UK Open Challenger Championship 2025 at Rutland Sailing Club

Rory McKinna wins the UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland © James Greenberry

Fifteen sailors gathered at Rutland Sailing Club for the 2025 UK Open Challenger Championship on Friday 12 September. The weather forecasts in the week leading up to the event had suggested that there may be, at worst, no racing or one or more days lost due to strong winds. However, the wind gods smiled and a full series of races was run over the three days.

After lunch and the race briefing, the fleet was launched into a lively south westerly breeze (at least F4 gusting F5). A trapezoid course was laid in front of the clubhouse.

Race 1 saw the win taken by Val Millward (312) with Nick Bett (261) second. This was not unexpected. In the Silver fleet Alan Bradley (315) had his best race to come fifth. It was nearly fourth but Richard (Triff) Triffitt (301) pipped him on the line.

There were a couple of retirements: Syndney Smith (317) had a broken downhaul and mainsheet problems. Marilyn Mills (298) somehow managed to wrap her mainsheet under her rudder and limped home.

Race 2 saw Nick take the win with Duncan Greenhalgh (280) pushing Val down to third. Caz Jerromes (313) headed up the Silver fleet.

A wet and exhausted fleet returned to the shore.

In the early evening there was an uncharacteristically complicated AGM. A request had been received asking if the AGM would be available online and with a few hiccups, this proved to be possible.

UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © James Greenberry

On Saturday morning the wind was still south westerly and initially rather lighter. A trapezoid course was laid towards the church.

Race 3 saw three sailors enter the fray: David Craig (290) had been unable to get away from work for the Friday; Steve Lee (297) had looked at Friday's conditions and made a seamanlike decision that they weren't for him; and Dave Hodson (221), who on Friday had been sailing as buddy for Jack Alderdice (281) rather than sailing his own boat.

Race 3 was a one-two for Rory and Nick. With Caz leading the Silver fleet. Unfortunately Dave had problems with his steering lines and was forced to retire.

Race 4 was another win for Rory but Nick was not far behind. At one point, Triff (on starboard) complained that Val (on port) forced him to bear away. After doing her penalty turn Val claimed the satisfaction of beating Triff by coming third to his fourth. Dave was ninth.

The fleet then came in for lunch. The start of the afternoon session was delayed as the wind veered northwest and a band of rain with some rumbles of thunder passed down the western arm of Rutland Water and over the clubhouse. A magnificent double rainbow appeared.

The mark layers reset the course for the new wind and the fleet was released. Jack was back on the water, this time with John Stokes of Peterborough Sailability as his buddy.

Race 5 saw a one-two for Val and Nick. Rory admitted to making a number of mistakes. He missed out on third because he assumed it would be another three lap race and he failed to notice the "S" flag. He had carefully planned his beat for the next lap and in doing so allowed Triff to cross the line in third leaving him fourth. Dave improved to seventh.

On the final beat to the line Caz and Alan had a near miss caused by Alan's usual gentlemanly behaviour. Caz tacked on to port intending to go behind Alan but Alan slowed down so she could pass in front. Words were exchanged, Alan speeded up and Caz went behind with her windward sponson flying over Alan's stern.

Unfortunately David's outhaul failed and he needed a tow in. It was easy to fix but could not be done in time for him to get out for the next race.

UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © James Greenberry

On the first beat of Race 6 there was a contretemps involving Nick and Val. Nick fluffed a tack when he was stopped by a wave, He went head to wind before falling off on to port tack and nominally creeping forwards. Meanwhile Val was coming along on starboard tack and there was a rat-a-tat-tat as all three of Nick's bows hit Val's port sponson. Fortunately no damage was done.

Nick went off to do his penalty turn which proved to be no easy task. He then had a close encounter with Caz. This was not his race and he limped home with a result to forget. Meanwhile Rory learnt from his mistakes in Race 5 and built up a lead of almost a leg to give him a comfortable win. Val came second and Duncan picked up a useful third. Dave was fifth.

As the afternoon wore on, the wind increased and afterwards numerous sailors commented about the washing machine like qualities of the bottom reach. Both Marilyn and Alan retired. Steve admitted that he was sailing at, or above, his limit and, although she had one of her best races, Diana Faulks (288) was hanging on for dear life, particularly on starboard tack!

So after six races Nick had a slender one point lead over Rory and Val, who were separated on countback. In the Silver fleet Caz was leading Diana with Alan third.

In the evening the fleet gathered for an excellent meal, and much discussion, in the clubhouse.

UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © James Greenberry

Sunday morning dawned with lighter south westerly winds but it was forecast to go southerly and increase. Eleven boats were launched for the last two races: Triff was heading off on holiday. Marilyn and Ray Andrews (226) were exhausted.

The lighter winds saw a shake-up in Race 7 with Steve taking the win. Nick was second and Dave continued with his mathematical progression (ninth, seventh, fifth) with third. Rory was fourth. Nick had a three point advantage going into the last race - victory was getting closer.

At the start of the last race there was something of a kerfuffle between Val and Bex Foulsham (263) which led to them getting entangled in the way only Challengers do. After two laps Nick had built a comfortable lead and was hoping the race would end there. It did not. His hopes were dashed by a substantial wind shift on the final beat which saw him dropping back to seventh.

Had Dave's improvement continued, the race would have been his. Instead Steve was in his element in the lighter winds and took another win. Rory came second and Bex achieved her best result of third.

The prize-giving was presided over by the High Sheriff of Rutland, Richard Chesterfield, resplendent in his "Court Dress" (the sailors were not so smartly attired).

Rory was presented with the Curtis Cup as the new UK champion. Nick was a mere two points behind in second. With four second places in the last five years he is making the position his own. Perhaps next year he will go one better? Val was third and just two points adrift of Nick. These three had a substantial points advantage over the rest of the fleet.

UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © Joanne Lee

In the Silver fleet Caz took the win and the Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup, followed by Diana and Alan. With only one sailor in the Bronze fleet Jack was assured first place and he received the Clyde Cruising Club Quaich. He also beat a number of Silver fleet sailors.

The Dan Newton Cup is awarded to a sailor who "goes above and beyond" in making a contribution to the event. This year it went to Dave Hodson.

Thanks, as ever, to the race officer Richard Johnson and the mark layers (Malcolm McGregor and David Newton), for setting excellent courses and running fair racing. Also to the safety crews and other volunteers who kept everyone safe on and off the water.

Thanks also to our event sponsors. Lands' End (Oakham) for the prizes, Tesco (Oakham) for the prize-giving wine and also to Hugh Campbell for his continued generous support.

UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © James Greenberry

Trophies awarded:

Curtis Cup (1st overall) and Jock Campbell Trophy (best under 30): Rory McKinna
Judi Figgures Trophy (2nd overall) and Jock Campbell Trophy (best over 75): Nick Bett
Prentice Pot (3rd overall): Val Millward
Ayrshire Yeomanry Cup (1st Silver): Caz Jerromes
Rutland Rose Bowl (2nd Silver): Diana Faulks
Model Challenger (3rd Silver): Alan Bradley
Clyde Cruising Club Quaich (1st Bronze): Jack Alderdice
Thames Water Shield (winner of last race): Steve Lee
Silver Piccolo: Duncan Greenhalgh
Dan Newton Cup: Dave Hodson

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Challenger Nationals then enter your Gear Guide information

Rory McKinna wins the UK Open Challenger Championship at Rutland - photo © James Greenberry