Etchells Red Funnel Regatta 2026 at Royal London Yacht Club

Shaun Frolich, Paul Childs and James Hemmingway won overall - Etchells Red Funnel Regatta © Rob Goddard

With five of the Cowes fleet teams away in San Diego for the 2026 Worlds, and boats sat on the dock, this early season event still had seven entrants.

On a very busy Solent race weekend, and to avoid the serious congestion in the Hill Head and Bramble Bank area, CRO Mike Randall with his RLYC volunteers, wisely choose Osborne Bay, close to racing mark Collette to set the racetrack. The wind had settled after a delay ashore to a South Easterly breeze around 10 knots.

Race 1 commenced with Rob Goddard's Rocketman having its first outing of the year, winning the pin and holding their lead to the top mark, after which the more experienced crew on Exabyte helmed for Saturday by Rob Gullan took the lead, and looked certain to win the race, except with their excitement, they sailed to the wrong side of the committee boat and lost out to Heather Quinn sailing Ariel.

Race 2 went with Exabyte leading the way round the track, and managing to finish correctly gained their first win of the weekend.

Race 3 again had Rocketman leading at the first mark, but a bad kite wrap and a consistent 20-degree wind shift arriving on the downwind leg, they blew their chances, and again it was Ariel who took the opportunity to scored their second win of the day.

Overall, for the day after three races, Exabyte was leading on 6 points, from Ariel, Ice (helmed by Andrew Cooper) and Rocketman all tied on 9 points, with Mano ahead on countback.

Day 2 saw a 20 knot plus breeze and lumpy sea off Cowes, unfortunately with gear and crew failure, three boats did not make it to the start, consequently only a much reduce fleet actually raced. Unfortunately, today the wind had much more easterly in it, and starting near low tide, the racecourse had to be restricted in length to 0.65 of a nautical mile, and with a building tidal cross flow, the RO between races extended the spreader length in order to ensure opportunities for gybing down wind.

And it was Shaun Frolich now back on the helm who won the three-race day, and the event overall, crewed by Paul Childs and James Hemmingway, James commented "Mike Randall did a great job, setting fair courses in difficult cross tide conditions, and every time it was tight at the top mark, placing a great emphasis on boat handling, a good weekends racing"

Ariel finished second overall taking both Cat1 and Youth prizes.

Ariel finished second overall, taking both Cat1 and Youth prizes - Etchells Red Funnel Regatta - photo © Rob Goddard

Racing continues on the 23-25th May bank holiday weekend with the RYS hosting the fleet for the prestigious Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy.

The fleet are always looking not only for new owners, but also new sailors to join in with existing crews, if you would like to sail in the fleet then please feel free to contact us via Facebook message so we can add you to the fleet's WhatsApp group or email

Also see www.Etchellsukfleet.co.uk for information on chartering etc.

Overall Results: