Scorpion National Championship 2026 at Looe Sailing Club - Runners and Riders
by Alan Ritchie 17 Jul 08:38 BST
1-7 August 2026
2022 Scorpion Nationals at Looe day 1 © Lee Whitehead /
www.photolounge.co.uk
The 2026 Scorpion National Championship in association with Craftinsure
Two years on from the Russian hack and its likely my early files are now available on the dark web - be afraid - if you were named two years ago any moment now men in dark glasses are sat in a white van on your street working out ways to make scorpions talk! - Most of the next missive is untainted by AI, interrogation, or any truth/sense...
Luckily, the nonsense level is as ever quite high so should take some working out before we head to East Cornwall for the invasion of Looe (on carnival weekend and for the following week). That's the 1st - 7th August with those of you not au fait with the Looe Carnival. Suggest you arrive early on the Saturday - the grand procession assembles in Hannafore at 5.30 before making their way to East Looe at 6.30pm. The wind will be calm and still for this.
So after we've got our boats set up - trailers delivered up the hill to Wayland settled into our accommodation for the week we can look forward to the carnival parade followed by the commodores reception at the sailing club. No doubt in between the unloading and the rigging Mr GTR Tailby will be busy splicing to within an inch of his life while keen sailors go for a warm up float on the ocean waves.
Jerry (Mr Measurer sir) will also be armed with his special measuring stick and inspecting eye to ensure we're all legal and safe - mast must stay up - no this isn't to discuss the 'Jesus handles' safety strop or the recent rapid mast movement in Weymouth but ring pins are available for a fine price from many chandlery outlets - Wadey do try and use some yourself...
So Sunday (that's the 2nd August !) we'll get a lovely sea breeze - 3 - 4 foot swell and practice race and two fine races ahead of the 4 way pro am drinkies I think that means we've got more people in our 'team' to help drown our sorrow with when we've got it all wrong - or help rebuild our boat when its gone really wrong and GTR has spliced your spinnaker sheets inside the shrouds (don't worry it wasn't John who did that - it was a past crew champ......who luckily carries a knife with him.)
Monday dawns with the promise of two more races in force 2 and promise of a raffle with a difference - yes Mr Lee 'Sheppey' Marriot is promising extra mayhem in true 'swampy 'style - no kicks, holds or biting allowed.
Tuesday (building a nice force four with swell) and we'll be tired after a sleepless night and the promise of the AGM (highlight of the week). Before that we'll have more sailing racing (maybe even an exciting crew opportunity to helm !) Steve (Mr Secretary) Walker is promising an exciting AGM to beat all others... (maybe there's a raffle involved?)
Wednesday (now the 5th of August - do keep up) biggest breeze all week - top end max rake - scary for some - Yatsey will love it, and we'll have some more of the sailingness for those who do that sort of thing - hopefully we'll be off the water in time to raid the charity / joke shops of their London Underground merchandise ahead of Thursday's fancy dress. If not there's a lot of pressure on the SWHaBHs (Scorpion Wives, Husbands, and Better Halves) to shop whilst we're sailing - that could interfere with their extreme social programme involving many lunches and activities.
After you've had your made to measure station fitted it's to the club for Cider and cheese tasting - not just any cider but Race Officer knock your socks off special brew !
Thursday (wind calming down and the sun shining) two more races to complete the ten that count - we'll also have had a crews race, practice race, and Rachel wont let a week go by without beach games and paddle boarding.
Thursday night and the Underground will be in Looe for fancy dress (blame Zoe - her idea!) Not sure we can strike for better pay - so dance the night away......
Friday morning and everyone's a winner of a bacon roll and cup of tea - Prize-giving and the groaning table of silverware will be redistributed .
You've seen the plan for the week - now let's meet some of the folks who hope to be driving home with some silverware come Friday:
Rachael (Real Deal) Gray (Winner x 5) with professional chauffeur Tom (Gilly) Gillard (Winner x7) - Still trying for a perfect picket fence - still only President Mursell can claim that privilege - Rachel as ever is the favourite to beat Gilly in every race - maybe they can win them all?
Dave Orrell supporting legend Mike Lennon (Winner 85,87,89) - Closest to Gilly at Weymouth in June - they even lead one race for most of it. However Mike has only ever won in 1880 (shockwave) - will a change of boat affect the result?
Steve (Past winner 2017) Graham helmed by Steve (Past Winner crew 2010, Helm 2013) Hall - Crews race should be rapid with a past winner crew at the front. Seen on a training weekend in Weymouth in June that's a serious plan to try and tackle the incumbents.
Dave (Mast pins optional) Wade (Winner 04,07,10) being cared for by Imogen Wade - Wadey's getting tired of stick waggling and decided that he's got potential as crew - Imogen isn't sure but its dad's boat so she's stuck with him.
Andy (Scurvy) Service (Winner 1990) supported by Joe Warwicker - Nearer to 70 than 60 Andy's looking for someone to bring the average down in the boat - Joe's great in the light but needs to keep an eye out for starboard tackers when the boat isn't flat.
Rich (formally Pepsi - now known as Mr Hyrox) Pepperdine with chauffeur Peter (Mr Sailjuice x2) Gray - The best action video of recent years was a down the mine episode a few years ago - always on the money - especially if they can hot up the runs.
Oliver (Rayners Lane) Rayner who's bagged Bandit helm Ben (RS) Whaley - Can Ben point a symmetric kite downwind? Oli will make it so.
Simon (The Bear) Forbes (2018/ 2023 crew winner) helmed by Paul (Spanner) Cullen - Spanner and Bear enjoy the Fireball so why not carry on with the same kite... Hopefully sailing round from Torbay after the Fireballs?
That's just a few of those who think they're contenders - the real race takes place on completion of Tally return with a drink and snack to help smooth the carb deficiency after a few hours sailing.
Many crew transfers are still ongoing with a plethora of wanna be Scorpion drivers and crews sorting plans - I'm reliably (ahem) informed by our chair that we have 32 youth sailors coming to Looe with amazing support from the Scorpion foundation and many generous owners lending their steeds for the week. As ever there's bound to be a few mistaken booking for accommodation / work rotas so maybe there's a spot for you to still enter.
The SWHaBHs will be too busy to help with trolleys so best be friendly to your fellow competitors for that last pull up the beach ramp. Their itinerary involves trips, cakes, lunches, and tea (why haven't I joined yet?)
We've a mix of old/new, young/old, male/female and everything in between for those who aren't old or young etc.
Boats will be wood, plastic and glassfibre and many have twin spinnaker poles. All in all full variety for everyone - pick your colour and go!
See you in the boat park.
Event website: sailscorpion.co.uk/scorpion-national-championships-2026.html