DF65 and DF95 TT finale at Fleetwood Model Yacht Club
by Nigel Barrow 14 Oct 03:10 AEDT
Wild conditions on Saturday Morning - DF65 and DF95 TT finale at Fleetwood © Nigel Barrow
Tushingham's Masterclass in Extremes Secures Another Title
From near-gale survival conditions to a day of ghosting zephyrs, the Fleetwood TT finale delivered two completely contrasting days of racing. Through it all, one constant remained: the remarkable dominance of John Tushingham.
There are trophies that bear many names, reflecting years of changing fortunes and shifting champions. Then there is the TT Trophy.
Since the competition began, one name has remained firmly engraved at the top of the results sheet: John Tushingham. As the fleet converged on Fleetwood for the final event of the TT circuit, the question on everyone's lips was simple: could anyone finally beat him?
The format offered two opportunities. Saturday would see the fleet racing DF65s, with DF95s taking centre stage on Sunday. As it transpired, the competitors would face two of the most contrasting days imaginable.
Surviving Saturday
Competitors arriving at Fleetwood on Saturday morning were greeted by a formidable challenge. Winds were blowing straight down the lake at between 18 and 28 knots, generating steep waves that threatened to overwhelm the DF65 fleet.
Any thoughts of immediate racing quickly disappeared. Boats that ventured onto the water were either swept away by the waves or driven downwind with their bows buried beneath the surface.
Recognising the severity of the conditions, Principal Race Officer Derek Priestley made the sensible decision to postpone racing for two hours. While sailors enjoyed coffee, conversation and the chance to catch up with friends, attention turned to the forecast and hopes of an improvement.
Patience was rewarded. As the morning progressed, the wind moderated sufficiently for racing to become a realistic possibility. Following an early lunch, the race team set a compact course at the upper end of the lake, avoiding the larger and potentially damaging waves further downwind.
Even then, conditions remained challenging.
Twenty two DF65s launched into a punishing beat. Tacking proved difficult, with several skippers electing to gybe around rather than risk becoming stranded head-to-wind in the gusts.
The opening race produced one of the day's few departures from the script, with Nigel Barrow taking victory ahead of John Brierley and John Tushingham. From that point onwards, however, Tushingham demonstrated why he remains the benchmark in DF racing.
Five race wins and two second places left the rest of the fleet struggling to keep pace. While rivals suffered occasional mistakes or difficult races, Tushingham's consistency never wavered as he cruised to another convincing event victory.
The short course and abbreviated races did little to lessen the physical and mental demands. Every upwind leg was a battle, every tack a calculated risk, and every downwind run required constant concentration to keep the bow above water. After eight hard-fought races, sailors were more than ready to retire to the clubhouse. There are a couple of videos of the conditions on Fleetwood Model Yacht Club Facebook page.
From Storm Force to Flat Calm
If Saturday was all about survival, Sunday was a lesson in patience.
Competitors arrived expecting another difficult day but instead found a lake resembling polished glass. The only movement came from cormorants, swans and gulls searching for food across the water's surface.
For many race teams, such conditions might have signalled a day of postponements. Fleetwood's volunteers, however, were determined to provide racing whenever possible. As soon as the slightest breath of wind appeared, the fleet was launched.
The breeze fluctuated between light airs and complete calm, creating a fascinating tactical challenge for the 31 DF95's sailing as one fleet. Boats regularly drifted to a standstill, while isolated pockets of pressure became priceless commodities.
Once again, the outstanding performer was Tushingham.
Where others saw frustration, he saw opportunity. Time after time he identified the next whisper of breeze and converted it into decisive gains. Regardless of his position in the fleet, he appeared able to work his way inexorably towards the front.
Behind him, the chasing pack endured a mixture of bad luck, weed encounters and head-scratching moments as they attempted to decipher Fleetwood's elusive wind patterns.
By the fifth race, a steadier breeze had finally established itself down the lake, producing the best racing of the day. Nigel Barrow, Ted Johnston, Peter Baldwin and John Brierley all mounted challenges, separated by only a handful of points, but none could consistently threaten the leader.
Fleetwood Delivers
While the weather dominated discussions throughout the weekend, Fleetwood's race team deserves enormous credit for delivering competitive racing in conditions that ranged from extreme to almost non-existent.
Alongside efficient race management came Fleetwood's renowned hospitality, with sailors enjoying a steady supply of tea, coffee, toast and cakes between races.
It would have been easy to cancel and send everyone home. Instead, the club found a way to put competitors on the water and provide a memorable weekend of racing. As Tushingham demonstrated, even in the lightest and most complex conditions, there were always opportunities waiting to be discovered for those capable of reading the signs.
TT Circuit Final Standings
When the scores from the entire TT series were finally calculated, it was no surprise to see John Tushingham once again crowned overall champion.
The leading positions were:
1. John Tushingham 595
2. Nigel Barrow 591
3. Paul Robson 552
4. Peter Baldwin 544
5. Buzz Coleman 524
6. Dorian Crease 516
Saturday and Sunday and the Overall TT results: dfracinguk.com/results-2026
Following the prize-giving, John Tushingham thanked the Fleetwood team for a great weekend, and competitors departed looking forward to returning next season.
UK Team Heads to DF95 Global Championship
Attention now turns to the 2026 DF95 Global Championship in South Africa, where a strong British contingent will be seeking international success.
Representing the UK will be:
Paul Robson (97), UK National Champion
David Adams (65)
Mike Weston (11)
John Tushingham (51)
Jim La Roche (57)
Paul Middleton (06)
Craig Richards (112), defending DF95 Global Champion
The championship will be hosted by Cape Radio Yacht Club in conjunction with Theewater Sports Club at Theewaterskloof Dam, running from 16 to 23 October 2026.
The UK will also be represented within race management, with experienced race officer Wayne Stobbs serving as Principal Race Officer for the event. Having overseen numerous major DF championships in the UK, Stobbs brings significant expertise to the role and will be tasked with delivering race management worthy of the sport's premier international event.
With both the reigning Global Champion and current UK National Champion among the British entries, expectations are high for a strong performance.
The entire UK radio sailing community will be watching with interest and wishing the team every success.
Fair winds to Paul, David, Mike, John, Jim, Paul and Craig, and best wishes to Wayne Stobbs and the race management team for a successful championship.