Please select your home edition
Edition

RYA National Match Racing Series 2025 - Qualifier 2

by British Keelboat Sailing 19 Feb 14:39 UTC 15-16 February 2025

The second qualifier of the RYA National Match Racing Series 2025 saw two days of close racing hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club in London.

Five teams competed in the club's Sonar keelboats at Queen Mary Reservoir over the weekend (15-16 February) with a range of conditions to test tactics and boat handling.

While some sailors were old hands at match racing, there were also new faces giving it a go, with light winds on the Saturday enabling everyone to get up to speed in the Sonars.

It allowed for some tight racing, with plenty of penalties and place-changes along the way, and a full day saw the teams content to return to shore at the end of flight 12 after 11 races each.

Debrief

Event director Jack Fenwick said: "We had a really good debrief for the sailors after the racing on Saturday going through the different 'what ifs' from the day, covering all the rules that had been in play and how to better understand and use them in the future.

"Sunday again saw the racing start bang on time and we had more breeze, up to 11-12 knots at times, so it was a bit more challenging for the sailors, and we had even tighter racing. Teams were pushing hard around the racetrack to make sure they were in the lead or get rid of penalties they'd taken, with places changing in some races right at the finish line.

"It was great to see both experienced match racers, and those who are new to it, making the most of weekend. The whole event had a really positive vibe."

Teamwork

A total of five round robins were raced and Julian Fung sailing with Matt Wright, Dom Williams and Alice Smith - who are all friends from team racing together throughout their university years at Imperial College in London - claimed victory winning 15 races out of 20.

Commenting on their weekend, team skipper Julian said: "The weekend was fantastic with champagne conditions and lots of racing, with my personal favourite moment of the weekend being our bowman falling in backwards during a hoist, though he probably disagrees.

"What we felt worked well for us was clear communication during manoeuvres especially in the pre-start to gain an advantage off the line, then managing risk on the beat to consolidate our position especially in the shifty conditions we had at Queen Mary."

Top three:

1st Julian Fung, Matt Wright, Dom Williams, Alice Smith
2nd Christian Huelss, Rosie Povall, Felix Trattner
3rd Ollie Leeson, Thalya Ambroziak, Jonathan Redfern, Ollie Payne

The season now continues with the BUCS/BUSA University Match Racing Championships at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), 28-30 March 2025 (entry through BUCS).

Entry is also open for the RYA Harken Youth Match Racing Championship (28 - 29 June) and RYA Marlow Ropes Women's Match Racing Championship (13-14 September), both at WPNSA.

For teams wanting to learn or refresh their match racing and keelboat skills, RYA Match Racing Clinics at the same venue will be taking place 15-16 March & 26-27 April 2025.

Find out more about RYA Match Racing or sign up asap to secure a place for your team at an RYA Match Racing Clinic.

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