RYA / UKTRA National Team Racing Championship 2026

Applications are open for the 2026 edition of the RYA/UKTRA National Team Racing Championship for the Prince Philip Trophy.

Up to 24 teams will be invited to compete in Firefly dinghies for the prestigious title over the weekend of 28-29 March at West Kirby Sailing Club.

As one of the premier events on the UK team racing circuit, the #rockupandrace championship will again bring together the country’s best team racers.

Teams of six sailors for the three-boat team racing event are urged submit their Request for Invite by no later than 12 noon on Tuesday 24 February. 

Organised by the UK Team Racing Association (UKTRA), RYA and West Kirby SC, the Notice of Race is available on the Official Noticeboard at kSail, where it will also be possible to keep up with all the latest results during the championship.

Applications are welcomed from RYA affiliated clubs, associations, individuals and universities, and from clubs affiliated to the Irish Sailing Association.

Event Coordinator Steve Watson from UKTRA said: “This is one of the biggest events in the team racing calendar and we’re looking forward welcoming the top teams from across the British Isles – you know who you are! 

“The deadline for applying is looming fast. Entry is limited to 24 teams and last year there were 30 requests for an invite, so if you want to play with the best, you’ll want to come to this event. Please do register your interest asap.” 

It is expected that among the 2026 entries will be the West Kirby Hawks looking for a home victory to claim the Prince Philip Trophy for a record eighth time after winning in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The 2025 winners were the Royal Thames Yacht Club Academy. 

All teams will be notified by 2 March 2026 whether their application has been accepted and an invitation offered, with the entry fee then payable by 1pm on 9 March 2026.

The UKTRA 2026 qualification points system will be used to offer invitations, taking into account the standings for each team’s top three sailors (helm or crew) based on performance over the last year, or a specified previous year, at key events.

Following the championship’s inauguration in 1969 it has traditionally rotated between West Kirby SC in the North West, Bough Beech SC in Kent and Spinnaker SC in Dorset, and also visited Oxford SC in 2025 for the first time in its history.

Clubs interested in hosting the event in future years are invited to get in touch, along with any race officials able to support the small army of volunteers who will be running this year’s event.

Request an invite to the RYA / UKTRA National Team Racing Championship 2026