British Keelboat League returns to Rutland Sailing Club

Enter now to #rockupandrace RS21s with the BKL at top inland venue

08 Jul 25

Fleet of five RS21s lining up for the start of a British Keelboat League race alongside committee boat at Rutland SC.

The British Keelboat League is returning to Rutland Sailing Club for another weekend of fast and fun racing at the premier inland venue.

A BKL bonanza at Rutland in February 2025 saw nearly a dozen teams battling it out over two days of intense short course racing. The popular national keelboat series is now getting set for a second qualifier to be hosted by the club, 19-20 July.

The aim is to run a packed schedule of 40 races of around 15 minutes over the weekend, giving up to 12 teams a chance to compete in around 20 races each in the club’s RS21s.

As Event Director David Wilkins explains: “The beauty of it is that if you get one start or your first beat wrong, there’ll soon be another one, and we often see teams pulling up through the results as their tactics and boat handling develop over the weekend in the RS21s, which are an ideal keelboat for any good club racer.

“Our British Keelboat League winter event in February was practically sold out with 11 teams smashing out a non-stop weekend of hugely competitive tight racing. We’re looking forward to more of the same at our upcoming summer BKL event!”

Enter now for the British Keelboat League at Rutland Sailing Club.

The #rockupandrace format is suitable for all racing sailors from any discipline and one of the first teams to enter the latest Rutland event – having enjoyed their first BKL experience at the club in February – are previous entrants Derbyshire Youth Sailing.

Three teams racing RS21s with white spinnakers flying in the sunshine at Rutland Sailing Club.

An optional, free afternoon of sailing will be available at the club on the Friday of the event weekend for teams to practise and get up to speed in the RS21 keelboats.

Entry will again also include a three-course Saturday evening meal for all competitors and with affordable on-site accommodation options, including Rutland SC’s bunk rooms and a campsite opposite, it is set to be an enjoyable BKL evening.

The BKL is noted for its friendly, sociable and supportive atmosphere both on the water and ashore, and welcomes entries from teams representing their club, class association, school, university or group of friends.

The top three from the Rutland event will be invited to the 2025 BKL final, which will be hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club at Cowes in September, and from there could win a place to compete in the European SAILING Champions League 2026.

Find out more and enter at British Keelboat League.