The 2026 WASZP UK National Championship at Weymouth and Portland was anything but a routine event in the sailing calendar. What unfolded over four days was a dramatic blend of high-octane sailing, shifting winds and nail-biting competition. While some might expect regattas to follow predictable patterns, this event proved that the element of nature is just as decisive as the skills of the sailors. The wind, or lack thereof on the final day, played a key role in determining the outcome, just as much as the athletes' performance.
Wet conditions, tight racing
The competition began in the Harbour, with conditions perfectly suited to the race plan. A steady 10-14 knot breeze allowed the fleet to race cleanly. The fleet raced honestly over four windward-leewards. Max Rawlinson made a strong start with the first race win. James Deaton finished in second, Oscar Hoyle in third. By the end of the first day, the 7.5m rig division became a focal point. Intense competition emerged in the 7.5m rig division. Oscar Hoyle secured four consecutive first places. In the race for second and third in that category, Imogen Green demonstrated impressive consistency. Harry O'Callaghan, Raffy Seddon, and Stella Nygard each earned podium positions throughout the day.
As the second day unfolded, the intensity of the racing increased. The wind strength also increased. A 15-knot breeze, punctuated by gusts climbing into the 20s, made for thrilling sailing. The race team introduced two fast-paced races. The races were short-distance. The action turned into a high-stakes race. No one could afford to lose ground. Toby Smith and Thomas Dempsey were locked in a fierce battle. Max Rawlinson stayed close enough to threaten their lead. In the 7.5m division, the competition was similarly fierce. Raffy Seddon and Oscar Hoyle went head-to-head. Helena Mills Bowers entered the mix. The podium positions became an even tighter race.
Glamour and gusts in the bay
The third day was a picture of sailing at its finest. With the sun shining, the breeze remained steady. The steady breeze delivered consistent racing. The occasional gust added spice to the competition. Four more windward-leewards were raced. Toby Smith continued to dominate the podium positions. Max Rawlinson, Alex Jones, and Ben Whaley secured first-place finishes. Louis Voss rounded out the day in strong third. In the 7.5m rig division, the battle for supremacy was at its height. Oscar Hoyle and Stella Nygard traded race wins. Helena Mills Bowers remained in the mix. She pushed hard to hold her own. The final two races saw Oscar Hoyle claim the victories. Stella Nygard finished second in those races.
The fourth and final day was shaping up to be a dramatic conclusion. It was the conclusion to the regatta. The fleet and race team awaited a breeze. The breeze could deliver the final twist in the competition. But the wind failed to appear. The regatta entered a holding pattern. As hours passed with no signs of viable conditions, the decision was made. Racing for the day was abandoned. This meant the final standings were determined. The standings were based on the results from the first three days. The absence of a final race left the champions. Champions were crowned based on performance so far. They were not crowned on a last-gasp push to the finish line.
The final standings
Toby Smith was the standout performer in the men's division, taking the overall title after a series of closely contested races. Thomas Dempsey secured second place, and Max Rawlinson rounded out the podium in third. The women's division was no less thrilling, with only a single point separating the top two finishers. Stella Nygard emerged as the Women's National Champion, with Helena Mills Bowers just a point behind in second place. Imogen Green took third, completing the podium. The results from the 2026 WASZP UK Nationals reflected the high level of competition and the unpredictable nature of the conditions, making for an event that will be remembered as one of the most exciting in recent memory.