Please select your home edition
Edition
Rolly Tasker Sails 2023 LEADERBOARD

Model yacht race makes a splash

by Southampton Solent University 18 May 2024 20:36 AEST
Yacht and Powercraft Design students model yacht race © Southampton Solent University

A winner has emerged victorious at Solent University, Southampton following a high-octane race of model yachts at Gosport Boating Lake.

In an annual tradition that spans almost 50 years, BEng (Hons) Yacht Design and Production and BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design students went head-to-head on Thursday 16 May to test out their hand-crafted model yachts and find out who would be crowned the winner.

With a reputation for producing global talent in the marine industry, Solent University's model yacht race provides a glimpse into the skills students possess as they prepare for exciting careers on and offshore.

Inclement weather on the day posed a challenge, with 17 students setting sail to claim the top spot. Yacht Design and Production students took home the wins, with Jack Francis winning the upwind race and Sonny Day Bridger taking first place in the downwind race. Yacht and Powercraft Design student, Finlay Coyle, who built a beautiful looking model which sailed gracefully throughout the racing, won the Concours' D'Elegance.

The racing hopefuls - all of whom are first year students at Solent - had their performance closely scrutinised by the University's lecturers who have a global reputation in the industry. Giles Barkley, Course Leader Yacht Engineering, says:

"This tradition is a great opportunity to witness the impressive skills our students have - and at such an early stage in their university journey. Model yachts are not easy to get right, but this year's cohort did a fantastic job producing well-designed models that performed well on the water.

"At Solent, we are proud that many of our previous winners are now thriving in the world of professional yacht design, and it is challenges like this that help to develop student skills, readying them for the competitive industry that awaits them."

While the race has almost five decades under its belt and is notorious for being good fun, it is also about academic excellence. The race forms part of the students' first-year studies, with lecturers assessing the standard of the yachts, as well as their durability on the day, following 100 hours dedicated to the design and build of the vessels.

Graduates have gone on to work on designs for many different Americas Cup campaigns, as well as Open 60 race yachts. With a reputation for delivering world-class teaching in the heart of one of England's biggest maritime cities, Solent offers many different courses in yacht design, and recently introduced a Sustainable Marine Craft and Superyacht Design MSc - the first of its kind in the UK.

To find out more about the courses on offer at Solent, visit www.solent.ac.uk.

Related Articles

Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 2
Philip Köster triumphs again in Pozo Izquierdo The 37th edition of the Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup delivered a thrilling second day this Sunday, once again marked by strong winds and the talent of the world's best windsurfers. Posted today at 8:47 pm
A perfect start to the 5th annual AEGEAN 600
Cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind At the very southern end of the Greek mainland at Cape Sounion in Attica, today's start to the 5th edition of the AEGEAN 600 was perfect: cloudless blue skies, crystal clear waters and perfect 12-15 knots of northerly wind. Posted today at 8:39 pm
29er Europeans at Lake Garda day 4
One race, one storm, and one big lay day vibe With qualification wrapped and the fleet now split into six groups—Gold, Silver, Bronze, Emerald, Purple, and White—Day 4 of the 29er Europeans kicked off with early optimism and an earlier-than-usual launch in pursuit of the morning breeze. Posted today at 7:09 pm
iQFOiL Worlds a Aarhus day 1
Full foiling conditions launch the World Championship with four high-intensity races for both fleets The iQFOiL World Championship kicked off today in Aarhus with dynamic and demanding conditions that truly tested the world's top foiling windsurfers. The wind was anything but steady, shifting in both direction and intensity throughout the day. Posted today at 7:01 pm
Rolex TP52 Worlds in Cascais overall
American Magic Quantum Racing win Rolex TP52 Worlds after breezy week in Cascais. Doug DeVos' American Magic Quantum Racing crew were crowned 2025 Rolex TP52 World Champions today in Cascais, Portugal. Posted today at 6:54 pm
Red Bull Sailing Academy Opens
A new hub for current and future superstars to reach the top of their sport Marina Monfalcone, North Italy, made waves yesterday, as sports superstars gathered to open the Red Bull Sailing Academy, marking the beginning of a new era in the sport. Posted today at 12:53 pm
Gran Canaria Gloria Windsurf World Cup Day 1
Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever Philip Köster edges out Marcilio Browne in one of the closest finals ever as Pozo delivers 50 knot winds and waves. Posted today at 11:42 am
America's Cup: French give the Brits the "Hurry-up
Frustration builds between Cup factions over lack of progress with Protocol. Last weekend's missive from the French America's Cup challenge team is further evidence over the building frustration with progress towards the 2027 America's Cup in Naples. Posted today at 11:12 am
The oldest video footage of Moth sailing
A look back into our video archive, to when the name of this class first settled down We delve into our video archive to find the oldest possible videos that show Moth racing. Are these International Moths, British Moths... or was the name still Olive, Inverloch 11ft, National Moth or Brent One-Design?! Posted today at 11:00 am
GKSS Match Cup & Nordea Women's Trophy overall
It is the first time the Match Cup Sweden title has been won by a Danish Skipper Denmark's Jeppe Borch/ Team Borch Match Race, and France's Pauline Courtois/ Match in Pink by Normandy crowned the new champions of Marstrand in a day of fierce weather for the final of 2025 GKSS Match Cup Sweden and Nordea Women's Trophy in Marstrand. Posted today at 7:14 am
Pantaenius Sail 2025 AUS FooterSwitch One DesignMaritimo M75