Entries open for Carmela Cup 2026
by Robin Tott 30 Jan 21:51 GMT
11-12 April 2026
Carmela Cup 2025 © RTYC
Requests for Invite for the RYA Two-Boat Keelboat Team Racing Championship for the
Carmela Cup are now being accepted.
The Royal Thames Yacht Club will be hosting the Championship at Queen Mary Reservoir, West
London, on the 11/12th April 2026, once again in the popular Sonars.
With demand for Keelboat Team Racing at an all-time high, we have been working with KSail events
to plan a single change Swiss League, should interest exceed twelve entries again this year. This
will allow more peer-to-peer racing and give everyone a shot at timing the bounce to the top.
While the Elmside Neighbours have dominated in recent years, 2026 will see a new team take the
title as previous winning skipper, Murray Hampshire, will not compete. His absence will be sure to
mix things up and will likely lead to new partnerships aiming to get their names on the trophy!
Mixed teams of eight sailors are encouraged to request an invite ASAP. Even with the increased
capacity, the event is expected to be oversubscribed again.
Full details for the event can be found on the Official Noticeboard. Requests must be submitted by
midnight on Sunday 1st March and invites will be issued by Friday 6th March.
Those looking to get up to speed in the Sonars may want to also check out the club's Hot Rum
Random Pairs Team Racing on Saturday 21st March, also at Queen Mary Reservoir.
Jack Fenwick, Sailing Development Manager for the Royal Thames Yacht Club, commented: "The
Carmela Cup continues to evolve as it has in recent years and now with the option for a Swiss
League, we hope this will encourage more sailors to attend as they should get many more tightly
fought races."
Scott Wallis, winning Co-Skipper from the Elmside Neighbours in 2023, 24, & 25 said "The Carmela
Cup is one of the highlights of our team racing year and the competition just gets tougher each year.
Not having Murray barking at me from the other boat will be a challenge but I think that just makes
things more interesting."
Winners of the Carmela Cup for the overall winner and the Olin Stephens Appreciation Award for
highest ranked University team will be invited to the Royal Thames Prize Winners' Dinner, one of
the social highlights of the year.
For any questions about this or the Hot Rum Random Pairs please contact or find further information at royalthames.com