Flying Jenny Crowned Cape 31 Season Champion After Six Rounds of Fierce Racing
by Tor Tomlinson Cheney 9 Sep 2025 23:27 PDT
6-7 September 2025
2025 Cape 31 UK Season Championship © Ian Roman /
www.ianroman.com
The 2025 Cape 31 season wrapped up after six spectacular rounds, showcasing one of the most competitive one-design fleets on the water. With packed start lines, shifting conditions, and every team making their mark at some point in the year, the series delivered racing that was as close as it was exciting.
In the overall championship, Sandy Askew's Flying Jenny proved unstoppable when on the water — winning four out of the five events they contested. Having missed one round and with no discard available, the team could not afford a single slip-up. That pressure carried all the way into the final event, where another strong performance secured them the overall season crown. Akheilos pushed hard throughout and kept the title fight alive until the last race to finish second overall, while Bullit's consistency earned them a well-deserved third on the podium.
The season also delivered standout moments across the fleet. Katabatic, Khumbu, and Jubilee all enjoyed days of brilliance, scoring podiums and reminding the fleet how deep the competition has become. The newest team, Swift Half, ended their debut campaign on a high — winning races in the final rounds and finishing an impressive fourth overall. Their trajectory has already marked them as a team to watch heading into 2026.
The Corinthian One Professional Division saw equally fierce battles. David Cummins' Flurg rose to the occasion with a superbly sailed season that not only delivered the Corinthian title but regularly put them in contention with the professionals. Lucian Stone and Jonny Hewat's Narwhal finished a close second, while the Locke family's Toucan impressed the fleet to secure third overall.
There were popular highlights too, including Jiraffe's event win, proof once again that on any given weekend, the front of the fleet can change. With multiple race winners throughout the year, and every team stepping onto the podium in individual races, the Cape 31 class has cemented its reputation for high-octane, evenly matched competition.
At the prize-giving, overall champion Sandy Askew summed up the season:
"We have been trying to get our hands on this trophy for a few years now and we finally did it. My team are amazing — they drag me round the race course. It's been an amazing season and I loved racing against all of you in amazing conditions."
As the curtain falls on 2025, the season will be remembered not only for Flying Jenny's triumph under pressure but also for the relentless competitiveness across the fleet. With momentum building, new teams on the rise, and anticipation already high, the 2026 series promises to be even more thrilling.
Thank you to the Yacht Clubs who hosted our awesome events this season and to our longstanding partners, Hamble Yacht Services, North Sails, Spinlock, Peters and May and Quantum Sails.
Several teams will now head to the European Championships in Palma this October for a final showdown, joining the ever-growing Mediterranean fleet. In fact, Jiraffe went straight onto a truck on Monday and is aiming to line up this weekend at Med Round 5 in Arenal CNA, Palma — keeping the Cape 31 racing spirit alive right through to the end of the year.