Inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup at Northampton Sailing Club

Inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup at Northampton Sailing Club © Sue Warne

Inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup at Northampton Sailing Club © Sue Warne

The inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup took place on the 10th of May, and it couldn't have been better received. Hosted by Northampton Sailing Club, the event welcomed 26 boats, each acquired for £300 or less, and every competitor fully embraced the core ethos of the day: that sailing can be accessible, competitive, and fun—regardless of age, experience, or budget.

Competitors were greeted with perfect conditions—sunshine, a steady breeze, and just enough shifting wind to keep the race team on their toes. The morning featured four short, sharp sprint races on a trapezoid course, designed to challenge both starting tactics and boat handling. Sam McKay, sailing a Supernova, was untouchable during these races, scoring four straight wins. At that point, many expected he'd be walking away with the £300 cash prize. However, a curveball lay in wait: a non-discardable, double points long-distance race with a Le Mans-style start that would prove decisive.

Despite the early dominance, the scoreboard was still wide open, with six boats in serious contention. Among them was Oliver Davenport, single-handing a Firefly with an unusual backstory—the boat had most recently appeared as a prop in a student theatre production in Oxford. Having only been rigged that morning, Oliver still managed a morning scoreline of 4, 2, 2, 3—proof that even stage props can be fast.

The long-distance race began with all the drama expected of a Le Mans start, as 20 boats sprinted to the water and launched almost simultaneously. It was "Fresh" who showed that Tuesday evenings 'Lazy run club' had paid off, as he and Lorna took the early lead in their £107 Laser 2. As the fleet reached the narrows, the breeze piped up, and several boats capsized, but the action proved how surprisingly seaworthy a sub-£300 boat can be. The only vessel that took on any significant water was Oliver Davenport's Firefly, which—having sacrificed its internal bungs to meet budget—needed a five-person team to haul it up the slipway after the race.

Inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup presentation - photo © Olivia York

Junior fleet

Meanwhile, the junior fleet provided some equally exciting racing, showing that club-owned Toppers and Lasers are still more than capable. A big well done and thank you goes to all the junior sailors who took part and showed exceptional skill. Congratulations to Keali Rhodes, who narrowly claimed victory in the junior class and walked away with a Windie Race Timer and an FM Sailing voucher.

Senior results

In the senior class, the Odell brothers finished second sailing a £300 GP14. They humorously blamed their dad, who also served as Race Officer, for not lending them a burgee—as this would've pushed them over budget. Ultimately, it was Lorna and Fresh who claimed victory in the first Colander Cup. In a generous gesture, they put £150 of their prize money behind the bar for fellow competitors and donated the remaining £150 to the RNLI.

Inaugural FM Sailing Colander Cup at Northampton Sailing Club - photo © Matt O'Neill

There were plenty of honourable mentions. Alex King earned applause for his valiant effort in a club Laser Pico, having been unable to source parts for his usual ride—a Nimbus currently serving as the roof of a chicken coop. The armbands for biggest capsize went to Lynn and Roger, who, like many others, were caught out by a squall during the long-distance race. And of course, a special nod goes once again to Oliver Davenport, whose waterlogged Firefly was the only boat worth emptying after racing—proof that you really can have serious fun for £300.

A huge thank you goes to Northampton Sailing Club for hosting such a unique, alternative day of racing. Their support and enthusiasm showed that different can still be competitive, and helped deliver an event that was not just memorable, but meaningful.

We're delighted to announce that next year's Colander Cup will be held on Saturday 9th May 2026, once again at Northampton Sailing Club. In light of inflation, the budget limit will be increased to £313.51. Entries and further details will be available soon on our website. Until then—happy sailing!

One competitor, Lee Bratley, had an unlucky day with severe water ingress after deck and hull parted. But he still sent in a joyful video diary:

Overall Results: