Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series - Arran Holman wins again, this time at the Brass Monkey

Arran Holman has become a double winner with two different helmsmen in this season's Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series. Crewing for Johnny 'The Postman' McGovern in a Merlin Rocket, Holman hiked his way to victory in a chilly, gusty edition of the Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey last Saturday.

McGovern and Holman scored two bullets in the two races held in challenging, chill ENE breeze that was gusting over 20 knots. It was a war of attrition, with only 21 of the 51 entries managing to complete both races.

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Having won the previous event in the series, the Robline UK Polar Chase, crewing for Tom Gillard, Holman is on a roll. He also won both races of the Brass Monkey in 2023 when he was steering a 420 crewed by David Bromilow. McGovern is enjoying a successful end to the year both as a sailor and coach, having just returned from Portugal where he was team leader for Team GBR at the Youth Sailing World Championships where the Brits picked up two golds and a silver.

McGovern himself is a youth worlds bronze medallist from two decades ago when he was competing with another great northern dinghy sailor, Stu Bithell, who has since gone on to win silver and gold medals at the Olympics. Interesting that some of Britain's best sailor hail from the small gravel pits and reservoirs in the north of England.

Finishing runner-up to the winning Merlin Rocket from Hollowell SC was local sailor Finlay Cochrane in his ILCA 7, who finished ahead of third-placed Wayfarer duo, Matt and Ben Lulham-Robinson from Datchet Water SC. Matt Hartley from Halifax SC was fourth in his RS Aero 5 ahead of former winner of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series and multiple dinghy champion Nick Craig sailing his Finn singlehander.

Even those that didn't manage to complete both races still enjoyed the great hospitality and warm welcome at Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club. A good meal and chance to catch up with mates after Christmas was a day well spent. And there's just a few days until Event No.5 on the agenda, the Grafham Grand Prix.

Get your entry in to the Grafham Grand Prix coming up this weekend, Sunday 4 January

Johnny McGovern and Arran Holman win the Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Top Brass Monkey Speeds:

Adjusted Brass Monkey Speeds:

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

NAVIGATORS & GENERAL COACHING WITH SIMON HORSFIELD

Resident coach of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, Simon Horsfield, is providing tips and advice throughout the eight events of the season. Supported by new sponsor, insurance company Navigators & General, Simon is a three-time winner of the series and well qualified to help sailors of all levels.

At 8pm on Tuesday evening, 30 December, Simon will be reviewing the action at the Brass Monkey, reflecting on the racing and highlighting some of the key learning points to take forward into the rest of the series.

See meet.google.com/crv-mcep-vhx

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2025/26:

• Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club - 22 & 23 November 2025
• Sailing Chandlery Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club - 6 & 7 December 2025
• Robline UK Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club - 13 December 2025
• Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - 27 December 2025
• Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 4 January 2026
• GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 10 January 2026
• John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 31 January 2026 & 1 February 2026
• Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 14 February 2026
• Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 21 February 2026

Johnny McGovern and Arran Holman win the Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Brass Monkey Results:

Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk