Sailing gives visually impaired child 'another sense of life'

2026-11-11T03:07:04.006+00:00

When Tadiwa was just one years old, he was diagnosed with a brain tumour.

His mother, Vennisa, had noticed he was losing weight, and after he was eventually sent for an MRI scan, doctors discovered he had Optic Pathway Glioma, which cannot be removed.

Since then, the 12-year-old from Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, has undergone countless hospital appointments, chemotherapy and proton beam therapy, which he says led to missing "so many birthdays" and leaving him visually impaired.

But it has not diminished his positivity, and since he was eight, with the help of the BBC's Children in Need, he has attended specialist sailing lessons with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, giving him "another sense of life", he says.

Since he was introduced to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, he has gone every year.

"I was so scared; it was like stepping into a whole new world," Tadiwa says.

"It has helped me get another sense of life, given me a sense of belonging.

"The hospital was my second home; I lived there, I've been through so much, I'm just shocked I'm here."

He says it is "amazing" that the tumour is now under control, but his eyesight will be impacted forever.

"Life is short, and you should just live it," he adds.

He says sailing has also brought him many new friends.

"Everyone is in the same boat as you - literally," he jokes.

Vennisa adds: "We are so proud of him; he's such a resilient boy, he's so happy".

"He's the one who's kept us going."

Solo class prepares for the culmination of a Season Of Determination

2026-11-10T05:28:55.290+00:00

We are just one week away from the culmination of a Season Of Determination (SOD), commitment and injury prevention, twenty three qualifiers holding four scores are already assured of their lucky ticket in the prize draw for a huge discount on a new North sail while a further twenty can add their names to the President's hat of destiny if they post a score at the End of Season showdown (EOS).

All eyes will be on the weather platforms as the days countdown to Saturday November 14th, no wind and Lucas seals a season of triumphs with a sweet looking trophy which will look good in his rear view mirror as he goes home though I am sure he would prefer to win by knockout. If the wind blows across Draycote (the platform guru is currently indicating that pressure will arrive towards the end of the weekend but it always comes early) then he may want to consider some match racing tactics, taking Davenport down the fleet is easier to type than to actually do but it would make great entertainment, I would suggest his Dad Dave stands next to the club defibrillator.

Should Davenport get the chance to stretch his torso over the side and foot-off then that will be that, there is no shame in second place other than the personal hell and life-long torture failure inflicts. Oliver is developing into one of the Solo greats and his performances in any sort of fresh breeze have been blistering in speed and calm in execution. Maybe it is a generational thing and while I do not advocate alcoholism I still merit the ability to perform while totally hammered and if he is to reach the bar set by Geoff Carveth, Martin Payne, Ian Walters, Jim Hunt and Andy Davis then he needs to drop the Shandy.

I am only joking though and the modern Solo sailors are athletes, the raked rig demanding either a high level of agility or a helmet, the centreboard capping necessitating hip and knee mobility beyond ninety degrees and the 70 kg hulls demanding the stamina of a three Peaks runner post race.

It would be rude not to mention some of the other notable prospects and Chris Brown (North Sails F4 power unit) has nothing to lose in fourth, even a bullet will not improve his overall position but that makes him dangerous for the event win while North Sails Super Series sponsor have activated Tom Gillard (North aramid), his mission, should he choose, to take the win and move him into the top three, possibly taking away some of the glory from Harry in the HD powered Winder or Davenport in the Davenport Sails powered Solo. Butler favours the North Sails P4 power unit so expect them to play nicely should they both contest the lead.

Guy Mayger in his Boatyard at Beer, HD powered Solo (Nation's Cup Champion) and Andrew Wilde (North P3, Inland Champion) can still have a say in the race to the podium which, as I write this is getting very crowd are our event sponsor and a huger thank you in advance for your support of the Solo in this spectacular 70th Anniversary year.

Harken are our event sponsor and a huger thank you in advance for your support of the Solo in this spectacular 70th Anniversary year.

North Sails have been the Super Series sponsor since it's inception and we thank you, remembering the delight on those lucky buggers who won a new North sail still warms my cockles.

Draycote Water is a fabulous venue (Inland Championship venue 2027) and the race team are always on-point (commentator's curse) so why not hitch up your Solo one more time this season for the final event of 2026.

Enter now and be part of the story.

www.solosailing.org.uk

RS Aero European Championship 2027 set for Dun Laoghaire, Ireland

2026-11-09T06:08:31.656+00:00

The International RS Aero Class is delighted to announce the 2027 RS Aero European Championship will take place at The National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland, from 27-30 August 2027.

Set against the spectacular backdrop of Dublin Bay, the championship promises four days of high-quality racing, a world-class sailing venue and a warm Irish welcome to sailors from across Europe and beyond.

Charter boats will be available from RS Sailing, making the European championship more accessible to international competitors and those who would prefer to travel without their own boat. Further information on charter availability and bookings opening will be announced in due course.

Alex Newton-Southon, Managing Director of RS Sailing, said: "The RS Aero European Championship at Dun Laoghaire is already shaping up to be one of the highlights of our 2027 calendar. After kicking off the year with the World Championship in Australia in January 2027, it's fantastic to have such an exciting European championship to look forward to later in the summer.

"The RS Aero fleet continues to grow internationally, and events like this bring together everything we love about the class: close, competitive racing, a welcoming global community and fantastic venues. With charter boats available, we hope to see sailors from across the world joining the fleet in Ireland. We can't wait to see everyone on the start line!"

Save the date

2027 RS Aero European Championship

Dates: 27-30 August 2027

Location: The National Yacht Club, Dun Laoghaire, Dublin, Ireland

Charter boats: Will be available from RS Sailing Club

Notice of Race and entries: Expected to open in January 2027 Sailors are encouraged to save the date and stay tuned to RS Aero and RS Sailing social media for further announcements covering entry details, charter boats, ferry discounts, accommodation, sponsors and the shoreside social programme.

The Scaramouche Sailing Trust Launches Search for First Director

2026-11-09T06:04:25.599+00:00

The Scaramouche Sailing Trust is seeking their first Director to lead the charity through its next evolutionary chapter.

The new Director will be a visible advocate for the Trust, a champion for inclusion in sailing and an inspirational leader for the team. The mission is clear: to create life changing opportunities for young people from diverse backgrounds through the power of sailing.

The Director will provide executive leadership across all areas of their work. They will sustain the remarkable Greig City Academy (GCA) sailing programme and use it to inspire others, collaborating with partners in the sailing world to scale up impact and developing the organisation.

Alex Jacobs, Chair of the Board of Trustees, says: "We are excited for the future and are ready to recruit our first Director. We have come a long way from when we set the charity up in 2019 to support GCA's trailblazing sailing programme. We have been on an incredible journey with the generosity of donors who make everything possible. We are extremely grateful and take our responsibility very seriously to make the best use of every pound that is donated. We now need to invest in our lean organisation as a regulated charity and look forward to working with partners to support more young people to get on the water."

To find out more about this new leadership opportunity, the Scaramouche Sailing Trust encourages you to visit their website and download the Job Description for details of the role and how to apply.

Key dates:

Application Deadline: 30th November 2026

Interviews in London Friday 8th January 2027

Contact Lucy Markby, the Scaramouche Sailing Trust's Development Manager if you have any questions: lucy@scaramouchesailing.org.uk

A fantastic and busy summer for GP Watercraft

2026-11-08T06:51:57.778+00:00

It's been a fantastic summer for GP Watercraft, with a busy calendar of international championships, junior and youth coaching, and plenty happening behind the scenes as our retail business continues to grow. From coaching sailors at major international events to supporting the next generation of young racers, we've enjoyed being part of some brilliant sailing moments over the past few months.

Our international coaching programme took us to Los Angeles for the ILCA North American Championships, where we worked with Bermuda's Adriana Penruddocke and German Olympian Julia Büsselberg. Both sailors put in strong performances to qualify for Gold fleet against a competitive international field. July brought more great news, with Adriana securing Bermuda's qualification for the Pan American Games at the Olympic Classes Regatta. She followed this up with a fantastic result in August, taking gold in the ILCA 6 at the Central American and Caribbean Games.

August also saw us working with Matteo Bertacchi at the ILCA 7 World Championships. After a tough qualifying series, Matteo bounced back brilliantly to win Silver fleet, finishing 48th overall out of 141 competitors. The international racing continued into September at the ILCA 6 Women's World Championships, where Adriana once again delivered a strong performance. Competing in Gold fleet against some of the best sailors in the world, she finished an impressive 40th overall from 109 competitors. It's been great to see the hard work these sailors put into their training translate into results on the international stage, and we're proud to have played a part in their journeys.

While international racing has kept us busy, supporting junior and youth sailors remains a huge part of what we love doing at GP Watercraft. Our summer coaching calendar included Kiel Week in Germany, followed by the Topper World and National Championships.

We had the pleasure of coaching and supporting six sailors at the Topper Worlds and ten at the Topper Nationals, with some brilliant performances and plenty of valuable racing experience gained along the way. Closer to home, we were involved in ILCA UK Skills Week at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), helping sailors build their confidence, improve their boat handling and sharpen their racing skills.

We also headed north to Largs for the Scottish ILCA Skills Week, organised by RYA Scotland. It was great to be involved in an initiative aimed at making performance coaching more accessible to sailors across Scotland, giving more people the opportunity to develop their skills and enjoy competitive racing. One of the most rewarding parts of coaching is seeing sailors grow in confidence and ability, whether they're preparing for their first major championship or working towards competing at the highest level. Being able to support sailors at so many different stages of their development is something we're particularly proud of.

It's not just been a busy summer on the water! Behind the scenes, our retail business has continued to grow, helping sailors get their hands on the clothing and equipment they need to make the most of their time racing. Our relationship with Zhik continues to grow stronger and we've been expanding our range of technical sailing clothing and accessories. Whether you're training through the winter or preparing for a major championship, having the right kit can make all the difference.

We've also seen plenty of demand for ILCA sails, masts and spares, particularly in the build-up to the ILCA UK National Championships, as sailors got their boats ready for racing. What we really enjoy about combining coaching with retail is being able to bring our experience from the racecourse into the advice we give our customers. We're out on the water working with sailors throughout the season, so we understand how important it is to have equipment you can rely on.

Whether you're looking to upgrade your sailing kit, replace a few essential ILCA parts or get ready for your next championship, we're always happy to help.

You can explore our growing range of Zhik clothing, ILCA sails, masts and spares at www.gpwatercraft.co.uk, or get in touch with the team for advice.

As the summer season draws to a close, we're already looking forward to what promises to be an exciting winter at GP Watercraft. With more coaching opportunities ahead, plenty of sailing to look forward to and continued plans to develop our retail range, we're excited to keep building on what has been a fantastic few months. A big thank you to all the sailors, families, clubs and partners who have supported us throughout the summer. It's been a pleasure working with so many of you, and we're looking forward to seeing what the winter season brings!

RS Sailing Secures Long-Term Investment for next stage of global expansion

2026-11-08T06:48:43.347+00:00

RS Sailing has secured a significant long-term investment from two marine-industry heavyweights, providing funds for the next stage of their global expansion, with the same team, boats and UK production retained.

Swedish marine investor Fredriksborgs Förvaltnings AB and the owners of Rototek Ltd have joined forces to back the UK sailboat manufacturer, Fredriksborgs is an investment company with a portfolio of established marine businesses. The owners of Rototek Ltd are also well-known to the industry, having manufactured RS hulls for more than 25 years.

The backing follows RS’s move to formalize the RS Marine Group in January 2026, bringing together RS Sailing, RS Electric Boats, Cheetah Marine and Ocean Play under shared business functions. The funding round Investment Terms were not disclosed.

Alex Newton-Southon, RS Sailing Managing Director, acknowledged that it had been a challenging period, and thanked their suppliers for their support and understanding.

“This is strong, long-term backing from people who understand our industry and our heritage. Rototek have built our boats for a quarter of a century and Fredriksborgs brings deep marine experience and a genuine love of sailing.”

RS Sailing designs racing, training and adventure dinghies for every stage of the sailing journey, with more than 40,000 boats on the water and 15 active racing classes worldwide.

Entries open for Royal Escape Race's 50th Anniversary celebration

2026-11-08T06:44:16.557+00:00

Sussex Yacht Club has officially opened entries for the 2027 Royal Escape Race, inviting sailors to be part of a landmark year as the historic Brighton-to-Normandy offshore race celebrates its 50th anniversary.

One of the South Coast's most distinctive and long-running sailing events, the Royal Escape Race has challenged and inspired generations of sailors with its unique cross-Channel passage.

The 2027 race will be a particularly special occasion, marking 50 years since the event was first established in 1977. Sussex Yacht Club is inviting entries from across the UK and beyond to be part of this milestone anniversary edition, with ambitions to make it one of the biggest and most memorable races in its history.

Organised by Sussex Yacht Club in partnership with Société des Régates de Fécamp in France, the Royal Escape Race sees a fleet of yachts set off from Brighton's Palace Pier to tackle the historic cross-Channel passage from Brighton to the Normandy port of Fécamp.

The race combines competitive offshore sailing with a fascinating connection to British history. It commemorates the dramatic escape of King Charles II in 1651, following his defeat at the Battle of Worcester. Having made his way to Shoreham-by-Sea, the future king crossed the Channel aboard the coal brig 'Surprise', eventually reaching safety in Fécamp. Following the restoration, Chales II renamed the vessel 'HMY Royal Escape', giving the race its name.

First established to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee, the race has developed into an established fixture on the offshore sailing calendar, bringing together generations of competitors and fostering a lasting relationship between the sailing communities of Sussex and Normandy.

The 2027 anniversary year will provide an opportunity to celebrate the memorable moments that have shaped the event over five decades and Sussex Yacht Club is encouraging past competitors, new entrants and the wider sailing community to be part of the anniversary celebrations.

Robin Stevenson, Commodore of Sussex Yacht Club, said: "Fifty years is an extraordinary achievement for any sailing event, and we're incredibly proud of the Royal Escape Race and everyone who has helped make it what it is today.

"What began in 1977 as a celebration of a remarkable piece of British history has grown into an established fixture on the offshore sailing calendar, bringing together sailors from across the UK and France.

"We want 2027 to be a very special year. It's an opportunity to celebrate the race's history, recognise the people who have supported it over the years and encourage a new generation of sailors to experience the challenge and camaraderie of racing across the Channel. We'd love to see a strong fleet on the start line as we mark this milestone."

As preparations for 2027 get under way, Sussex Yacht Club hopes the anniversary year will bring together past and present competitors, celebrate the race's long-standing links between Sussex and Normandy, and inspire more sailors to take on the challenge in the years ahead.

To mark its 50th anniversary, Sussex Yacht Club is offering a special commemorative entry ticket priced at £110, which is available until 31 December 2026.

To get your entry or for further information and updates, visit: sussexyachtclub.org.uk/royal-escape-race

Further details of the 2027 programme, including special anniversary activities and entry arrangements, will be announced in due course.

Sicily Sailing Adventure

2026-11-07T02:31:46.359+00:00

Sicily is a fantastic destination for a seven-day sailing adventure. You have spectacular coastline, beautiful islands, ancient Greek and Roman history, traditional fishing villages, excellent food and wine, and some wonderful places to explore ashore.

My recommendation would be a seven-day sailing adventure along Sicily's northern coastline. This gives you a lovely mixture of sailing, swimming, picturesque harbours, volcanoes, walking, sightseeing and Italian cuisine.

I would suggest a relaxed itinerary rather than trying to circumnavigate the entire island in just seven days, which would iinvovle quite long sailing days and leave less time to explore.

Starting and finishing at Portorosa Marina, on Sicily's north-eastern coast.

Day 1 – Portorosa to Vulcano

About 19 nautical miles

- Collect the yacht, provision and set sail.

- Anchor or moor at Porto di Levante.

- Visit the volcanic mud baths and black-sand beaches.

- Enjoy dinner ashore overlooking the harbour.

Day 2 – Vulcano to Lipari

About 3 nautical miles

- A leisurely morning swim and breakfast aboard.

- Sail across to Lipari.

- Explore the old town, castle and archaeological museum.

- Enjoy an evening in Marina Corta, with its lovely restaurants and waterfront bars.

Day 3 – Lipari to Salina

About 10–14 nautical miles

- Sail to the green and fertile island of Salina.

- Visit the village of Santa Marina.

- Hire scooters or take a walk through the countryside and vineyards.

- Enjoy a wine tasting featuring the famous local Malvasia wine.

- Swim in the beautiful bay of Pollara.

Day 4 – Salina to Panarea

About 11 nautical miles

- Sail to the beautiful little island of Panarea.

- Explore Cala Junco, one of the prettiest swimming bays.

- Take a walk through the whitewashed village.

- Enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant.

- Spend the evening enjoying the island's lively atmosphere.

Day 5 – Panarea to Stromboli

About 13 nautical miles

- Sail towards the spectacular island of Stromboli.

- Visit the village of San Vincenzo.

- Take an organised guided volcano walk, subject to current access restrictions and volcanic activity.

- Alternatively, enjoy a boat excursion to view the volcano from the sea.

- Watch the dramatic volcanic glow after sunset from a permitted safe distance.

Day 6 – Stromboli to Salina, then Vulcano

Allow a longer sailing day

- Sail back towards Salina, enjoying the scenery and a swimming stop.

- Have lunch ashore or aboard.

- Continue towards Vulcano, depending on conditions and the skipper's judgement.

- Enjoy a final evening in the islands.

Day 7 – Vulcano to Portorosa

About 19 nautical miles

- Enjoy a final morning swim.

- Sail back to Sicily.

- Return the yacht to Portorosa.

- Celebrate a wonderful week with a farewell Sicilian dinner.

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Cadet Open 2026 at Waldringfield Sailing Club

2026-11-06T03:53:50.488+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gold Fleet

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

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

3rd overall: Lewis Walker & Issy Stock

Silver Fleet

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

2nd Silver: Zoe Thomas & Lisa Gass

3rd Silver: Ella Edwards & Edith Pynn

Other Awards

1st WSC Non-Travelling: Rosemary Fish

Under-13: Ollie Walker

Regatta Fleet

1st: Clementine Denny-Pickess & Rose Lowe

2nd: Camille Ballam & Isla Robson

3rd: Vivienne Letts & Evie Owers

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

Halloween Spooks the Young Guns at Chipstead Sailing Club

2026-11-06T03:50:34.105+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Prizewinners:

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

2nd overall - Mim

3rd overall - Alexander

2nd girl - Beatrice

3rd boy - Will WO

3rd girl - Amy

Highest placed in fancy dress - Aidan & Honor

1st Club Oppie - Monty

1st club Topper - Izzy

1st rookie - Aisling

2nd rookie - India Rose

3rd rookie - Astrid

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

2026-11-05T06:54:33.484+00:00

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

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

What's new for 2027

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

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

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

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

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

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

A show for everyone who loves life on the water

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

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

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

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

Get your tickets today

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

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

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

2027 Fireball Nationals to be held at Saundersfoot

2026-11-05T06:51:55.461+00:00

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

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

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

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

More details will be released in due course.

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

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

2026-11-04T04:52:35.307+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Upcoming Events & Host Opportunities:

Next Session: Delph Sailing Club - 12th December

Booking: Visit ILCA UK Events to secure your spot

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

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

Salcombe Yacht Club Winter Series 2026 - Race 1

2026-11-04T04:49:46.846+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Forestay versus Backstay - The Key to Upwind Performance

2026-11-03T05:52:14.751+00:00

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

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

Forestay tension:

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

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

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

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

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

Backstay tension:

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

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

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

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

Understanding the balance: Why measure both?

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

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

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

Explore further

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

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

Or find the right Cyclops sensor for your boat.

Allen SuperSouth Topper Championships 2026 at Poole Yacht Club

2026-11-02T05:29:09.846+00:00

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

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

Saturday - Race 1

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

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

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

Saturday - Race 2

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

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

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

Saturday - Race 3

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

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

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

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

Sunday - Race 4

Sunday was even windier, making the racing really difficult.

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

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

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

Overall Results:

Topper 5.3

Alfie Tollit

Xander Collins-Black

Brooke Browning

Leo Kaneko

Harry MacLeod

Topper 4.2

Emily Doughty

Isaac Prue

Oak Hickman

Sophie Elliott

Jonathon Pendle

Brooke Browning also finished first female in the 5.3 fleet.

Thank You!

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

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

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

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

Oliver Davenport Wins Solo Midland Area Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

2026-11-02T05:26:14.611+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Overall Results:

Pos Helm Boat Name Sail No R1 R2 Pts

1 Oliver Davenport 1 1 1 2

2 Jasper Barnham Mrs Jones 5887 5 2 7

3 Jamie Cuxson 5704 2 5 7

4 Andrew Wilde Solo 6125 6 3 9

5 Michael Sims 6128 3 7 10

6 Harry Lucas S5746 5746 7 4 11

7 Vincent Horey Peppermint Patty 6134 4 8 12

8 Chris Brown cb dinghy chanderly 6148 6141 8 6 14

9 Camron Griffin Norris 4448 10 9 19

10 Chris Bunn 6138 9 11 20

11 Ian Norris X‑Why 4434 11 10 21

12 Andy Beston Solo 5533 12 12 24

13 Maria Franco 6013 6013 13 13 26

14 Thomas Gillard ‑ 6141 DNC DNC 32

14 Stephen Dickinson Rocket 5721 DNC DNC 32

Rutland Sailing Club to host International Inclusive Keelboat Championship

2026-11-01T11:39:42.608+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Largs Yacht Haven nominated for Marina of the Year award

2026-11-01T11:36:29.847+00:00

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

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

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

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

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

Santorini Sailing Adventure

2026-10-31T07:00:11.698+00:00

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

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

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

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

The day-by-day programme

Day 1 – Santorini and the volcanic caldera

- Collect the yacht at Vlychada Marina.

- Sail along the spectacular volcanic coastline.

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

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

Day 2 – Thirasia

- Short sail to the quieter island of Thirasia.

- Explore Manolas village, with its traditional whitewashed houses.

- Walk up to the village viewpoints.

- Lunch at a traditional Greek taverna.

- Afternoon swimming and snorkelling in a sheltered bay.

Day 3 – Ios

- Sail to Ios and anchor or berth at Gialos.

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

- Explore the shops and cafés.

- Visit Mylopotas Beach for swimming and watersports.

- Dinner in Chora overlooking the island.

Day 4 – Sikinos

- Sail to this quieter, less-developed island.

- Visit the beautiful hilltop village of Kastro.

- Explore the traditional lanes and churches.

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

- Spend the afternoon swimming in clear water.

Day 5 – Folegandros

- Sail to Folegandros.

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

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

- Enjoy a leisurely lunch and browse the boutiques.

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

Day 6 – Anafi

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

- Explore Chora and its traditional Greek architecture.

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

- Enjoy a final island lunch and a relaxing swim.

- Overnight in a suitable sheltered anchorage or harbour.

Day 7 – Return to Santorini

- Sail back to Santorini.

- Enjoy a final swim and lunch on board.

- Return to Vlychada Marina.

- Finish with a special farewell dinner overlooking the caldera.

When to go

My preference would be June or September:

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

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

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

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

2026-10-30T06:59:01.610+00:00

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

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

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

Enter Early, Get a Free Windie Race Timer

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

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

Here's what to do:

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

Enter online by 19 November 2026

Receive your free Windie Race Timer

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

Enter now at www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Your Own Race Within the Race

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

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

Rankings are available for:

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

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

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

Forces Challenge: for eligible competitors associated with the Armed Forces

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 13 February 2027

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

Find out more about the Series www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Sailing a Topper Across the English Channel for Cancer Research UK

2026-10-29T07:23:40.392+00:00

15 year old Faith Turner has sailed her Topper from Dover to Cap Gris Nez, in a record time, fund raising for Cancer Research UK.

The crossing time of 2 hours and 56 minutes is faster than the previous record set for a solo dinghy, in an International Moth!

It was an idea that Faith had one cold winter night during a sailing training weekend last December tucked up in the family motorhome. To see that turn into a reality and the lengths her support crew worked towards it in order to make it happen has been incredible; it was months and months in the planning. Her parents are forever grateful for a moment in time that will live with Faith and everyone forever.

More importantly her challenge and experience contributes a significant donation to help beat cancer and save lives. The donation link will remain live until Channel 4 have aired their documentary about the crossing.

You can donate at fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/faith-sails-to-france-in-a-topper

and see how the total is creeping upwards; currently the £6000+ will become £8000 when Gift Aid is added.

Thank you to the Port of Dover for amazing support in helping make it happen.

When asked how the day went, Faith had this to say: "I faced many challenges along the way such as having to avoid ferries, warships and cargo ships which was difficult in the giant waves. I have never sailed with such big waves and once I got the hang of surfing them, they were no longer as big and scary and more fun as I was going average 8-9 knots.

"In order to get the world record, I had to get out of my boat and touch the French land which was very difficult because the waves were crashing onto me and rocks were either side of me so it was extremely difficult to get back in the boat and get sailing again but I managed to do that without drifting onto the rocks.

"I would like to thank all my sponsors; XB44, Saxon Air, Rooster Sailing, Performance Sailcraft Europe, GP Watercraft.

Brixham Marina shortlisted for Marina of the Year

2026-10-29T07:16:29.593+00:00

Brixham Marina is in the running for Marina of the Year at the British Yachting Awards 2026. The MDL Marinas site is among the nominees in an award decided entirely by public vote, with voting open until 7 November 2026.

Located within Brixham’s fishing harbour on the South Devon coast, the marina provides a base for exploring the ‘English Riviera’ and cruising further afield in the South West.

The awards cover marinas, boats, brands and people in the UK boating sector. Last year, they attracted more than 12,000 votes.

“We’re incredibly proud to see Brixham Marina nominated for Marina of the Year,” says Sophie Kirkpatrick, head of sales & marketing at MDL Marinas.

“It’s a great achievement for the team and reflects the dedication that goes into maintaining the high standards we strive for across our marinas. With the winner decided by public vote, we hope everyone who knows Brixham will get behind the team and show their support.”

Martyn Sherratt, marina manager at Brixham Marina, adds: “It’s fantastic to see Brixham Marina receive this nomination. Our team takes great pride in looking after our berth holders and making sure everyone who visits feels welcome. Brixham is a special place to berth, and the community here plays a big part in that.”

MDL says it continues to invest in customer facilities across its marina network. Brixham is part of that UK network, giving berth holders access to facilities and cruising destinations along the South Coast and beyond.

K6 Travellers Trophy 2026 Finale at Carsington Sailing Club

2026-10-28T05:27:47.131+00:00

Carsington Water under clear blue sky and a strong northerly wind greeted the seven K6s entered for this final event of the 2026 season. The picture book setting and sunshine belying the biting wind temperature.

Despite the low water level, the main body of water was sailable, luckily accessed via a deep but narrow channel from the shore. Helpfully the Club had laid on a number of RIBs to support competitors off the jetty and along the channel.

Six races scheduled over the two days. With the forecast showing two days of the northerly, the fleet were set for perfect conditions sailing the long length of the reservoir.

Race 1. Locals Richard Harvey, Kate Franklin and Stuart Harvey (K6 216) and Toby and Mark Woodings (K6 165) led off the start on a long starboard tack up the reservoir, followed by George Barker and Audrey Graham (K6 197), Thomas and Pauline Woodings (K6 135), Mike Deane and Eddie Waring (K6 119) and Mike Kneale and Kath Simpson (K6 231). John Tabor and James Bennett (K6 122) had a rudder stock issue and did not start.

Towards the top of the course, the wind was quite shifty so a number of tacks were needed to reach the windward mark lay line. Rounding the top mark with no change in the order the race became a procession as the top three pulled away from the fleet over the remaining four laps.

Race 2, four laps. Clean start. Team Harvey and Toby and Mark taking the top two positions at the windward mark. Team Barker and Team Tabor had a number of close crossings up the course closely followed by Thomas and Pauline. Close racing continued with these three boats to the final leeward mark when Thomas and Pauline just got inside George and Audrey to claim fourth behind Team Tabor in third.

Race 3, three laps under continuing wind and late afternoon sun. Team Harvey showing consistent speed leading once more chased home by George and Audrey with Team Tabor in third just ahead of Toby and Mark.

Sunday, race 4. Same conditions, same course. With three wins Team Harvey was one short of securing the win overall. From the start they pulled out a lead on the first beat, followed by Toby and Mark, George and Audrey and John and James. That set the tone for the race with the order remaining to the finish, giving Team Harvey the overall win. However with just two points separating Team Woodings and George and Audrey in second and third there were still podium places to contest.

Race 5. Clean start. Toby and Mark made an excellent start pulling away from the fleet. At the top mark they had a good lead with Team Harvey in second chased by George and Audrey. The order remained the same to the finish. The win took Team Woodings four points clear from George and Audrey as they looked to secure second place.

Race 6 Final race and another good start by Team Harvey. George and Audrey in second and Team Woodings in third. The wind shifts requiring a number of tacks to reach the windward mark. Team Tabor came under some pressure from Tom and Pauline but managed to pull away as the race progressed. At the front, Team Harvey secured the win with George and Audrey chasing hard in second and Team Woodings in third.

A really good event in great conditions. Notables in the fleet were Mike Kneale and Kath Simpson (K6 231) competing at their first K6 event. Huge thanks go to Carsington SC and its volunteer teams for making the event so enjoyable, to the race officer and his team for setting a great course and surviving the chilly wind! And to Richard Harvey for using his car to tow the boats up the steep slipway at the end of each day, good work Richard!

The event was the final round of 2026 Travellers Trophy, with double points available. The trophy was presented to the overall winner, George Barker with 114 points from four events, ahead of Mike Deane with 95 points from five events.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 Net

1 216 Richard Harvey Kate + Stuart Carsington 1 1 1 1 ‑2 1 5

2 165 Toby Mark Woodings Carsington 2 2 ‑4 2 1 3 10

3 197 George Barker Audrey Graham Oxford 3 ‑5 2 3 3 2 13

4 122 John Tabor James Bennett Oxford (DNC) 3 3 4 4 4 18

5 135 Thomas and Pauline Woodings Carsington 4 4 ‑6 5 5 5 23

6 119 Mike Deane Eddie Waring South Windermere 5 6 6 ‑7 6 6 28

7 231 Mike Kneale Kath Simpson Bala 6 ‑7 7 6 7 7 33