Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

Champagne conditions for British Keelboat League at Marconi Sailing Club

by British Keelboat League 7 Jun 2023 07:59 PDT 3-4 June 2023

The latest round of the British Keelboat League had a sell-out entry with nine teams racing in champagne conditions on the east coast at Marconi Sailing Club.

Grey cloud cover either side of the weekend made way for glamour conditions on the BKL race track in Steeple Bay with north-easterly winds of 13-19 knots, blue skies and sunshine.

The short course, fast turnaround format enabled every team to complete a full schedule of 12 races or more sailing the club's SB20 fleet and saw Team Chichester claiming overall victory.

Counting an impressive scoreline which included nine bullets, the winning team skippered by Richard Anderton proved impossible for second-placed Marconi SC to catch, despite a strong finish from the home team with a series of race wins on day two.

Richard said: "Marconi provided an outstanding event that delivered the best in short course racing. With so many quick-fire races over the weekend, the format drives engagement and allows teams to recover from mistakes. Fantastic catering and hospitality really rounded off the weekend."

The winning team - also including Simon Lomas-Clarke, Damian Boreham, Niamh Davies - now has an invite to the BKL final in September, along with Marconi SC, whose team comprised Dan Nickalls, Jack Wardell, David Nickalls and Hanah Bard.

Full results can be found at events.ksail.co.uk/2023/BKLMarconi/index.html

Youth teams

Among the nine teams competing were three under-18 youth teams: two from Royal Hospital School and also the furthest travelled team, Gelert - Llandegfedd Sailing Club.

The Welsh team came straight out of the blocks with a race win and having put in some pre-training in SB20s prior to the event, performed well to finish fifth overall.

Team coach David Sims commented afterwards: "What a great introduction for our team to British Keelboat League racing in a fantastic location."

The team was pipped to the youth prize by Royal Hospital School's RHS Pink team - Oscar Oldfield, Audrey Foley, Georgie Stammers and James Humphries - in fourth overall.

Third overall was Royal Hospital School's staff team, who spent the entire weekend looking over their shoulders to stay ahead as their youth sailors began to close the gap on the leaderboard.

Youth teams are encouraged to take part in the BKL series, and RHS Pink are now currently in pole position for an invite to the BKL final, which will go to the youth team (aged 24 and under) securing the highest average points score from any event in the series by the end of the season.

Thank you

Event organiser and BKL 2023 coordinator Peter Ward, of Marconi Sailing Club, said: "All the scheduled races were sailed and we had two umpire boats who were kept busy, and right alongside the race area we had a cruiser stationed where teams could spectate when not racing.

"It's the first time Marconi SC have ever organised an event of this nature and the first time the volunteers have helped with an event at this level - there were so many volunteers and every single one of them went above and beyond to make it a success.

"A big thank you also goes to kSail for admin support and on the water guidance, ensuring it all ran smoothly, and to our sponsors and supporters, including SB20 builder SportsboatWorld who provided matched racing sails and Sailing Chandlery for the prizes.

"Overall it was a really good, fun weekend of exciting racing in superb conditions. I think everyone finished the event happy but very tired!"

As Ella Robbins from the Banbury Sailing Club team summed up: "Thanks so much for a great weekend of racing, we really enjoyed it and a big thank you to the Marconi volunteers for running a great event."

Enter now!

Next up, the British Keelboat League returns to Scotland for round three, at the stunning venue of Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club. The top teams from each event are invited to the national BKL final and could then earn selection for the European Sailing Champions League!

  • 25-26 February: Port Edgar, 707s - WON by Strathclyde University
  • 3-4 June: Marconi SC, SB20s - WON by Team Chichester
  • 24-25 June: Royal Northern & Clyde YC, Sonars - enter here
  • 1-2 July: BKL Sailability Championship, WPNSA - enter here
  • 22-23 July: Royal Corinthian YC, 707s - enter here
  • 19-20 August: Rutland SC, RS21s - entry opening soon
  • 9-10 September: Women's BKL, Royal Southern YC, J70s
  • 29 September-1 October: Final, Royal Southern YC, J70s

Find out more at www.britishkeelboatleague.co.uk and keep up with all the latest BKL news @britishkeelboatleague on Facebook and Instagram.

Related Articles

Pantaenius Yacht Racing Image Award 2025
Submission of images open until 12 October The world's leading photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing is now open. You have one month left to submit your best image, taken since 14 October 2024. Posted today at 5:00 pm
Big Weather Gear appointed by Henri-Lloyd in USA
A high-profile return to the US market with its new retail partner Henri-Lloyd will be making a high-profile return to the US market with the appointment of Big Weather Gear as its new retail partner. Posted today at 2:25 pm
The Ocean Race Europe Leg 5 Day 4
Fast speeds and high stakes in thundery conditions as the fleet approaches Sicily After two days of predominantly light wind sailing and slow progress for the fleet, the top four teams - Paprec Arkéa (FRA), Biotherm (FRA), Allagrande Mapei (ITA), and Team Malizia (GER) - were the first to experience a low pressure weather system. Posted today at 2:18 pm
SailGP launches new rudders
And unveils further innovations ahead of Saint-Tropez event SailGP has today announced significant steps forward in technological innovation and fleet capability, with the launch of new rudders and plans for automated foil-protection software specifically for high speed, highly-loaded maneuvers. Posted today at 2:08 pm
SP80 aims for the world record in Namibia
Target 2026: Walvis Bay After two years of fine-tuning in Leucate (France), the SP80 team is preparing to take a decisive new step in its quest for the world sailing speed record. Posted today at 2:06 pm
TORE: Leg 5 Day 3: Tight at mid-point
The four lead boats are covered by a small margin. They are expected to round at 1700hrs At the halfway point of Leg 5 of The Ocean Race Europe, the four lead boats are covered by a small margin. Provided the light breeze holds, they are expected to round at 1700hrs.. Posted today at 12:03 pm
America's Cup: Running silent and deep, again.
A look at the flotsam that has surfaced as the Cup teams again go into deep and silent negotiation. A look at the state of the Cup - given the three weeks of silence since the hasty final Protocol signing. Previously a long deep dive by the teams has indicated that a lot of negotiation is underway. Here's what we've seen floating on the surface. Posted today at 5:58 am
Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup Day 1
Despite hurdles, familiar faces surge to the fore With a punchy 15-knot easterly and six-foot seas, the first day of the ninth edition of the Rolex New York Yacht Club Invitational Cup was a trial by fire for the 20 all-amateur crews pursuing Corinthian yachting's most treasured prize. Posted today at 3:41 am
J/24 Worlds 2025 in Plymouth, UK Day 1
4 metre waves and gusts in excess of 30 knots 50 J24's from 12 countries (Argentina, Australia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, USA and the UK) descended upon Plymouth, UK for their five day World Championship. Posted today at 3:35 am
Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup 2025 Day 2
Early World Championship leads for Magic Carpet E and Jolt in Porto Cervo After yesterday's frustrating lack of racing, the Costa Smeralda delivered for day two of the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup. Posted on 9 Sep
Hyde Sails 2024 - One DesignSwitch One DesignVaikobi Custom Teamwear