Fishers Green Sailing Club Easter Cup Championship 2026
by Angie Meyer 8 Apr 08:09 BST
5 April 2026
Fishers Green Easter Cup Championship 2026 © Angie Meyer
Sunday 5th April saw the first club championship race of the year at Fishers Green Sailing Club with 13 boats lining up in tricky conditions.
A building westerly breeze was never going to make it easy for the fleet, and no surprise that safety ribs were kept on their toes with two capsizes before the first race had even begun. Kudos to the three youth sailors Hannah, Daisy and Ben who lined up for the start in their ILCAs, fuelled by a healthy mix of enthusiasm and Easter Chocolate.
Race 1 saw RO Mo Allen set a 'bow tie' course of a beat; reach; beat; run and a clean get away for the fleet with Richard & Russell in Merlin Rocket 3715 first off the line followed by Jasper & Graham in GP14 14125. The fleet spilt, with several boats banking on getting a pressure boost at 'capsize corner' and a tight pack of single handers battling it out to the windward mark. It was not long however before another capsize saw contender Blake in Aero 3600 go for a swim, and the leading pack of single handers Matteo Mancini (ILCA 202093); Daisy Cox (ILCA 4) and Nick Pighills (Solo 5249) and Graham Newman (Aero 3746) storming down towards the leeward mark. Exciting racing indeed, as tack for tack the fleet fought for line honours, powered up on Hot Cross buns and youth Daisy in her ILCA 4 not disappointing the onshore spectators by giving the GP14 National Champions a run for their money. Final line honours and corrected time victory going to Jasper Burnham & Graham Sexton (GP14), in 2nd place Daisy Cox (ILCA 4), and 3rd position Matteo Mancini (ILCA 6).
Next up Race 2, and first off the line Matteo (ILCA 6) followed by Christian & Oz (Merlin Rocket 3744) and Jasper & Graham (GP14). It takes an RO with imagination to run a championship race, and so it was that race 2 saw a course of not 1 but 4 gybe marks. This change of course saw double handers working double time to get their kites set and a fair amount of swimming by the Merlin sailors. In the end it was the single handers who faired best on this course, despite several capsizes, one of which involved a dramatic rescue from a tree on the lee shore. Well-deserved line honours went to Team GP14 Jasper & Graham, followed by 2nd place Matteo (ILCA 6) and 3rd place Daisy (ILCA 4).
Race 3, and with the promise of trophy Easter eggs firmly in their sights, it was a determined line up that set off on the gun. With several boats retired it was all to play for and first off the start line was team GP14 Jasper & Graham followed by Merlin teams 3715 and 3744. A capsize on the start line did not deter youth Daisy from charging after the front pack heading for the windward mark, powered up by what seemed like an almost boundless amount of youthful energy. This race proved a simpler sausage course, but it was by no means easier with topping 30mph gusts. The fleet were all looking noticeably wetter by the end of it and I have no doubt that the final four laps probably felt more like forty!
All in all a fantastic day of racing for the Fishers Green SC fleet, and a big thank you to the rescue ribs who worked hard keeping boats upright. Back on shore, and with final results tallied, it was a proud Matteo Mancini that took home his first Easter Championship trophy. What a super start to the Spring season! Further news, event coverage and full race results for Fishers Green SC can be found on our social media channel @fishersgreensailingclub and www.fishersgreensc.org.uk