Applications open for RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship 2025

Team racing at Oxford © Paul Wyeth / www.pwpictures.com

Applications are live for the RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship for the Prince Philip Trophy. Bringing together the top teams from the UK circuit, the 2025 edition will be hosted for the first time in the event's history at Oxford Sailing Club.

Up to 24 teams of six sailors will be invited to battle it out in Firefly dinghies for the prestigious title over the weekend of 22-23 March 2025 at Farmoor Reservoir.

Teams keen to take part are invited to Request an invitation by no later than 12:00 noon on 17 February 2025 and further information is available in the Notice of Race.

The #rockupandrace championship is supported by the UK Team Racing Association (UKTRA), RYA Oxford Sailing Club and kSail.

Premier event

Event Director Steve Watson from UKTRA said: "This is the premier team racing competition for the British Isles and it's exciting to be going to Oxford Sailing Club for the first time.

"There's a limit of 24 teams and last year we had 30 applicants so we're anticipating that the event will again be oversubscribed. We will have simply the best teams that can be assembled in action and we also have a stellar line-up of racing officials so we'll have fantastic top level racing. We are really looking forward to it and would urge teams to register their interest as soon as possible."

The dozen-strong team of officials being brought in for the event will include six international and five national umpires alongside a highly experienced race officer from KSail.

Oxford SC meanwhile has extensive experience and resources from hosting Oxford University, three schools and the RYA Eric Twiname Youth & Junior Team Racing Championships.

Qualification

Applications for entry are invited from RYA affiliated clubs, class associations and other organisations affiliated to the RYA, and from clubs affiliated to the Irish Sailing Association.

A new UKTRA 2025 qualification points system will take into account the standings for each team's top two helms and top two crews based on performance over the previous year at BUSA, UKTRA and RYA events, including UKTRA Champs, Wilson Trophy, Carmela Cup, BUSA Finals, Wessex Winter Warmer, Cam Cup, Oxford Magnum and Royal St George International.

As ever, it is expected that those competing will include not only top teams from clubs and universities but alumni groups of friends. The current title holders are university team Exeter Blue following a hat-trick of wins in 2021, 2022 and 2023 by the West Kirby Hawks.

Since the event's inauguration in 1969 it has traditionally rotated between West Kirby SC in the North West, Bough Beech SC in Kent and Spinnaker SC in Dorset. The event is due to West Kirby SC in 2026.

The on-time entry fee is £495 per team and the organisers are seeking sponsors.

For all the information and to request an invitation for your team, visit the RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship noticeboard.