Hyde Sails XOD class Traveller Series 2025 - Preview
by Rory Paton 20 Feb 19:18 AEDT
Abby Hire, Alex Paton, Kate Wharmby and Tom Wharmby - the first Cowes Week Youth Bursary entry for 2025 © XOD Class
The highly competitive X One Design Class has a full season ahead with our Traveller Series sponsored by Hyde Sails to look forward to.
Teams are hard at work preparing their X Boats for some hard racing ahead in one of the most competitive fleets in the country. Whilst the oldest boat racing now is 114 years old, we welcome Jonathan Clark's new boat X195 Turtle to race against.
The series kicks off at Cowes Classics Week where windward leeward racing is the order of the day. Three days of intense racing should sharpen everyone's skills with a plan to be racing in the shadow of the Bramble Bank.
Itchenor Keelboat week requires a totally different skill set navigating the Chichester harbour's tight channels and remembering which way to go around all the marks. With short sharp races, taking on the locals is a proper challenge.
Lymington XOD Week sponsored by Steele Raymond LLP Solicitors brings a whole different level of competition. If one can survive the parties, the racing provides a mix of navigational and windward leeward racing. There is free berthing for the first 6 visiting boats to enter, visitors have a great record here!
Speaking of parties, the Taittinger regatta follows on from Lymington XOD week. Here the challenge starts with the Taittinger Champagne reception on the Friday evening then two full on races on Saturday and the legendary Towers party and, finally, a long navigational race on Sunday. Beating local legend James Meaning in his home waters would be a proper achievement.
The central Solent Championships is next taking place in the tricky Southampton Water where X boat racing began. Navigation here is key, especially in a boat with no GPS. Still one can always follow Peter "Basher" Baines, as he tends to know the way.
The prestigious Telegraph Bowl at Cowes is next and is included in the Household Division regatta. With starts from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, this is great practice for Cowes Week.
Cowes Week in its 199th year and this is the big one being the grand national of sailing racing for the Captain's Cup. Last year's battle royal for the title was between Astralita with John Tremlett, Fraser Graham and Tim Copsey's and Swallow with Richie Faulkner, Ben McGrane and James Ross. This was like watching an epic grand slam tennis final. We will have at least one under 25 bursary boat with X48 XL already back for more. If you have an under 25 team and would like to do Cowes Week please approach your local fleet. The Class will pay the entry and mooring fees for successful applicants.
At the end of August, the fleet will be heading to Poole Week. Here more than anywhere a race is never over till it's done. There's plenty of jeopardy with ferries and sandbanks in the gloriously picturesque waters. Competitors are offered two races each day and if conditions allow, enjoy a scenic race around Brownsea Island.
The Traveller Series finale is back at Southampton Water for the Hamble Classics regatta. The question is do you want to come and have a go? Where we sail and your local XOD Class contact can be found here: xonedesign.org.uk/where-xods-are-raced
If you'd like to own a bit of history and enjoy some of the most competitive one design racing around, a link to our boats for sale is here xonedesign.org.uk/xods-for-sale