Osprey National Championship 2026 - Runners & Riders
by Peter Greig 20 Aug 02:15 PDT
3-7 September 2026
2024 Southern Area Championship at Mount's Bay © Dan Vincent
The 2026 Osprey Nationals return to the iconic Mount's Bay for the 2026 edition over the 3rd to 6th September. Locations like this attract top teams, and this year boasts one of the most competitive fleets for years.
With a blend of former champions, rising combinations, and seasoned campaigners, the battle for the podium will be fierce from the first gun. Below is a "runners and riders" preview of the key teams to watch — each bringing a distinct style, history, and threat level to the championship.
Elite Contenders
Matt Rainback & Phil Angrave
Following Matt Burge very ably deputising last year, the powerhouse pairing and the benchmark for the fleet are reunited for the 2026 edition. Rainback's sharp tactical instincts combined with Angrave's calm, clinical crew work makes them the team everyone measures themselves against. Their boat handling is exceptional, and their downwind pace has repeatedly broken fleets apart. Champions of 2023 & 2024, with Phil also taking the title with Matt Burge in 2025, this team comes with a huge target on their back but remain the one's to beat.
DJ Edwards & Mike Greig
Edwards is one of the most decorated helms in the class and comes fresh from regaining the Fireball World title. Pairing with Mike Greig, the Cornish giant competing on his home waters, gives this team a formidable blend of experience and raw speed. This pairing last competed together in 2019 and comfortably took the title, that edition also sailed in Mount's Bay. Could lightening strike twice for them? Their ability to get out of jail with DJ's refined ability, and with incomparable speed in 15 kts+, this team could be electric should Mount's Bay delivers to it's traditional weather conditions.
Terry Curtis & Peter Greig
A legendary helm with a long history of top tier results, Curtis brings unmatched boat knowledge and race craft. Peter Greig's athletic crew work and tactical input make this a well-balanced, highly experienced team. Having raced together since 2015, this pairing is well-seasoned and have won virtually everything the class has to offer during that time, including 2 nationals titles and multiple podium positions. Their performance in the breezier 2nd half of the 2025 nationals meant the title was taken to a final race shoot out against Burge & Angrave, and showed that they still have the ability to string together a strong series.
But these teams will definitely not have it all their own way, as results in the teens or beyond are a distinct possibility should they not be on top of their game.
Serious Podium Threats
Roger Blake & Jamie Blake
The Blake family pairing continues to climb the rankings with impressive speed and improving consistency. Their MkVI boat is quick, and Jamie's sharp spinnaker work gives them an edge in tight downwind packs. If they string together clean starts, they are certainly a top 5 five team, but could easily challenge for race wins and the podium.
Martin Cooney & Peter Frith
A team with proven Nationals pedigree, Cooney & Frith combine smooth boat handling with a calm, methodical approach to fleet management. They are rarely far from the front in any conditions and tend to climb steadily through a series. With a combined age of about 220, they are known to tire in heavier winds, so will certainly be hoping for a forecast at the moderate end.
Ian Cadwallader & Alex Knight
A scratch pairing for this event but come with bags of ability and highly decorated in other classes. Cadwallader comfortably won the Flying Fifteen Nationals last month, whilst Alex can turn his hand to racing anything: a past Musto Skiff national champion and strong in everything from the RS400 to I14. We expect at least one race win from this duo but they certainly have the pedigree to be regarded as serious podium contenders.
Dark Horses & Breakthrough Candidates
Ben Townsend & Ed Richardson
A rapidly improving team with strong open meeting results. Townsend's tactical awareness has sharpened significantly over the past season, and Richardson's fitness and precision on the wire mean that the windier it gets, the faster they go. These boys are fearless and if they avoid big number races, and their boat holds together, a top 10 finish is well within reach.
Harriet & Midge Watkins
A pairing to underestimate at your peril. From sailing Mirror dinghies together, the sisters have accumulated vast racing experience across a range of dinghies and keelboats, from 420's, RS Elites and Cape 31's. Making use of the Osprey Association's class boat, they have a boat that is certainly quick enough to win races. They will not back down from a challenge either, so another pairing that could revel in shifty conditions and breeze.