British Keelboat Academy secures the Channel Challenge Cup

British Keelboat Academy secures the Channel Challenge Cup (l to r) David Aisher (left), Henry Smith, Andrew McIrvine © Andrew McIrvine

Sailors from the British Keelboat Academy claimed the Channel Challenge Cup in the RORC Channel Race on Saturday (30 July) as the BKA crew on board David Aisher's J/109, Yeoman of Wight, finished the 122 mile race in remarkable style.

A total of 98 yachts took to the waters in what started out as light fickle winds, however as the day went on the breeze eventually filled in and sailors enjoyed some superb racing in great sailing conditions.

With the event being the last RORC offshore race before the prestigious Rolex Fastnet Race, the British Keelboat Academy sailors illustrated their intentions in what was seen as a dress rehearsal for the highlight of the racing season.

Henry Smith, Yeoman of Wight's skipper and BKA member, commented: “It was a great team effort and we are absolutely delighted with our win. We entered the race with a number of aims in preparation for the Fastnet Race, with our priority being to finish top three in class three and to be top J109. We then set out to improve the crews watch transitions as well as increase familiarity with the boat and sail choices.”

“Preparation for the event was a similar approach to other events previously attended. The crew met the day before to prepare the boat and food, checking and packing sails and double checking safety gear.

“The most positive element of this race was the crew’s proactivity, ensuring we had the correct sail up at all times - proving crucial to the overall result.”

The BKA, the joint keelboat racing initiative between the RYA and UKSA, used this event as the perfect opportunity to tune themselves, their equipment and their boat prior to the launch of the Rolex Fastnet Race on August 14th.

Smith added: “This race proved a steep learning curve for our boat and sail handling, while also learning how the boat likes to be sailed. Due to the nature of the crew, there has also been a large amount of learning for some of the less experienced members who have all reacted and learnt positively.

“This result has also given the crew a further boost leading up to the Fastnet, while also increasing the team’s ambition for the upcoming challenge.”

The BKA sailors carry out a large amount of planning in order for them to undertake their campaigns, which have been made easier by the kindness of the RORC, other sponsors and David Aisher who generously lends the use of his J/109 to the British Keelboat Academy.

“I am very proud of their achievement” commented David Aisher. "The average age of the team is just twenty-one, and this is a great boost to their confidence before the Rolex Fastnet Race, which is just a few weeks away."

Luke McCarthy, BKA Head Coach, said: “Sailors have organised all aspects of the campaign themselves, including preparing the boat, raising money, safety requirements, and food. We have provided them with input and direction as needed, but essentially this is their campaign.”

“To finish the Channel Race at the top of the fleet and to walk away with the Channel Challenge Cup is a great achievement for the BKA sailors. With less than two weeks to go until the most pivotal event of the season, it certainly bodes well and I’m certain the sailors will gain an unforgettable experience which will benefit their future sailing careers,” concluded McCarthy.

For full results and more information about the RORC Channel Race visit www.rorc.org

For further information regarding the Rolex Fastnet Race visit www.fastnet.rorc.org

The BKA’s sponsors include X-Ray at 77 and Group Dental, plus a number of generous supporters and suppliers.

For more information about the British Keelboat Academy and how you can help with fundraising, please visit the BKA website at www.britishkeelboatacademy.org, or follow the BKA on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BritishKeelboatAcademy or on Twitter (@tweetbka).