Osprey National Championship 2025 at Mumbles Yacht Club

Osprey Nationals at Mumbles © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills

With the terrible weather of recent Osprey National Championships successfully banished this time around the competing 36 teams were treated to some epic and at times fruity sailing in Swansea Bay hosted by the brilliant Mumbles Yacht Club.

An earlier than usual slot in the calendar this year brought the Nations travelling army together from the 3rd to the 6th of July. With teams coming from as far away as Scotland and even moral support from Australia and Germany. Every year the Osprey class continues to hold its own amongst the 2 handed symmetrical performance trapeze boats, and with a weather forecast that looked settled excitement was guaranteed. 8 races were scheduled and 8 were completed all under full power conditions for the most part with new levels of mast rake found for some.

Osprey Nationals at Mumbles - photo © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills

In summary the racing was simply epic, the sausage/triangle courses were set sympathetically for the conditions which all teams appreciated allowing enough of a challenge without the need to calculate on a do or die approach and keeping the middle and back of the fleet engaged in the racing until the end. The fight up at the front was impressive to watch through the spray with both Matt Burge/Phil Angrave & Terry Curtis/Peter Greig having to navigate traffic in order to lock horns in pursuit of the cup. Many other teams had their moment in the sun in fact too many to mention and if they could navigate the snakes and ladders up the beats all showed impressive speed once the corners were turned and spinnakers launched.

With winds building to a very fruity level for a period on the final day many teams experienced the delights of an involuntary swim in the bay, however the eventual National Champion helm Matt Burge elected to don his swim suit and pop in for a few miles of swim practice for his upcoming Iron Man before going afloat, just to limber up for the racing ahead watched by the rest of the fleet who were drinking coffee and eating bacon baps from the pier in amazement. Paddy Lewis was seen offering Matt some performance enhancing gel that he recently acquired from Steve George but at the time of writing it is not known if this was applied in any way.

Osprey Nationals at Mumbles - photo © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills

By the final race of the series several boats had decided that they could have no more fun so elected for the early shower, a few had breakages most notably Ben Townsend and Ed Richardson who are making great gains in the fleet which may be why the boat is protesting at the extra strain being applied. This crew is one to watch for sure and great to see. The launch and recovery from the slipway was also a demonstration of Osprey commitment with long time Osprey supporter John Shenton wading in neck deep each day to ensure everyone made it in and out safely. A brave and selfless act if ever there was one and very welcome by all.

The club did an amazing job of hosting the fleet, welcoming, relaxed, professional just a few of the comments that were made. The evening meals which were all included in the entry fee were served with great efficiency and the class dinner on the final night was a spectacular achievement running to no less than 4 courses, no one left hungry and we eat a lot. A quiz, a band and plenty of entertainment by Osprey legend Oscar Chess and his incredible collection of all things remote controlled kept everyone entertained throughout. And then to top everything off the club organised a weekend airshow for the fleet as well - I don't think that will ever be beaten.

Matt Burge & Phil Angrave win the Osprey Nationals at Mumbles - photo © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills

A few individual mentions from the event:

• Wooden Ospreys are still showing what can be done with 2nd and 3rd place this year - older yes but not slow.
• Roger and Jamie Blake are still annoyingly fast after a recent mast failure which bodes well for this year's Sail juice series.
• Ian Cadwallader and Mike Cox sailing 1357 put in a great performance to finish 5th in their first Osprey Nationals
• Mike Fenwick, taking time out of the International Canoe commented he has never sailed anything so stable with effortless speed and room to store your lunch, and your canoe! He may struggle on his return but we hope to see more of him steering 1175 as he was certainly Able Too! Finishing 7th overall.
• Arthur Butler is now asking for an appearance fee from Alec Mamwell after a good showing guesting with Richard (Basher) Marshall at this event finishing 8th, although Richard was also overheard trying to purchase the services of Mark Mawhinney on the penultimate night.
• 1276 & 1298 for some brilliant early starts and race results and a good nose for red wine.
• 1340 Joe Cross and Emily Cross really getting to grips with the boat now and stiff competition. Emily rightly winning the top lady crew award as well for a fantastic performance.
• 1322 and the boys from Emsworth, ballistic in a breeze they just need stronger kit to be at the front all the time.
• 1291 Team Willis for patching up Nick and his efforts in obvious physical pain throughout, face up spread eagle on the bow whilst ashore giving the local tourists a scare, its hoped that soon his back will be able to be straightened along with his mast after a Genoa halyard failure...time for Carbon Nick.
• Weymouth finally wrestling the team prize away from Poole A, a hotly contested trophy each year.

Weymouth win the Team Prize during the Osprey Nationals at Mumbles - photo © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills

Finally from all of the Osprey family to the host club and all the volunteers including of course the Osprey WAG's who worked tirelessly to ensure we could all have the best time, if you weren't there then you really did miss out this time around, so if you are reading this then start to plan for 2026 and the return of the class to Mounts Bay in Cornwall. If you don't own an Osprey or have not sailed one then get in touch via the Website and Facebook pages. We want you involved! And have a new class boat for loan at no cost to allow you to try before you buy. Also agreed at the AGM this year was the option to add a second trapeze if you fancy sailing with a young crew, perhaps as a family or if you have young club members that want to try an event as a 3-up team. Subject to a case by case approval and encouraged by the membership to make the class even more accessible.

Thank-you also to our title sponsors Craftinsure, along with Hartley Boats for the continued and valued sponsorship of the class, enabling more teams to participate. And the support of Clamcleat, Rain and Sun, Allen, Sea Sure and Fernhurst Books.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Osprey nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

Osprey Nationals at Mumbles - photo © Ingrid Cooney, Simon Edwards, Annick Wills