420 Gill Xtremity British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club

420 British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry © Jon Cawthorne

The 2025 Gill Xtremity British National Championships marked the season finale for the UK International 420 fleet. Held at Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club, an idyllic coastal venue in Suffolk, the championship combined competitive racing, challenging tidal conditions, and a strong social programme that brought together sailors, families, and spectators alike.

The event opened on Thursday 21st August with a practice race, giving competitors their first taste of the demanding tidal currents at the mouth of the River Deben. The location's unique mix of sea breeze and strong estuarine flow made for an early reminder that both boat speed and tactical acumen would be vital for success.

420 British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry - photo © Jon Cawthorne

Across the championship, sailors enjoyed predominantly sunny weather with occasional cloud cover—true champagne sailing conditions. The breeze typically filled from the sea each day, fluctuating between 7 and 13 knots, and shifting between north-easterly and southerly directions.

Experienced race officer Bob Wainwright aka Arky, had the tricky task of managing both the variable winds and the strong tidal influence. The racecourse, set at the river mouth, gave sailors a tactical challenge and ensured a spectacular view of colourful spinnakers stretching across the horizon—much to the delight of beachgoers and parents with binoculars.

420 British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry - photo © Jon Cawthorne

On-Water Highlights

• Racing was tight throughout the 10-race series, with tactical mark roundings amplified by the shifting current.
• On Saturday, a special "fun race" delighted spectators: the top five sailors from the previous day competed using a graffitied Gill-sponsored jib in a Lamont-style windward-leeward sprint held in the channel at high tide. This crowd-friendly race brought the action close to shore, drawing cheers from families lining the sea wall.

Off-Water Activities

Felixstowe Ferry Sailing Club delivered a warm, family-oriented event. Each evening featured dinners, dances, and social gatherings, fostering camaraderie across the fleet. Parents and supporters also enjoyed local diversions, including lawn tennis, cycling, and golf on the neighbouring links course.

Championship Standings

Winners in the 420 British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry - photo © Tim Garrett-Moore

They were briefly challenged by Zac Shepherd and Bea Greenfield, who surged on the final day with a race win, but Potter and Nieuwland responded decisively by closing out the regatta with back-to-back firsts, securing the national title in style.

• 1st Overall and 1st Female boat - Sabine Potter and Merle Nieuwland
• 2nd Overall and 1st Mixed boat - Zac Shepherd and Bea Greenfield
• 3rd Overall and 1st Male boat - Harry George and Ralph Cawthorne
• 10th Overall and 1st U17 Pippa - Shepherd and Lauren Mecklenburgh
• 14th Overall and 1st U15 Rupert - Garlick and Freddie Jones
• 16th Overall and 1st international - Cora McNaughton and Sean Cronin

We were pleased to see boats from Ireland joining our nationals and all the competitors for whom this was their first National 420 Event, hoping to see them at our various GP's and main regattas.

The 2025 Gill Xtremity British Nationals at Felixstowe Ferry delivered everything the 420 class is known for: competitive youth sailing, tactical racing shaped by wind and tide, and a lively community spirit. With sun, sea breeze, and spinnakers painting the skyline, it was a fitting finale to the season—and a championship to remember.

The 2026 Nationals are taking place in Brixham on the 27th to the 31st August 2026.

There is more training and sailing events organise with a Transition weekend on the 13th-14th September in Weymouth and GP2 with the Cadet class held at Queen Mary Sailing Club on the 20-21st September followed by GP3 held at Itchenor Sailing Club on the 27th-28th September.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the 420 nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here