The 2027 dates are set for the hugely successful training Academy – book your place now – numbers are limited to ~6-8 teams for participation in the Academy.
Etchells owners are also invited to join the training on water in their own yachts – this helps lift the competitive learning for Academy teams and to develop the community spirit for the season. We have been grateful to owners who ‘adopt an Academy team’ and help mentor the season after ‘graduation.’
Important to remember ……. there are only 4 bursary funded seasons available to win through success in the Academy.
Book early to give you and your team the best chance of winning a funded season in 2027
Other news for the charity and its participation in the Etchells fleet:
Latest news letter from the Etchells Cowes Fleet:
| Cowes Etchells Fleet – May 2026 Newsletter “Welcome to our latest newsletter, an update covering recent activities and future plans. As ever all of our plans and decisions are made with the triple goals of building a self sustaining fleet, running high quality racing and hosting an excellent 2028 home Worlds. Youth Academy Success The charity youth academy concluded as an unequivocal success, with sixteen sailors across four teams competing for awarded boats. The post academy survey made great reading with all participants rating their experience as excellent or good. The result, as previously, is an enlarged fleet and sailor pool leading to increased competitiveness for all. Next time, we will help the charity accommodate six teams, with potential for more sailors. The fleet is rightly proud of our alumni and encourage you to promote the 2027 programme details of which have been circulated. Two of the latest alumni achievements are especially noteworthy. Heather Quinn’s alumni team have been regularly featured on the Cowes Fleet podium this season and a little farther afield Corneille has been given a place on the British Youth Sailing team. Etchells World Championship in San Diego Despite an incredibly talented fleet of international sailors, many of our local British teams prevailed in testing conditions, British boats won three Trophies. Our congratulations to First Lady helm, Ruby Sunderland with Strait Dealer and First Corinthian, Andy Lawson with No Dramas, The Bill Steele Award, Corneille with Palaver. There was also a close call for First Youth with Ted Blowers as first youth. Vakaros System Adoption Following the AGM discussions and more adoption worldwide the Cowes fleet will from June onward support the use of the Vakaros units with full functionality. This decision aligns our fleet with its counterparts worldwide. For the remainder of the 2026 season, using Vakaros is permitted and optional for all events apart from the Nationals and the Europeans, where it will be mandated and used alongside RaceSense for race management. Most active teams in the Cowes fleet have bought units, and thanks to the generosity of Chris Hampton and David Maclean, the SFB and Youth boats have been provided loan units. Future Events We have also seen a surge of interest in European Etchells sailing, particularly around Lake Garda. We will plan our race 2027 & 2028 schedules to best attract European sailors to Cowes and the reciprocal. Thank you for your interest.and enjoy the rest of this newsletter.” A message from our fleet captain – Shaun Frohlich – Exabyte GBR 1459 .jpg?width=1120&upscale=true&name=JGT_6237%20(4).jpg) Cowes Etchells – Championship Updates at the Halfway Mark The 2026 Cowes International and National Series took another significant step forward during May, with the prestigious Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy and Red Funnel Regatta adding further momentum to what is already shaping up to be a highly competitive season.Cowes International Series Update – Sir Kenneth Preston TrophyThe Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy once again delivered a weekend of top-class racing in the Solent, with teams battling for valuable points in the Cowes International Series. As one of the flagship events on the international calendar, the regatta attracted a strong fleet and provided another opportunity for crews to establish themselves in the overall championship race. Following the opening stages of the series, Louise Racing continues to set the pace at the top of the International Series standings, maintaining a narrow advantage over Exabyte, while Ada remains firmly in contention in third place. Tango and Mano complete the current top five, with plenty of racing still to come before the championship is decided. With the British National and Open Championship, and the David Franks Cup still ahead, the battle for the 2026 International Series title remains wide open.Cowes International Series 2026 – League Table  Tango AUS 1466 – Winners of the Sir Kenneth Preston Trophy 2026National Series Update – Red Funnel Regatta The Red Funnel Regatta formed the second event of the Cowes National Series and produced another excellent weekend of racing for the home fleet. The event proved crucial for teams looking to build momentum after the Spring Regatta and strengthen their position in the overall standings. The National Series leaderboard remains exceptionally close, with Mano holding the overall lead after an impressive start to the season. Ariel sits second, while Spica occupies third place, demonstrating impressive consistency across both the National and International Series. Exabyte and Louise Racing round out the current top five. With the Robert Watson Memorial Trophy and Saida Cup still to come later in the season, there is plenty of opportunity for teams to climb the leaderboard, and early indications suggest the National Series title race could go right down to the final event .Cowes National Series 2026 – League Table  Exabyte GBR 1459 – Winners of the Red Funnel Regatta 2026Cowes Etchells Fleet, Isle of Wight, Cowes, Hampshire, United Kingdom |
Etchells European Championships 2027 – Lake Garda Now Confirmed – Save The Date!The Cowes Etchells Fleet is very proud to announce that our venue for the 2027 Etchells European Championships has been confirmed, and will be hosted at Lake Garda, Italy! The European Championships for 2027 will be held at Fraglia Vela Riva between the 23rd – 27th June 2027. Lake Garda is one of the world’s most iconic venues, with the wind filling in almost everyday like clockwork, getting the northerly breeze in the morning, and then southerly in the afternoon, meaning the reliability for sailing and time on the water is more than assured. We expect a wide range of international teams to come and join in with what will be one of the most iconic venues for our European Championships to be hosted in. Put the date in your diary, as the Etchells European Championships for 2027, will be not one to miss. |
2025 & 2026 news:
The 2026 season has started – track the 3 CKYC youth teams – team Mano; team Ziggy; team Shamal
| Cowes Etchells Fleet – April 2026 NewsletterThe Cowes Etchells Fleet heads into an exciting stretch of the season, with momentum building both at home and abroad. Early racing in the 2026 Cowes International and National Series has already set a competitive tone, while attention is also turning to major upcoming milestones on the calendar. From the confirmation of a world-class venue for the 2027 European Championships to the fast-approaching World Championships in San Diego, there is plenty for the fleet to look forward to. With strong British representation on the international stage and tightly contested racing closer to home, the 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most engaging yet. |
.jpg?width=1120&upscale=true&name=DJI_20240526061413_0075_D%20(4).jpg)
| The 2026 Cowes International, and National Series – Now Underway – Louise Racing & Spica, LeadThe 2026 Cowes Etchells season is beginning to take shape, with early standings now established in both the International and National Series following the opening events. In the International Series, Louise Racing has made a perfect start, taking victory at the Bedrock Trophy and sitting top of the standings on just one point. Exabyte and Spica currently round out the top three, while Mano and Shamal remain well within striking distance in fourth and fifth. With only one event completed so far, the leaderboard remains tightly packed and leaves plenty to play for as the series progresses through its major regattas. Meanwhile, the National Series has kicked off with a slightly different complexion after the Spring Regatta. Spica leads the way after a strong opening performance, with Mano in second and Louise Racing in third. A large mid-fleet grouping highlights just how competitive the fleet is this season, with minimal separation between several teams heading into the next events. With both series now underway, the early results have set an intriguing benchmark—though with multiple regattas still to come, consistency across the season will be key to securing overall honours. Pictures below show Louise Racing GBR 1495, crowned champions of the International Bedrock Trophy in image 1, image 2 shows Etchells Spica GBR 1437 picking up the overall victory at the Spring Regatta. |
.jpeg?width=1120&upscale=true&name=WhatsApp%20Image%202026-04-12%20at%2016.31.32%20(1).jpeg)
| The Final Countdown Is On For The 2026 Etchells World Championships, in San DiegoThe 2026 Etchells World Championship in San Diego will see a solid British contingent lining up against a highly competitive international fleet. Representing GBR are:Ada (GBR 1409) – David MacleanNo Dramas (GBR 1490) – Andrew Lawson – CorinthianPalaver (GBR 1014) – Corneille LePrince – Corinthian & YouthStrait Dealer (GBR 1468) – Graham SunderlandSide Piece (GBR/USA 919) – Ted Blowers – YouthTango (AUS 1466) – Chris HamptonWith San Diego expected to deliver classic Etchells conditions, the depth of the British entries—spanning experienced teams, corinthian, and youth programmes—sets the stage for a competitive showing on the world stage. We wish our GBR teams and Cowes Etchells Fleet members the best in San Diego. |
Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity 2026
Congratulations to all our incredible competitors, dedicated sponsors, and passionate supporters for making our inaugural year such a resounding success! With all four of our boats racing fiercely this season, we couldn’t be prouder. As we look forward to the 2026 season, we will start the New Year with CKYC boats supporting the Cowes Etchells, Keelboat & Youth Academy. Together, we’ll continue to make Etchells an exciting, challenging, and rewarding class to be involved in and part of.
Saida Cup October 18th-19th
The last Cowes Etchells Regatta of 2025, the Saida Cup. Eleven teams entered, including two CKYC boats, Pulse (Heather Quinn) and Shamal (Helena Coombs). A dramatic end to the regatta for Pulse, who ended up being hit by Exabyte and Ada; thankfully, all were uninjured.
Pulse finished 7th overall, 3rd Corinthian, and 4th youth team. Shamal finished 8th overall, 4th Corinthian, and 3rd youth.
Ice Bucket – Women’s Championships October 4th-5th
Unfortunately, Saturday was blown out by Storm Amy, but six boats were still keen to fight it out on Sunday, including Heather Quinn and her team on Pulse. On a breezy Sunday, six boats lined up. A close set of races saw Heather and Pulse finish in sixth but first Corinthian and first Youth. A very competitive fleet saw several Olympians join the fleet, including Shirley Robertson, Hannah Snellgrove, and Sarah Ayton.
David Franks Cup September 20th-21st
Three CKYC boats took part in the David Franks Cup. Mano and Harry Blythe led the CKYC fleet, coming 6th overall, 1st Youth and 1st Corinthian. Pulse and Heather Quinn came 12th, 2nd Youth and 4th Corinthian, and Shamal with Thalya Ambroziak came 13th, 3rd Youth and 5th Corinthian. Thirteen boats competed in six races in a varied weekend of sailing. Saturday was overcast with a strong southerly breeze, while Sunday switched to a light but sunny northerly. The Lee on Solent air show was an occasional distraction, with Spitfires performing overhead.
Robert Watson Memorial Trophy September 6-7th
Two CKYC boats took part in the RWMT weekend. Tango and Chris Hampton once again took the overall title. Pulse and Heather Quinn came 7th, 2nd Youth, and 3rd Corinthian. Shamal and Thomas Goodman came 9th, 3rd Youth, and 5th Corinthian after an issue with a halyard on the first day’s racing.
South Coast Championships August 23-25th
Two CKYC boats took part in these championships. Tango and Chris Hampton took the overall title. Mano and Harry Blythe scored an 8 and were placed 2nd Corinthian boat. Pulse and Heather Quinn came 11th and 4th Corinthian after an unfortunate start to the championships.
Island Sailing Club Tuesday Night July 2025
Ziggy 17th June 2nd IRC, 24th June 1st IRC, 1st July 3rd, 8th July 1st IRC, 22nd July 2nd and 29th July 1st. Ziggy is currently leading both the IRC and ISC Handicap series in Class 2 with only 2 races to go!
Etchells Southern Area Championship 12th – 13th July
9 boats took part in the Southern Area Championships. Heather Quinn in Pulse was the highest placed CKYC boat finishing in 5th. Shamal and Thomas Leather sailing for Gurnard Sailing Club came 9th.
International Bedrock Trophy 24th -26th May
The 2025 edition of the International Bedrock Trophy took place over a wet and wild May bank holiday weekend, and was hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club. The event formed as round 2 of 6 for the Cowes International Series, and with Etchells Mano putting in a very strong performance at the Sir Kenneth Preston trophy previously, they were set to defend their lead from close competitors such as Palaver, who also had a strong start to the Cowes International Series.
Sir Kenneth Preston Regatta 3-5th May
Congratulations to Harry Blythe and Mano for a fantastic win beating the competition by a 5 point margin. Thomas Goodman and Shamal managed a 9th and Heather Quinn and Pulse came 10th on count back.
Etchells Red Funnel Regatta 12/13 April
8 Boats took to the water including two Cowes Keelboat Youth Boats. Mano with Sam Barnes- Thornton Driving was the highest placed boat with a 5th overall, a 2nd and a 3rd in race 1 and 4 shows promise for the future. Heather Quinn came a close 6th in Pulse to Sam with only 2 points separating them, a 3rd in race 2 was their highest score,
April cont….. 2025
Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity has now chartered out its four Etchells to Youth teams for the 2025 season. Harry Blythe will Take Mano, Heather Quinn in Pulse, Thomas Leather / Cameron Gardner, Shamal and Ziggy will be used to encourage Cowes youth teams initially by Dylan and Biba Downer.
April 2025
The Cowes Etchells Fleet got the season well and truly underway with the Spring Championships that is part of the Cowes National Series, hosted by the Royal London Yacht Club that also incorporated the Youth Academy trials for 2025. 3 Youth teams were in the hunt to confirm their spot CKYC funded Etchells for the 2025 season. The weekend forecast was set to be perfect, with a complete range of 12-20 knots from a east-northeast direction, clear skies and sun also came to join the fleet for a great weekend of racing. Youth academy teams also hit the water the day prior to the event to secure some last minute training on the water before the event. Congratulations to Cameron Gardner and Shamal who was awarded the Ben F Wood trophy, this silverware is presented to the highest placed youth academy boat at the Etchells Youth Academy trials.
March 2025
The Royal London Etchells Youth Academy 2025 is now coming to an end the five youth teams have had a very successful Academy and all teams have made massive progress. The Academy will come to head at the Spring Championships at the start of April.
Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity has pledged the winning team an Etchells to race for the 2025 season!
February cont…..2025
The Royal London Etchells Youth Academy 2025 has got underway with 5 teams including teams from Oxford, Cambridge and Bournemouth Universities. Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity is proud to support the Academy with loan of 5 boats. 3 training camps have taken place so far and all crews have made excellent progress.
February 2025
The Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity held its first training session with local Cowes youth sailors.
Dylan and Biba got a taste of what the Etchells is capable of, and not even the grey skies or brisk easterly wind could wipe the smiles from their faces.
January 2025
The Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity is proud to support the Royal London Etchells Youth Academy Program, offering young sailors the opportunity to train over five weekends this winter, culminating in a final selection for a fully expensed season on an International Etchells Class Yacht.
Over the past seven years, more than 400 young sailors have participated, with many going on to compete against some of the world’s best.
https://www.rlyc.org.uk/the-club/royal-london-etchells-youth-academy–1
Cowes Keelboat Youth Charity 