Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series - Getting ready for a blast at the Bloody Mary
by Andy Rice 7 Jan 17:28 GMT
10 January 2026
Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series action © Tim Olin /
www.olinphoto.co.uk
The GJW Direct 49th Bloody Mary is set to be a showdown between some of the brightest and best in UK dinghy racing. In the four events completed so far in this season's Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, the Merlin Rocket has taken victory in all of them.
The Merlins are looking high quality for the Bloody Mary this Saturday too, with winner of the past two Sailjuice events, Arran Holman, looking to make it three in a row. Having won the past two events - the Robline UK Polar Chase and Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey - crewing for different helmsmen, this time Holman is taking the tiller with Tom Pygall at the front of the boat.
However, even beating the other Merlins will be tough, never mind the rest of the fleet. With Tom and Ed Low from the home club as well as former Olympic representative and Nacra 17 World Champion Ben Saxton crewed by Rupert White, the Merlins might get caught up in their own battle at the expense of overall victory in the pursuit race.
Others to watch include former Fireball World Champions (and last year's runners-up) DJ Edwards and Vyv Townend, and multiple RS800 National Champions Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore. There's a number of Fireflys entered too, although whether they'll be able to match the performance of last year's winners - Jono and Freddie Pank - is another matter.
The Panks knew that the light-airs drift-off of the 49th edition would play to the roll-tacking advantage of the Firefly, but the moderate north-westerly forecast for this Saturday should play into the hands of the faster trapeze boats provided they can get planing.
Book your place for the GJW Direct Bloody Mary this Saturday, 10 January
GRAFHAM GRAND PRIX
Meanwhile, following the cancellation of last weekend's Grafham Grand Prix, the event has now been scheduled for Sunday, 8 February. There's a maximum entry limit of 90 boats, so best to book early.
NAVIGATORS & GENERAL COACHING
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.
Last week Simon did an online review of 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.
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
- GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 10 January 2026
- John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 31 January 2026 & 1 February 2026
- Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 8 February 2026 (rescheduled from original date)
- Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 14 February 2026
- Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 21 February 2026
You can find out more about the Series here:
www.SailJuiceSeries.com