Two-Fold Charge for the British Keelboat Racing Circuit
Sailors across Britain were pumped and ready for the British Keelboat League double header this weekend, with 22 teams taking on the choppy waves at sold-out events in Scotland and the south coast. The sailing conditions were testing over the course of Saturday and Sunday (22-23 March 2025), allowing for fast-paced, tight-knit races at both the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) Keelboat Championship and the Boysterous Cup hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club. The top three teams from each event are now reveling in their podium victories, having earned the coveted tickets to compete in the League final at Cowes in September 2025.
Peter Ward, the BKL Coordinator, expressed his delight at the League's success during the weekend. "It was another amazing weekend for the British Keelboat League," he said. "Massive congratulations to the winning teams, and thanks to the host clubs and all the volunteers that make these events possible."
SSS Keelboat Championship
In the Scottish Highlands, the SSS Keelboat Championship saw 12 teams from five universities battling for glory at Port Edgar Yacht Club. With 707s battling on the Forth Estuary, the racing was intense, resulting in an incredibly tight fight for second place, with only one point separating the teams.
However, the Strathclyde University team sprinted to the finish, achieving a perfect win record and claiming victory with one race remaining. Event Organizer and member of the victorious Strathclyde team, Robbie Littlefield, acknowledged the challenging sailing conditions, but highlighted the teams' ability to seize the opportunity and overall triumph.
The top three teams that secured their spots in the BKL final were:
- Strath One: James Gifford, Robbie Littlefield, Lilli Bell, Oli Dunton, William O'Keefe
- Strath Two: Fraser Patrick, Oswin Ashwood, Freya Sharp, Oliver Sumner, Wilson Beer
- Dundee: Fergus Wilson, Alastair McKinnon, Ruth Neville, Euan Urquart, Nathan Mccabe
Robbie added his heartfelt gratitude for PRO Eilidh Miller's exceptional work and the collective effort of everyone involved in making the event a success.
Boysterous Cup
The Boysterous Cup in the south held equal appeal, with 10 teams racing in J70s on the Solent. Near-ideal conditions and the enthusiastic race committee's effort resulted in a packed 26-race schedule over the two days. The Royal Southern Yacht Club Junior Academy Team Green put up a remarkable performance to clinch overall victory, while two teams from Solent University Sailing Club placed second and third.
Meeting the requirements to compete in the BKL final were Solent Red, Southampton Sailing Club / Team Kernow in 5th, and Marconi in 7th.
Gearing up for the League's upcoming events, the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club is eager to welcome competitors over the weekend of 26-27 April 2025. The Club boasts a well-maintained fleet of 707s for participants and promises top-tier on-water organization alongside affordable cabin rooms and camping facilities on site. Traveling from London and the southeast has never been easier, making it a must for eager competitors to secure their spot soon.
Lastly, entries for the Women's BKL Championship in J70s at the Royal Southern Yacht Club on May 31-June 1, 2025, are now open. For the fifth year in a row, the event will be part of the annual Women's Open Keelboat Championships. The BKL invite teams representing their club, class association, school, university, or group of friends. The final will be hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club at Cowes, Isle of Wight, on September 19-21, 2025, where teams will battle for the title and compete for selection to progress to the European SAILING Champions League. Don't miss your chance to join the action - sign up today!
- Peter Ward's sentiments echo the excitement of the sports community, as he celebrated the success of the British Keelboat League.
- With numerous victories under their belts, teams like Strath One from Strathclyde University are now preparing for the next level of competition in sports, the League final at Cowes in September 2025.
