On the water
The key events, races and people of the summer - from Olympic prep to the Inclusive Games
RACING
Golden state
With a medal haul at the Long Beach and San Pedro Regattas – held at the venues for the 2028 Olympics – the Brits are off to a good start
You could call it the perfect preparation for LA28: the British Sailing Team enjoyed a hugely encouraging summer on the waters of Los Angeles, winning eight medals across ten Olympic classes at two test events: the Long Beach and San Pedro Olympic Classes Regattas.
British Sailing Team windsurfer Emma Wilson topped a world-class iQFOiL fleet to claim the gold medal at Long Beach. There were encouraging performances from her teammates in the iQFOiL class, too. Islay Watson secured a top ten finish in the women’s fleet, while Andy Brown won bronze in the men’s event – his first major medal since becoming world champion last year.
San Pedro saw further highlights. Hannah Snellgrove claimed an incredible ILCA 6 gold, while Welshman Micky Beckett took bronze in the ILCA 7. And Martin Wrigley and Bettine Harris had a month to remember, winning gold on LA waters before claiming their first 470 world title in Enoshima, Japan.
John Gimson and Anna Burnet took silver in the Nacra 17, while James Grummett and Rhos Hawes - recently crowned European champions in Eckernförde, Germany – continued their fine form with silver in the 49er. Paris Olympians Freya Black and Saskia Tidey completed the podium places with bronze in the 49erFX – their first major medal of the season.
With two years till LA28, the results are an early indication of Team GB's strength.
RACING
The future is bright
The British Sailing Youth Team has continued the pattern of international success with a series of podium finishes at major championships.
At the iQFOiL Youth and Junior World Championships in Costa Brava, Spain, Sophie Clark claimed silver in the iQFOiL class. This adds a world medal to an impressive season that has also seen her win the RYA Youth Nationals title.
British Sailing's pathway athletes also caught the eye in the Formula Kite Youth European Championships at Hang Loose in Italy. Archie Budd was crowned Under-17 European Champion, while Charlie Mann took bronze in the Under-17 fleet and Ben Field secured bronze in the Under-19 category. The trio's performances highlight the depth of emerging talent across Britain's youth kiteboarding programme.
RACING
The future is bright
The British Sailing Youth Team has continued the pattern of international success with a series of podium finishes at major championships.
At the iQFOiL Youth and Junior World Championships in Costa Brava, Spain, Sophie Clark claimed silver in the iQFOiL class. This adds a world medal to an impressive season that has also seen her win the RYA Youth Nationals title.
British Sailing's pathway athletes also caught the eye in the Formula Kite Youth European Championships at Hang Loose in Italy. Archie Budd was crowned Under-17 European Champion, while Charlie Mann took bronze in the Under-17 fleet and Ben Field secured bronze in the Under-19 category. The trio's performances highlight the depth of emerging talent across Britain's youth kiteboarding programme.
RACING
Inclusive sailing
takes centre stage
The waters of Weymouth and Portland provided the ideal backdrop for a remarkable celebration of competitive sailing and inclusion at July's Inclusive Games
Incorporating both the UK Open Challenger Championship and the Hansa National Championships, the 2026 Inclusive Games welcomed sailors from across the UK to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.
Across two days of racing, participants competed in six classes, with close racing, changing conditions and impressive performances. The event showcased the very best of inclusive sailing, from seasoned national champions to those experiencing their first major regatta. Competitors of all ages and abilities shared the same racecourses, proving that sailing is a sport where determination, skill and teamwork matter more than physical ability.
Teamwork on display
Frensham Pond Sailability enjoyed a great weekend, with their sailors featuring prominently. Lindsay Burns claimed the Hansa 2.3 National Championship, while Lynne and Stuart Swan took top honours in the Hansa 303 two-person class. The club also celebrated a Liberty class victory for Mike Everitt, and several podium finishes.
The largest fleet of the regatta, the Hansa 303 one-person class, produced some of the weekend's closest racing. Rory McKinna of Clyde Cruising Club emerged as champion after a consistently strong series, with Sophie Brisley of Whitefriars Sailing Club finishing as runner-up and Margaret Foreman, again representing Frensham Pond Sailability, completing the podium.
The UK Open Challenger Championship was equally competitive, with Graham Hall taking the title ahead of James Coxon and Val Millward after a closely contested series that showcased the performance and accessibility of the Challenger class.
In the Keelboat League, teams from Blind Sailing and GBR Deaf Sailing went head-to-head aboard the RYA's Elliott keelboats. Blind Sailing sighted tactician Jonny Cormack helped secure overall victory after an excellent weekend of tactical racing, while fellow Blind Sailing teams filled the remaining podium places. GBR Deaf Sailing also produced strong performances throughout the regatta.
Inspired to get involved?
If all this action has got you raring to go, there are numerous opportunities to experience inclusive sailing available throughout the UK. Local Sailability groups and sailing clubs welcome newcomers of all ages and abilities, offering the chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and enjoy the unique freedom that sailing provides.
To find out more, visit rya.org.uk/morethansailing
Incorporating both the UK Open Challenger Championship and the Hansa National Championships, the 2026 Inclusive Games welcomed sailors from across the UK to the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.
Across two days of racing, participants competed in six classes, with close racing, changing conditions and impressive performances. The event showcased the very best of inclusive sailing, from seasoned national champions to those experiencing their first major regatta. Competitors of all ages and abilities shared the same racecourses, proving that sailing is a sport where determination, skill and teamwork matter more than physical ability.
Teamwork on display
Frensham Pond Sailability enjoyed a great weekend, with their sailors featuring prominently. Lindsay Burns claimed the Hansa 2.3 National Championship, while Lynne and Stuart Swan took top honours in the Hansa 303 two-person class. The club also celebrated a Liberty class victory for Mike Everitt, and several podium finishes.
The largest fleet of the regatta, the Hansa 303 one-person class, produced some of the weekend's closest racing. Rory McKinna of Clyde Cruising Club emerged as champion after a consistently strong series, with Sophie Brisley of Whitefriars Sailing Club finishing as runner-up and Margaret Foreman, again representing Frensham Pond Sailability, completing the podium.
The UK Open Challenger Championship was equally competitive, with Graham Hall taking the title ahead of James Coxon and Val Millward after a closely contested series that showcased the performance and accessibility of the Challenger class.
In the Keelboat League, teams from Blind Sailing and GBR Deaf Sailing went head-to-head aboard the RYA's Elliott keelboats. Blind Sailing sighted tactician Jonny Cormack helped secure overall victory after an excellent weekend of tactical racing, while fellow Blind Sailing teams filled the remaining podium places. GBR Deaf Sailing also produced strong performances throughout the regatta.
Inspired to get involved?
If all this action has got you raring to go, there are numerous opportunities to experience inclusive sailing available throughout the UK. Local Sailability groups and sailing clubs welcome newcomers of all ages and abilities, offering the chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded people and enjoy the unique freedom that sailing provides.
To find out more, visit rya.org.uk/morethansailing
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