Double bill for British Keelboat League
A double bill for the British Keelboat League at opposite ends of the UK saw 22 teams competing at sold out events in Scotland and on the south coast.
Conditions over the weekend (22-23 March 2025) allowed a packed schedule of fast turnaround racing for both the Scottish Student Sailing (SSS) Keelboat Championship and the Boysterous Cup hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
The top three teams from each event are now celebrating their podium-winning results and those eligible for the British Keelboat League final were presented tickets to compete in Cowes at the end of the season.
BKL Coordinator Peter Ward said: “It was another fantastic weekend for the British Keelboat League. Huge congratulations to the winning teams and as ever a big thank you to the host clubs and all the volunteers who make these events happen."
SSS Keelboat Championship
The Scottish Student Sailing Keelboat Championship saw 12 teams representing five universities battling for victory at Port Edgar Yacht Club.
Sailing 707s at this classic venue on the Forth Estuary, close racing culminated in an extremely close fight for second overall, with only 1 point between the teams at the end.
The top team from Strathclyde University meanwhile ran away with a 100% win rate and had taken overall victory with one less race completed.
Robbie Littlefield, Event Organiser and a member of the winning Strathclyde University team, said: “Sailing conditions were challenging with wind over tide, short chop and light and shifting winds on both mornings. The conditions allowed teams to take advantage of these factors, which when played correctly paid dividends.”
The top three teams qualifying for the BKL Final were:
- 1st Strath One: James Gifford, Robbie Littlefield, Lilli Bell, Oli Dunton, William O’Keefe
- 2nd Strath Two: Fraser Patrick, Oswin Ashwood, Freya Sharp, Oliver Sumner, Wilson Beer
- 3rd Dundee: Fergus Wilson, Alastair McKinnon, Ruth Neville, Euan Urquart, Nathan Mccabe
Robbie added: “We are mainly glad that there wasn’t a drop of rain the whole time we were out! I’m really happy the event took place, it was an extremely fun and I’m glad to see it getting more students into the keelboating.
“A massive shout out to Eilidh Miller, who was the most amazing PRO and couldn’t have been more helpful on the run up to the event. Most of the people around me brought different ideas to the table and it was well run during the days of racing.”
Results summary - Scottish Universities BKL Championship.
Boysterous Cup
The Boysterous Cup at the Royal Southern Yacht Club was also a British Keelboat League and University Sailing League event.
Attracting 10 teams to 'rock up and race' in J70s on The Solent, and with near ideal conditions, the race committee managed to deliver 26 races across the two days.
The Saturday evening also saw the inaugural 'Boysterous Bash' - a party for competitors, club members and JOG yacht racing sailors – with a great time had by all.
Royal Southern Yacht Club Junior Academy Team Green demonstrated impressive winning ways to claim overall victory, with two teams from Solent University Sailing Club taking second and third respectively.
The winning team was skippered by Caedon Faulkner-Leask from Royal Southern YC’s new Junior Academy, who have been training in the J/70s over the winter.
Results summary - Boysterous Cup.
The top three teams:
- 1st Royal Southern Yacht Club / Junior Academy Green: Caedon Faulkner-Leask, Charlie Hill, Sam Peattue, Arthur, Maddie Kirk
- 2nd Solent University Sailing Club / Solent Red: Matt Taylor, Akira Blackah, Kristian Barker, Reuben Withington
- 3rd Solent University Sailing Club, Solent Black: Tiarnan Brown, James Alexander, Tom Twist, Szymon M, Leo Wilkinson
Meeting the requirements to qualify for the British Keelboat League final in September 2025 were Solent Red, Southampton Sailing Club / Team Kernow in 5th (Charlie Ellse, Ella Newman, Jacob Sewell, Lia Fletcher, Freddie Westwell) and Marconi in 7th (David Nickalls, Alex Maloney, Sam Featherstone, Mia Morgan).
Take part
With the last four events of the British Keelboat League 2025 all having sold out, excitement is now building for the BKL’s return to the east coast.
The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club is looking forward to hosting teams over the weekend of 26-27 April 2025 with its ready-to-go shiny fleet of 707 keelboats.
With professional on-water organisation and superb shoreside facilities - including affordable cabin rooms and on-site camping options - and easy travelling from London and the southeast, competitors are urged to enter now to secure their place.
Sign up for the BKL at Royal Corinthian Yacht Club.
Entries are also open for the Women’s BKL Championship in J70s at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, 31 May-1 June 2025, which for the fifth year will be part of the annual Women’s Open Keelboat Championships.
The BKL welcomes entries from teams representing their club, class association, school, university or group of friends, with the top three from each event invited to the final. This will be hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club at Cowes, Isle of Wight, 19-21 September 2025, and will see teams competing for the title and also for selection to go forward to compete the European SAILING Champions League.
Find out more and join in at British Keelboat League.