JOG Season Hits Its Stride with Spinlock Cherbourg Challenge and 78-Boat Weymouth Race

With Alacrity during the JOG Spinlock Cherbourg Challenge © With Alacrity

The 2026 JOG season has quickly found its rhythm, with the Easter trip to Cherbourg followed by a strong turnout for the Cowes to Weymouth & Portland Race.

After a light start to the season at Nab Tower, the first offshore weekend delivered everything that had been missing, strong breeze and big swell!

Spinlock Cherbourg Race Weekend | 3-5 April

The Easter weekend saw the fleet head offshore for the Cherbourg Race, sponsored by Spinlock.

The outward leg proved a tough early season test. As Oliver Hawkins, skipper of Sailfish, put it: "It was a blustery beat out the western Solent and a crack off to cross the channel, a turbulent sea and gusts into the 30s were enough to turn some crew green!"

After a well-earned stop in Cherbourg, the decision was made to delay the return start and adjust the course. What followed was a very different race home.

This time SailFish had, "...sun shining and a much happier crew with a symmetrical sleigh ride into the finish. Massive smiles and a reminder that those who brave the worst are often rewarded with the best!"

"Full send back from Cherbourg... powered up in 20 knots plus, a blown up tackline, mid channel toasties and creme eggs!" reported the team on Nightjar.

Crews quickly found themselves back in the rhythm of offshore racing, with their enjoyment returning after Friday's brief interlude.

Cowes to Cherbourg Results:

IRC Overall & Class 1
GameOn - Ian Hoddle

IRC Class 2
Jetpack - Mark Brown

IRC Class 3
With Alacrity - Chris Choules

Double Handed
Tigris - Gavin Howe

Generation JOG
Sophie Thom - GameOn

Women's Sailing Series
RORC Griffin - Hugh Brayshaw

Cherbourg to Cowes Results:

IRC Overall & Class 1
GameOn - Ian Hoddle (Line Honours)

IRC Class 2
Jetpack - Mark Brown

IRC Class 3
With Alacrity - Chris Choules

Double Handed
Rockit - Chris Hanson & Sam Strover

Women's Sailing Series
RORC Griffin - Hugh Brayshaw

Full results at myjog.jog.org.uk/results

Rockit during the JOG Spinlock Cherbourg Challenge - photo © Rockit

Cowes to Weymouth & Portland Race | 18 April

The fleet returned to the start line for the Cowes to Weymouth & Portland Race, this time switching gears to a coastal format.

With 78 boats entered, it was a big turnout and a busy Solent start before the fleet stretched out along the south coast. Conditions started slow with a light wind beat against a flooding tide but soon switched to full-power sailing with the ebb in a solid sea breeze, with crews working hard to stay in phase and make the most of every shift and pressure line.

Martin Evans, Racing Manager, reflected on the race:
"What a race! The slow, tactical start meant the huge fleet put on a spectacular show for passers-by as they tacked up the Cowes shoreline. By Yarmouth, conditions turned champagne, with every boat gripped in their own battle all the way to the finish. You couldn't ask for more."

The finish inside Portland Harbour brought the fleet back together, setting the scene for a lively evening ashore and a chance to catch up after racing.

The post-race social was one of the biggest we've had, with over 280 sailors packing in for a few well-earned drinks and plenty of stories from the day.

Chris Hanson on Rockit (Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300) has also shared a great onboard breakdown of the race here: Take a look.

Cowes to Weymouth & Portland Results:

IRC Class 1
Tangent Minus 1 - Paul Aisher

IRC Overall & Class 2
Bellino - Rob Craigie

IRC Class 3
Javelin - Richard Newsom

IRC Class 4
Stan the Boat - Toby Gorman

Double Handed
Bellino - Rob Craigie and Will Jarman

Generation JOG
Will Jarman- Bellino

Women's Sailing Series
RORC Griffin - Nikki Curwen

Full results at myjog.jog.org.uk/results

Next on the calendar is the offshore Seldén St Vaast Race on 1 May, enter here. You can also check out the remaining races of the season here.

Don't forget JOG Week in Dartmouth, sponsored by Henri-Lloyd. It's shaping up to be a fantastic regatta, with plenty happening on shore as well, making it a great one for family too. Read more about Henri-Lloyd JOG Week here.