Please select your home edition
Edition

An Intriguing Duel in store for the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series

by Andy Rice 31 Oct 2024 08:07 UTC
Gray and Edwards during the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

With just over three weeks until Event #1 of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, some interesting boats and teams are entering as well as some new sponsors coming on board to make the 16th edition bigger and better than ever...

Entries are already coming in for Event No.1 of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series. Taking place on the weekend of 23 & 24 November, the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash is the first of nine events in this, the 16th edition of the Series.

When you enter two or more events by the start of the Draycote Dash, you will receive a GJW Direct Beanie, great for keeping warm throughout the Winter Series, and a £10 off voucher when you spend over £50 at Sailing Chandlery.

Enter at www.sailjuiceseries.com

With a major clothing brand about to announce its support for this year, word is getting through that there are few better ways to reach the whole of the UK dinghy and small-boat racing scene than through this nine-event circuit which runs from late November through to late February with the main stage prize-giving at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show.

The Sailing Chandlery has become the title sponsor for the second event of the Series in December, what will this year be known as the Sailing Chandlery Datchet Flyer. Other sponsorship and naming opportunities are still available. To find out more while there's still time, contact

Duo between some old rivals

When we say 'old rivals', do we mean two venerable classes - the 470 and Fireball - or do we mean the people set to race them? You be the judge, but the fun and interesting fact is that some past winners of the Series are lining up in opposing yet very similar race craft.

Back in 2011/12, Pete Gray and Rachael Rhodes raced to Series victory in their Scorpion. Pete and Rachael subsequently got married but perhaps wisely the married couple of decided to race in separate boats since then. These days Rachael [now called Gray] races in multiple classes and has won multiple championships crewing for Tom Gillard. Now Tom won the Series in 2012/13 in a Fireball crewed by Simon Potts. But, and I hope you're keeping up, this year Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray are teaming up in a 470 to see if they can continue their winning ways in yet another class.

Meanwhile Pete Gray, who since won another Series title (2022/23) in an Osprey crewed by Geoff Edwards, is now hopping into the back of a Fireball with Richard Pepperdine on the wire. And so the marital battle of the Grays will begin. Will it be superior sailing or a better/worse handicap that wins the day between these two? Will Tom Gillard, as reigning Fireball World Champion, be prepared to share his best tuning tips with Gray and Pepperdine, or will he keep that hard-won edge to himself?

Great Lakes Handicap Numbers

  • 470: 973
  • Fireball: 955

Which means that in a typical 45-minute race, the Fireball will need to finish around a minute ahead of the 470. The race is on!

You can sit back with your popcorn and watch the racing unfold from the comfort of your home thanks to the live SailRacer GPS tracking. Or you could do the hard thing, the better thing, and sign up for the events yourself.

Enter at www.sailjuiceseries.com

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2024/25:

  • Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club
    23 & 24 November 2024
  • Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
    7 & 8 December 2024
  • Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club
    14 December 2024
  • Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club
    27 December 2024
  • Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club
    29 December 2024
  • GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club
    11 January 2025
  • King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
    18 January 2025
  • John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
    1 & 2 February 2025
  • Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
    15 February 2025
  • Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough

You can find out more about the Series here: www.SailJuiceSeries.com

Related Articles

Time to nerd out a bit
Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Possibly a big bit, as it turns out. Anyway, historically we know I am up for it, but how about you? Right oh. Unequivocally, the greater electrification space is not just THE hot topic presently, it also changes at a prodigious rate. Posted on 3 Apr
Top 10 baits from the Harris Chain
While many anglers didn't rely on whole tackle box, a lot of different baits worked for the field The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Southern Division event at the Harris Chain on March 27-29 was dominated by two things: Dylan Quilatan and Lake Apopka. Posted on 3 Apr
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal is reaching significant milestones Big Deal is reaching significant milestones, starting with a major exterior update. Posted on 2 Apr
Nautically inspired jewellery from Angela Lago
Beautifully made nautical-inspired jewellery There's something we all seem to share as true lovers of the sea—especially those of us drawn to the nautical world. It's a deep connection with authenticity, nature, and the undeniable pull of freedom. Posted on 2 Apr
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht Reveal Trailer
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht, a masterpiece that seamlessly combines luxury and innovation Discover the allure of the Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht, a masterpiece that seamlessly combines luxury and innovation. Drawing inspiration from Maritimo's flagship models, this yacht offers a unique blend of elegance and functionality. Posted on 1 Apr
Marine Auctions: April Online Auctions
Bavaria 32 sailing yacht, Williams 36 motor cruiser and much more Up for auction: Bavaria 32 sailing yacht, Williams 36 motor cruiser, Mustang 2800 powerboat, Cobalt 243 cuddy cabin, Monterey 270 cruiser, Arber 9 sailing catamaran, and much more. Posted on 1 Apr
New IGFA Junior Line & Tippet Class World Records
Expanding youth records to celebrate skill, ethics, and conservation IGFA is excited to announce the launch of new Junior Line Class and Junior Tippet Class World Record categories, giving anglers aged 16 and under even more opportunities to be recognized for their achievements on the water. Posted on 1 Apr
Caleb Kuphall's go-to Spinnerbait and Jig Rods
Spinnerbaits and jigs are two of the top presentations in bass fishing Spinnerbaits and jigs are two of the top presentations in bass fishing. Bassmaster Elite and NPFL angler, Caleb Kuphall, discusses the specific Victory and Legend Tournament Bass rod models he relies on for these staple techniques. Posted on 28 Mar
Sailfish techniques for catching mahi mahi
They are found world-wide in temperate offshore waters Dolphin fish, commonly referred to using their Hawaiian name "mahi mahi" to avoid confusion with dolphin mammals ("Flipper"), ranks as one of the most popular fish in the ocean. Posted on 26 Mar
Top 10 baits from Lake Chickamauga
Minnows were the name of the game at Chick, but there were other big players The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division tournament on Lake Chickamauga was a big success, with heavy weights and lots of fish caught. Posted on 26 Mar