10 Rater UK Rankings at Datchet Water Radio Sailing Club
by Richard Jones 9 Feb 11:10 PST
7-8 February 2026
10 Rater UK Rankings 1&2 at Datchet © Richard Jones
Rain and cool weather, with 5-10mph breezes, greeted seven competitors to Datchet's north course for the UK Ten Rater Class Ranking events 1&2 of 2026.
Despite A-Rig winds, PRO, Hugh McAdoo and his race team put in 16 races for Ranking 1 on the Saturday and 12 races for Ranking 2 on the Sunday. Competitors had a terrific workout to start their season.
On Saturday, through a fair bit of rain, Graham Bantock of Chelmsford put in a dominant and consistent performance with six wins in 16 races, discarding 4ths to win the day and Ranking 1. Graham finished three points ahead of Austin Guerrier. Full credit must go to Rohan Williams in third place in his very smart new Trance Ten Rater, on its only second serious event.
Sunday greeted entrants with slightly less breeze, but at least weather conditions were free of rain. What a day, Sunday's Ranking 2 turned out to be. Out of the box, David Lindsay sailing his previous Worlds winning Diamond was simply red hot. The race team managed to stage four races by the lunch break and David grabbed three bullets out of four.
However, David had to leave for Sweden after lunch leaving the whole remaining 8 races up for grabs all over again. What a nail biter that turned out to be. It was exceptionally close racing for the Ranking 2 title between Graham Bantock and Datchet's Austin Guerrier.
In the end, it was consistency that won out. Austin Guerrier took the event by one point overall - with two wins and an armful of second places, discarding thirds. Third place went to Phil Holliday with his Blade design boat.
Datchet hopes to see everyone again for the UK Nationals in September.
Ranking 1 results:
1. Graham Bantock 22 pts
2. Austin Guerrier 25 pts
3. Rohan Williams 34 pts
Ranking 2 results:
1. Austin Guerrier 18 pts
2. Graham Bantock 19 pts
3. Phil Holliday 27 pts