Royal Thames Yacht Club Winter Team Racing Programme open for entries
by Guy Brearey / RTYC Captain of Team Racing 15 Sep 2025 12:12 PDT
Team Racing at the Royal Thames Yacht Club © RTYC
The Royal Thames Yacht Club is the premier keelboat team racing club in the UK running a large number of events (racing and training) in the club's outstanding fleet of Sonars and sending teams to top international events.
As we wrap up our 250th year we are excited to announce that some of the Autumn / Winter events will be open to non-members. This is a great opportunity to do high quality keelboat racing and to see what the Royal Thames is all about.
The events are one day Random Pairs format where teams enter as a single boat (4 people) and are randomly allocated to race with and against different teams in each race. It's a great leveller and all races are exciting.
Please see below for details of the events and how to sign up.
One Day Events
Masters Random Pairs - 12th October 2025, Queen Mary (Sonars with Spinnakers)
Helms must be over 45 years old and average age of the crew must be over 40 years old. Enter as a boat / team of four.
Crew's Cup - 9th November 2025, Queen Mary (Sonars with Spinnakers)
This is a new format which focuses on the Crews. Teams enter as a team of three crew (main, jib, bow) and will be randomly allocated a different helm for each of the random pairs team races. The winners will be the crew of three with the most wins. Sign up for the opportunity to race with top helms and to show you can get any helm around the course!
Hot Rum 1 - Sunday 16th November, Queen Mary (Sonars with Spinnakers)
Returning to the calendar the hugely popular Hot Rum is a day of higher level action. The Hot Rum is ideal for anyone looking to practice for 2026 championship events including Lochan Cup, Carmela Cup or international events. Enter as a boat / team of four.
Hot Rum 2 - Sunday 18th January, Queen Mary (Sonars with Spinnakers)
The second Hot Rum weekend. Same format as Hot Rum 1 with high level keelboat team racing with spinnakers.
Mixed+ Random Pairs - Sunday 1st February, Queen Mary (Sonars with Spinnakers)
The Mixed+ Random Pairs promises to be bigger and better than ever before with several top helms already lining up their crews. Female helms paired with a 50/50 crew. This format is very popular in the US and is growing from strength to strength in the UK. Enter as a boat / team of four, with Female helm and 50/50 crew.
Championships
Three championship events will be held over the winter:
Schools' Team Racing Championships 29th & 30th November, Queen Mary (with Spinnakers)
kicking off on the 29th & 30th November with the Schools' Team Racing Championship. After a trial event last year, this event is sure to sell out as soon as entries open.
Carmela Cup - 11th and 12th April, Queen Mary, 2 boat team racing (with Spinnakers)
The UK Two Boat, Keelboat, Team Racing Championship for the Carmela Cup returns and will see the best teams from around the UK fighting to see if they can wrest the trophy from three times winners, Elmside Neighbours. Always a sell-out, get your entries in early. Enter as a team of two boats / 8 people.
Lochan Cup - 25th and 26th, Queen Mary, 2 boat team racing (with Spinnakers)
The Lochan Cup, the UK Womens' keelboat Team Racing Championship returns and is attracting the attention of international teams, keen to line themselves up against the best of British Women's Team Racers, this event is sure to be a sell-out so sign up quickly. Enter as all female team of two boats / 8 people.
The Notice of Race for the One Day events can be found here and you can enter them here. The Notice of Race and Entry for the 2026 Championships will be released in due course.
Any questions relating to the Team Racing programme should be emailed to
We look forward to seeing you on the water!