2026 J Cup UK - Another Great Weekend of Racing
by Nikki Curwen 21 Jul 10:39 BST
18-19 July 2026
J/111 fleet during the 2026 J Cup UK at the Royal Southern Yacht Club © Nikki Curwen
The 2026 J Cup returned to the Royal Southern Yacht Club for a weekend of close racing, sunshine and catching up with the J family ashore.
This year's event brought together J/70s, J/88s, J/92s, J/99s, J/105s, J/109s, J/111s and J/112Es for three days of competitive racing, social events and the unique atmosphere that has made J Cup a highlight of the UK sailing calendar. The J/111 fleet enjoyed an extended programme, arriving a day early to contest their UK National Championship over eight races.
Conditions kept everyone on their toes throughout the weekend. Friday's delayed start proved the right call as the breeze filled in to provide three excellent races in 10-15 knots for the J/111 fleet competing in their UK National Championship. Saturday brought a shifty north-easterly that made consistency difficult, while Sunday's lighter winds meant the final races were far from decided until the finish.
The J/111 UK National Championship once again produced some of the closest racing of the weekend. Louise Makin and Chris Jones' JourneyMaker 11 dominated the series with five race wins to take the title ahead of McFly, sailed by Tony and Sally Mack, with Paul Griffiths' Jagerbomb completing the podium.
In the J/109 class, Jumping Jellyfish, sailed by David Richards, put together an impressive series to take the win ahead of Frank 4 and Jukebox.
The J/70 fleet was as competitive as ever, with Frequent Flyer coming out on top after six races, followed by Lightfoot Racing Spirit and the Royal Southern Youth Team.
The IRC fleets also enjoyed close competition throughout the weekend. Thinking Space took the J/Boat honours in IRC 1, Further West won IRC 2 after a remarkably consistent series, while Brenda's J claimed IRC 3.
The overall J Cup 2026 title went to Jumping Jellyfish, with David Richards and crew adding the coveted overall trophy to their J/109 class victory after an excellent weekend of racing. Their names will now be added to the J Cup Roll of Honour as the 2026 overall winners.
J Cup has always been about more than the racing, and 2026 was no exception. From the dockside atmosphere to the daily prize-givings, competitors enjoyed a full social programme throughout the weekend. Saturday's Salcombe Gin reception led into the ever-popular J Party, where a live band created a fantastic atmosphere at the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
Saturday also welcomed a very special visitor as Pudsey Bear arrived at J Cup with the crew of the J/160 Big Bear. Skipper Jonathan Brewin and his wife Jackie are sailing the 2,200-mile circumnavigation of the UK to raise £70,000 for BBC Children in Need, helping fund children's mental health programmes. It was a fitting visit for the J Cup fleet, who were delighted to support a fellow J/Boat and wish the crew well on the next leg of their remarkable fundraising voyage.
To support the Big Bear fundraising campaign for BBC Children in Need, visit: www.justgiving.com/page/jonathan-brewin-1
The event would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors. A special thank you goes to Garmin, our title sponsor, for providing an incredible prize package, including a complete Garmin racing electronics system for the overall winners, Garmin Signal™ VHF radios for the Muskateer Team Award winners, and Navionics® Boating App subscriptions for the daily class winners.
Rooster added to the weekend with a pop-up shop at the Royal Southern Yacht Club, fantastic prizes, J/Boat-branded neck sleeves for competitors and a popular Spin the Wheel competition featuring prizes donated by Garmin, MDL Marinas, Salcombe Gin and Rooster. MDL Marinas once again supported the event, providing the now-famous J/Boat caps for every competitor. Salcombe Gin hosted Saturday's post-racing drinks reception and kept competitors refreshed with on-the-water gin deliveries throughout the weekend.
A huge thank you goes to the Royal Southern Yacht Club, our race officers and race committee, volunteers, sponsors and everyone behind the scenes who made the event possible. Most importantly, thank you to every owner, crew and supporter who came along and made J Cup 2026 another fantastic weekend.
Bill Stringer, Managing Director of Key Yachting, said: "It was fantastic to see such competitive racing across every fleet and so many familiar faces enjoying the weekend. Events like J Cup simply don't happen without the support of our volunteers, race team, sponsors and competitors, so thank you to everyone involved. We're already planning next year's event and look forward to welcoming everyone back."
J League
J Cup also marked the conclusion of the second J League, Key Yachting's season-long championship for J Boats. Running from J Cup 2025 to J Cup 2026, the series brought together results from major regattas across the UK sailing calendar, with J Cup UK serving as the double-scoring finale. The overall prizes were presented during Sunday's prize-giving, bringing the J League season to a fitting close.
J League 2025-26 Final Standings:
1 Jukebox (J/109) - John Smart
2 Frank 4 (J/109) - Olly & Sam Love
3 Further West (J/99) - Alain Waha
Find out more about the J League and view the final standings: www.keyyachting.com/jleague
J Cup Results
J Cup Winners: J/109 Jumping Jellyfish
J/111 UK National Championship
JourneyMaker 11 - Louise Makin & Chris Jones
McFly - Tony & Sally Mack
Jagerbomb - Paul Griffiths
J/109
Jumping Jellyfish - David Richards
Frank 4 - Oliver Love
Jukebox - J. Smart
J/70
Frequent Flyer - Paul Wollmann
Lightfoot Racing Spirit - Morgan Reynolds
Royal Southern Youth Team - Darcy O'Donnell
IRC 1
Thinking Space (J/112E) - Key Yachting
White Majic (J/112E) - Lesley Hunt
IRC 2
Further West (J/99) - Alain Waha
Jenie (J/88) - Rosie Berry
Jam (J/99) - Angus Bates
IRC 3
Brenda's J (J/92S) - Becky Walford
Upstart (J/92) - Robin Stevenson
J'ronimo (J/92) - David Greenhalgh
Special Awards
Nipper Trophy - Morgan Reynolds
First Female Helm - Issy Waha (Further West, J/99)
Musketeer Team Award - JourneyMaker 11 and the RSrnYC Youth Team
Full results: j-cup.co.uk/uk