J/111 UK Nationals 2026 Preview: Close Racing Guaranteed on the Solent
by J/111 UK Class 10 Feb 06:21 PST
17-19 July 2026
J/111 UK Nationals racing © Paul Wyeth /
www.pwpictures.com
The J/111 UK National Championship returns to the Solent from Friday 17 to Sunday 19 July 2026, hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club and run from the Hamble River. With a reputation for tight one-design racing and competitive fleets, the event promises another high-intensity weekend of performance sailing.
Adding to the atmosphere, the J Cup UK will take place on the same weekend, bringing the J community together both on and off the water.
Few boats inspire the same loyalty as the J/111. Long-time owner Tony Mack sums it up neatly: "I have owned 6 racing yachts and, without doubt, the J111 is my favourite. A boat that is fast in the light, planes in a breeze is great fun" That blend of pace and accessibility is exactly why recent UK Nationals have gone down to the wire, often being decided in the final race on the final day.
The appeal goes deeper than pure speed. The J/111's owner-driver rule, allowance of just one Category 3 professional, and a strict two-new-sails-per-year limit keep the class refreshingly free of an arms race. For many teams, it's the ideal step up from displacement racing into something more dynamic, without sacrificing fairness or affordability.
The strength of the class is clear to see across the Solent. Week in, week out, J/111s line up to deliver relentlessly close racing. At the J Cup, boats JourneyMaker 11, Frequent Flyer and Jagerbomb traded wins throughout the series, before the same names — joined by McFly — continued their points-tight battles across the season. Margins are small, mistakes are punished, and consistency is king.
Fast, physical and uncompromising, the J/111 fleet is very much alive — and growing. For owners looking to join the action, Key Yachting currently have a couple of J/111s on brokerage, making this an ideal time to get involved with one of the UK's most competitive one-design classes.
Entries for the 2026 J/111 UK Nationals are expected to be strong. If you enjoy hard racing, tight rules and a fleet where every race matters, this is one Solent fixture not to miss.