Dinghy Racing Reports

2nd May 2026

Warsash Sailing Club hosted its annual Club Championships on Saturday, 2nd May. The variety of conditions and 25 classes of boat across the 64 entries reflected the diversity of sailing available at the club. This event was for the dinghies, with four races taking place in Southampton Water across Fast, Medium, Slow and Junior fleets.

Peter Knight and his experienced race team set a trapezoid course, which provided incredibly close racing. So close in fact that first and second overall in each fleet were to be decided by a single point or on count-back.

The first race started in about 6 knots and glorious sunshine. It seemed that going left upwind paid, which is typically where the leaders emerged from. Races two and three took place in 11-14 knots, providing planing conditions for most boats and making it challenging for the asymmetrics to hold their kites on the reaches. The closely fought racing and proximity to the mouth of the River Hamble provided a great spectacle for the Bank Holiday Weekend traffic, with one spectator quipping that the top reach was like watching a SailGP start.

Mother Nature mixed things up for the fourth and final race, with a bit of much needed liquid refreshment falling from above, killing the breeze for a while. The excitement returned on the sail home with a squall under dramatic skies.

There were smiles all round in the club afterwards for the prize-giving and social. A warm round of applause in recognition of the volunteers’ efforts kicked things off, with another in gratitude for our sponsors; Henri-Lloyd, North Sails and our local chandlery; Xtremity Sports. All had generously provided a variety of prizes for the top three in each fleet and spot prizes besides. Thank you.

With the fleet podiums decided, focus turned to hearing who had become the Club Champion of 2026. The numbers were punched into the Warsash supercomputer to determine the fastest boat across all fleets in the last race, based on average lap times. The well-deserved winner and ex-British Sailing Team member was Pete McCoy in his Finn. Only he will know whether this win means more to him than his U23 Finn European Champion title.

Congratulations to the winners, to all who took part and those who worked behind the scenes to put on a great event. Thank you once again to our sponsors for supporting a vibrant club at the mouth of the River Hamble.

Junior Fleet podium:
1st William, Optimist
2nd George, Optimist
3rd Bear, Optimist
Full results

Fast Fleet podium:
1st Tim Norris, RS600
2nd David Swift & Rob Burgess, RS400
3rd Bruce Mills & Andrea Jarman, RS400
Full results

Medium Fleet podium:
1st Merrick Stanley & Victoria Upton, RS200
2nd Pete McCoy, Finn
3rd Martin Hughes, Finn
Full results

Slow Fleet podium:
1st Henry Noel, ILCA 6
2nd Maxwell & Leo, RS Feva
3rd Julie Maidment, Solo
Full results

Overall Warsash SC Club Champion 2026: Pete McCoy, Finn.

We’re just a few days away from one of the highlights of the year for Warsash SC sailors; the Club Championships, which will take place on Saturday 2nd May.

Entries have been flooding in; volunteers have been finalising plans and sorting logistics. Our chef, Billy has been beavering away to ensure we can be fed after the racing, pre-order your food here and the bar is ready to refresh thirsty competitors and their supporters.

Thank you to our sponsors – Henri Lloyd, North Sails and Xtremity Sports – for their generous support and to the volunteers who have stepped forward to help run the event, with particular thanks to Peter Knight and his experienced Race Team.

We’re still looking for a RIB driver and three RIB crews. If you’re available and would like to join the action then please volunteer via the Duty Roster. Thank you.

Key points

Before the event:

• Entries should be completed 48 hours before the event in order to help final preparations
• Order your food by Saturday 10am for the post-racing social
• Familiarise yourself with the Sailing Instructions

On the day:

• Four races for Fast, Medium, Slow and Junior fleets in Warsash SC Bay (formerly Cat Head Bay)
• Briefing at 11:00 in Shore House
• First start at 12:15
• Races run back-to-back
• Prize-giving ASAP after racing
• Food from 17:00
• Social continues into the evening

We know just how many people are looking forward to the friendly, competitive event that the will ultimately crown the Warsash SC Club Champions of 2026. Come and join us!

Evening dinghy racing is back! The Wednesday Series starts on 1st April, followed by the Friday Series on 3rd April.

We already have 74 entries to date – a fantastic number. If you haven’t done so yet, please remember that all boats must be registered for 2026. Follow the instructions and links to the online registration form on the Dinghy Racing website page.

Don’t forget to tally on and off on race day.

We’re looking forward to a great season ahead – see you on the water!