Solo class Nigel Pusinelli Trophy and Southern Championship 2026 at Felpham Sailing Club - Preview
by Will Loy & Guy Mayger 8 Jul 20:26 BST
11-12 July 2026
Strong winds for the Solo nationals at Felpham © David Blyth /
www.fotoboat.com
The Nigel Pusinelli Trophy, incorporating the Southern Championship, sponsored by P&B
This weekend is shaping up to be an epic encounter for those Solo sailors who venture to Felpham to contest the Nigel Pusinelli Trophy, the two day event coincides with another climate change/El Niño induced heatwave and North Easterly winds forecast to provide ideal hiking conditions.
Class President Guy Mayger comments:
"Looking ahead to the Nigel Pusinelli and Southern Area champs at Felpham this weekend, it certainly looks like it's going to be a hot one!
"Firstly, apologies for the clash with the Goodwood Festival of Speed. If you still considering coming, do give me a shout and I'll see if we can find you some local accommodation.
"Entry is still open up until Saturday morning and I've been informed there will be homemade cakes on offer as an extra tempter!
"Per the NOR and SIs, as well as the championship races we will also be running a one-off 70th anniversary race for 10 competitors with the opportunity to win £70. You need to be here for a chance to win!
"The race, subject to conditions, will consist of a two lap windward/leeward course with sailors starting at timed intervals at the discretion of your class president. First sailor to grab the cash after the two laps wins. Felpham also hosted a Champions race for the 50th Anniversary so it has a special relationship with the Solos.
"For Saturday evening we have a meal and band scheduled, plus the first half of the football. We may need to head down to the Fox Inn (200m away) to catch the second half due to the licence laws. Either way, it should be a great evening!
"Unusually, for the south coast, it looks like we will have the breeze out of the East, North East over the course of the weekend. This should make for some very interesting and challenging racing with shifts coming off the land, particularly on Sunday.
"Being a relatively shallow race area, the tide should be pretty even over the course but do note that the direction will start to change approximately an hour ahead of the posted times.
"With the gradient breeze looking pretty solid at 10-15 knots (plus gusts) over the two days, there is unlikely to be any sea breeze effect other than the North Easterly possibly being dragged round a little towards the East.
"With the breeze across or slightly offshore, launching will be easy for those not used to the lumpy stuff.
"All in all, it looks like a top weekends racing ahead!"
This is the tester event for the 2027 National Championship, Felpham having hosted it six times spanning as many decades so it must have some magic. Unfortunately, as mentioned, the local car show is on but more importantly, Salcombe Merlin Week and the 505 Worlds at Hayling Island have drastically reduced entry but those who do go will enjoy some great on and off water action, whether it is the sailing or the football.
We have decided to reduce WhatsApp commentary to off water interviews so we can focus on obtaining higher resolution video and stills which will provide better overall event reports. To be honest I resembled a juggler spinning plates and would have eventually dropped either the drone, the camera, my phone or myself overboard!