Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 National Championship at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club

The fleet start during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay © Neill Ross Photography

The Harken Devoti D-Zero National Championship for 2026 was held at Dalgety Bay Sailing Club on the Fife coast north of Edinburgh in Scotland from the 25th to 28th of June. The racing area used by the club is to the east of the iconic Forth Bridges, within sight of Edinburgh Castle, Inchcolm Abbey and the Pentland Hills.

Day one started warm, with blue skies, sun and a light wind, which promised a sea breeze for the afternoon racing. And so it proved, with a lovely 15 knot easterly and challenging waves on the Drum Sands course. The fleet got away second time, after a recall and at mark 1 of the triangle course, it was favourite Nick Craig with a narrow lead over defending champion Adam Cockerill and local sailor Gavin Homer. D-Zero dealer Dave Valentine was using his power well in fourth with Andrew Homer chasing. The reaches were fantastic, down the waves rolling up the Forth. Nick and Adam pulled away from the others, with Ali Higgins working his way up to third by the bottom mark. There were few changes until the downwind leg of lap 2 with Ian Baillie moving through to fourth and Andy Hutchinson gaining fifth. The final lap was about consolidating, and these were the finishing positions.

Kim during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

The wind strength had increased slightly before race 2 but this was enough to blow in the east coast haar, which quickly reduced the visibility below where we could safely race, so the fleet was sent home across the shipping channel on a broad reach over the rolling waves, giving the fleet a treat.

A barbecue was planned for the evening but first there were Tunnock's Wafers and Tea Cakes for everyone as they came up the slipway courtesy of some very generous sponsorship from Tunnock's.

Day 2, and a different weather, cooler and a bit cloudy but still easterly and 12 or so knots. This was sprint racing day, with 4 short 20-minute races round an inner loop trapezoid course on the Inverkeithing race area.

Adam during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

The first race of the day, race 2 on the schedule, showed everyone how hectic the racing was going to be, with a short beat keeping the fleet tight. Ali Higgins lead at mark 1, followed by Andrew Homer, Adam Cockerill and Dave Valentine. Nick Craig was in fifth but moved to second by the next mark. Ali kept Nick behind until the second last mark and Adam slipped past him on the next leg. Ian Baillie was fourth with Andrew fifth.

After a quick turnaround, we were under way again, with Nick leading from start to finish, from Adam and Gavin Homer. Behind them there was a close battle between Dave Valentine, Andy Hutchinson, Andrew Homer and Ruary Williamson. Andy slipped away for fourth place but the other three battled to the end until Andrew got ahead for fifth, from Ruary then Dave.

Ali during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

Race 4 saw Adam lead Nick at mark 1, with Ali close behind, Then came Andy Hutchinson and Andrew Homer. Adam fought off Nick until the last mark, when Nick forced an overlap but even by the finish Nick only won by 6 seconds. Just behind, Andrew briefly held third before Ali, then Andy got past. However Andy was OCS, so Andrew moved up and Jon Basset claimed fifth.

The final sprint race and another hectic 20 minutes but a familiar story at the front with Nick leading from mark 1 to the finish. Gavin Homer continued his great starts and first beats to round second but Adam and Ali were too quick for him on the first downwind. Andy Hutchinson was fifth at the first mark and that was how the top five finished.

Gordon during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

The fleet was then offered an optional Bridges Race, round the Forth Bridge, up to the Forth Road Bridge then home to Dalgety Bay. Twelve took up the challenge and after the start and a very short upwind leg, they set off downwind for the bridges with Gordon Stewart leading from Andrew MacPherson and Ian Fitzgerald. The downwind was a broad reach and it got a bit wild and challenging under the bridge due to wind against a strong ebb tide and the acceleration of the wind under the bridge. At the turning mark it was Ian Baillie leading from Ian Fitzgerald and Billy McCarlie as they turned upwind for home. 35 minutes later, Ian still led at the finish, but Ruary Williamson had overtaken Ian Fitzgerald, with Gordon Stewart in fourth and John Aston fifth.

Saturday and the forecast was for some very strong squalls but although the wind was marginal, the way out to either course was not, so there was a delay for the tide to slacken and when it did, we headed out to the Inverkeithing course. However, as we began to arrive in the start area, the wind quickly increased to the high 30s with gusts over 40 knots, so we were sent home, which was quite a challenge as it was straight downwind. Everyone got back safely, some with help from the very efficient safety boats and with no breakages.

David during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

Sunday and the skies were clearing to leave a sunny day, with the wind now from the west, starting at about 12 knots and due to increase through the day. A great day of champagne sailing and three races awaited the fleet.

Race 6 and with the left side seeming to be favoured, at the top mark, Gavin Homer was again leading the fleet with Ewan McLellan, Ian Baillie, Ian Fitzgerald and Adam Cockerill very close. Ian Baillie quickly passed Ewan and Gavin down the triangle reach. Ian then led until the final windward mark, when Nick, who had quickly worked his way up the fleet managed to pass at the mark. Ian kept second from Adam, Ali Higgins and Andrew Homer.

Ian B during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

The next race and the wind was up a bit and shifty. Nick showed the way round again. It was much closer further back and just when Adam thought he had secured second place, Ali and Ian Baillie caught a very advantageous gust down the run to pass him and Andrew Homer.

The final race and Nick celebrated by winning yet again, leading from the first mark. Adam, similarly, kept second place from mark 1, with Andy Hutchinson, Ewan McLellan and Andrew Homer closely behind. Andrew sailed very well to get up to third but was the beneficiary of a very messy capsize by Andy. Ali Higgins and Ian Baillie swapped places a few times, with Ali finally getting fourth from Ian. During this race the fleet was visited by Derek the Dolphin, who is well known for visiting boats round the bridges. He had a great time swimming alongside us down the first reach, often within a metre of our boats.

Nick during the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © Neill Ross Photography

Nick Craig showed what a superb sailor he is with a dominant win. Adam Cockerill was second and was unfortunate not to get some race wins. Ali Higgins was third, improving on his fifth from last year. Ian Baillie was fourth and the top Master. Andrew Homer was fifth at his first D-Zero Nationals.

From a Masters perspective (those aged 60+), Ian Baillie took the Championship (4th overall), Dave Valentine in 2nd (7th) and Gordon Stewart in 3rd (15th).

The "Black" Reduced Sail with increasing numbers again this year, so watch out for their own Champs soon, and Ian Patrick showed the way placing 1st (25th overall), Simon Limb 2nd (30th) and Kim May-Papailiou 3rd (32nd).

First lady was Liz Potter (28th overall).

Prize winners in the Harken Devoti D-Zero 2026 Nationals at Dalgety Bay - photo © David Valentine

In his thank you speech, Nick thanked the club for its superb organisation and amazing welcome and the sailing areas that provide a variety of challenging conditions. There were also thanks to Harken, Tunnock's, Neill Ross Photography and dzero.co.uk.

Overall Results: