British clubs get set for European SAILING Champions League final
by British Keelboat League 8 Jul 00:39 AEST
11-13 July 2025
SAILING Champions League final 2024, Portugal © Prow Media
Keelboat teams representing three British clubs will be taking on Europe's finest in the 2025 SAILING Champions League final in Germany.
Royal Thames Yacht Club, Marconi Sailing Club and Burnham Sailing Club will be among 33 teams from across the continent and beyond competing in Kiel, 11-13 July.
Each National Sailing League has selected its most successful keelboat teams to compete in the SAILING Champions League (SCL) 2025 final.
All three British clubs earned a place after achieving top results in last year's British Keelboat League (BKL) final and will be travelling out to Kiel this Wednesday, then participating in a practice sailing day on Thursday ahead of the three-day final.
Both the Royal Thames and Marconi teams won a grant from the RYA to support their participation in the SCL as a result of their position in the BKL Final 2024. The Burnham team is supported by yacht brokers Clarke & Carter.
Royal Thames Yacht Club
The Royal Thames Yacht Club competed in the SCL last year and are looking to now build on their experience in Kiel.
Representing the Royal Thames YC will be a team comprising Tommy Darling (helm), Dom Lewis, Gemma Keers and Lainey Terkelsen (captain).
The Royal Thames YC is one of the oldest and most successful clubs in the UK and the team will be representing the RTYC Academy, a funded program aimed at supporting the transition to top level amateur sailing.
After clinching the British Keelboat League title in 2024, RTYC Academy wasted no time in getting to work, turning their attention to close quarters racing - winning the UK national team racing championship and honing keelboat tactics in the RS Elite.
"We're looking forward a top quality weekend against some of Europe's best teams," said team captain Lainey Terkelsen, commenting on their expectations for the SCL, adding: "We would like to start well and take places round the course."
Marconi Sailing Club
Representing Marconi SC will be David Nickalls, Dan Nickalls (helm), Tiegan Crick and Mia Morgan, who have been training through the season using the club's SB20 fleet.
Team members have also competed in a number of British Keelboat League events this year, including the BKL's winter visit to Rutland in February 2025, and the BKL Women's event held as part of the Women's Open Keelboat Championship at Royal Southern YC.
The east coast team has also competed in other Royal Southern YC events aboard the club's fleet of J70s to prepare for the BKL 2025 final, which will be hosted by the Royal Thames YC at Cowes in September, likewise in J70s.
Team member David Nickalls said: "This will be the third time for Marconi competing in the European SAILING Champions League final - we're looking forward to sailing a new venue and expecting to be up against really strong international teams. We're hoping to develop and progress as a team in the SCL."
Burnham Sailing Club
Also from the east coast, Burnham Sailing Club competed in the British Keelboat League for the first time last year - winning a place in the 2024 final and from there qualifying for the SAILING Champions League - an impressive BKL debut!
Representing the club in Kiel will be Flynn Davies (helm), Chay Taylor, Niamh Davies and Ellen Morley. In preparation for the SCL, the Burnham team also took part in the BKL winter round at Rutland Sailing Club earlier this year.
Helm Flynn Davies said: "As close runners up we picked up some valuable learnings, qualified for this year's national finals and above all else had a great time.
"Looking toward the SCL final in Kiel, we are kindly supported by local east coast yacht brokers Clarke & Carter. Their passion for the sport and eagerness to support a local team are greatly appreciated. We're going into the event with an open-mind and will focus on enjoying some racing in a really high standard fleet."
Take part
BKL Coordinator Peter Ward said: "All crew in the SAILING Champions League have to be members of the club they represent, making it a fantastic opportunity for clubs to put themselves and their best sailors in the spotlight.
"Good luck to our three British clubs who will be competing against some of the world's best keelboat teams in Kiel. We'll be cheering them on!"
If your club would like to compete in this year's BKL, there's still time to take part. Teams are invited to #rockupandrace in RS21s at Rutland Sailing Club, 19-20 July, and in J70s at Royal Southern YC for the David Haw Memorial Trophy, 30-31 August.
The BKL runs a quick turnaround fleet format with lots of on-water action alongside a friendly and sociable atmosphere on support boats between races and ashore.
Peter added: "Join us for some fantastic fast and fun keelboat racing and it could be your club competing in European SAILING Champions League next year!"
Find all the info you need at britishkeelboatleague.co.uk