Musto Lark National Championship 2026 hosted by Fowey Sailing - Runners and Riders
by Nigel Scott 16 Jul 06:51 PDT
26-29 July 2026
The Lark fleet ready to start a Nationals race © Robert Deaves /
www.robertdeaves.uk
The Musto Lark Nationals (26th-29th July) revisits the iconic Cornish venue of Fowey for the first time in 32 years! Combined with a strong growth in the Lark fleet, this stunning venue has already attracted over 40 entries (31 last year). The hotly contested championship sees a huge influx of new youth sailors who will pit their wits against many seasoned Lark sailors, which should deliver champagne sailing and tight tactical racing.
The Musto-sponsored event means there will be prizes through the fleet, there will be the usual mix of great sailing and family-friendly fun. Find out more on the event website. If you want to join us, we still have boats available to borrow - contact .
The fleet is deep and competitive, with six of the helms and five of the crews having lifted the Silver Lark trophy before, so we've narrowed it down to the top ten contenders and those to watch in the Category Prizes.
Top ten contenders
Ed Bradburn & Holly Evans - Won the championship in 2023 and were 2nd in 2024, with gear failure ruining their chances last year. A dominant win at both the Winters and Shustoke shows form, although with light airs this season, it is hard to tell who is on form.
Stuart & Nick Hydon - Twice winners and looking for another win. Came 2nd last year. Brilliant tactics and boat speed and an uncanny ability to thread their way through the fleet. They have also shown form with victories at Frensham and Banbury Opens this year.
Chris & Nic White - Chris is one of only two people to have won the Larks as both helm (twice) and crew. Nic won with Chris in 2021 and they have been 3rd for the last two years. They are blistering in a breeze and are definitely ones to watch.
John Brickwood & Andy Hicks - Three-times winner John is reunited with his championship winning crew Andy. John has recently had a serious operation on his ankle, but a dominant win at the recent Weymouth Open proved he is still very agile in a boat.
Ollie Meadowcroft & Becky Caiger - although brand new to Lark sailing, Ollie Meadowcroft won the Fireflys last year, and was 3rd at the Scorpions, so he brings a pedigree from outside the class. Sailing the newly tuned HD Sails works boat, they'll be a force to be reckoned with.
James Goss & Anna Aylward - making a welcome return to the class in a brand new Synergy Lark, James won convincingly in 2019 with Chris White as his crew. Although he's had a break from Lark, James has kept his hand in Merlin's, so he'll be challenging the leaders.
Nigel Hufton & Chris Whitehouse - Nigel won the Champs as crew in 1994, last time the class visited Fowey, so he'll be looking for a victory as helm this time. Also in a brand new Synergy boat, he and Chris Whitehouse are sure to be up there winning races.
Tim Fells & Jerry Eplett - Reunited pairing Tim and Jerry, will be hoping Jerry's local knowledge (having grown up in Fowey), will help Tim the three-time Lark Champs winner back into a podium position, although both also like to lead in the bar as well!
Guy Brearey & Holly McArthur - First-timer last year, Guy achieved a remarkable 5th overall. Will they be able to go that bit further this year, and challenge for the podium. Pairing with talented Merlin and sometime Lark sailor Holly, fresh from Merlin Salcombe Week.
Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood - Cadet National Champion and Worlds runner-up, Alex has been going really well sailing with crew Hettie. Expect awesome speed from the Lark Youth Champions if it is light and shifty. They are strong starters and have excellent big fleet tactics.
Category prizes
As always, there will be strong competition and lots of fun, for the category prizes.
First Female Helm - Past Cadet champion Hannah Carruthers is a rising star in the fleet, but she will be challenged by past National Champion Emma Harris, now sailing with returning star crew David Marlow. Or will ex 49erFX sailor Megan Dickson sailing with husband Connor, show her Olympic campaign form to get her name on the Trophy.
First helm 25 and under - With Youth sailors making up over 25% of the fleet this will be a close fought battle between class newcomer Ollie Meadowcroft, Hannah Carruthers, George Graham and Ethan Davey all of whom have 1/2 Lark Nationals under their belts.
First helm 21 and under - This could be one of the most hotly contested trophies this year; will it be class newcomer Cadet champion Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood, Jack Hodgkins & Olly Hateley, George Cox-Olliff & Tom Krailing or Jai & Amba Sanehi?
Highest-placed Married Couple - Chris & Nic White will battle out with Harry Pynn & Gemma Cook, but could the ever-improving Jonny Coate & Kate Phillips deliver an upset?
Winner of 'Silver Fleet' - This looks to be a battle between seasoned 'Silver fleet' campaigners like Steve Chatten & Kirsty Phipps and Dan Watson & Nat Bannister, versus rising stars George Graham & Jess Hooker and ex Cadet stars Ethan Davey & Rory Stretch.
Winner of 'Bronze Fleet' - The Weymouth youths are likely to be fighting hard for this trophy, but look out for returning fleet sailors Andy Cox, Jo Tribe & Jason Phelps or Fowey locals Phil Henson & Mandie Parker, Phil Russ & Adam Joyce, and Colin & Joe Gibbon.
First helm in the Crews' Race - The crews' race is always as closely-fought as the main event - it's called the 'Hard to be Humble' trophy for a reason! This year, look out for Tegwyn Roberts, Chris Whitehouse, Nick Hydon, Jess Hooker, Mia Hateley and Tom Krailing.
It should be an amazing four days of close racing, fantastic socials and sun, sea and pasties that only Fowey can deliver.
Event website: larkclass.org/2026-musto-lark-national-championships