Javelin European Championship 2026 at Rutland Sailing Club

The Javelin is sailed in The Netherlands and Germany as well as the UK. The European Championships move from one country to the next every year, Rutland Sailing Club has become the favourite UK host club for the fleet.

The Javelin is a two-person single trapeze boat with spinnaker and is given a handicap of 932. Crews from many generations can be found sailing the boats, mothers and fathers with sons and daughters, lightweights and heavier crews, old and young all compete. 16 boats competed this time around.

Rutland provided plenty of wind for the week, although not consistent in strength and direction, trapezes were used in every race and the crews were constantly challenged with mostly moderate and windy conditions. A triangle followed by sausages until we hit 45 minutes race time was the format.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Day 1

It was windy with a westerly blowing across the lake, The OOD gave a comprehensive briefing and after the practice race it began for real on the southern arm of the lake.

Race 1

At the leeward mark "Junkfood", Arjen and Kelvin (NED) got themselves in a sandwich between boats and in gusts and confusion, over they went! At the front of the fleet the two protagonists for the title began their battle. Seb Smith (17) was crewing for his father Richard, a light combination, Eddie Reid (19) was driving his dad Neil around the track, significantly heavier. Eddie and Neil won race 1 from Richard and Seb.

Race 2

The wind became less consistent for the second race. Will and Fred (NED) had a new boat built by Jon Turner last year and used their speed to sail to the front, beating Richard and Seb (GBR) who now finished day 1 as the leading team. The Earl brothers, multiple winners of this event came in third followed by Cliff and Andy, enjoying a wonderful shift on the last beat to pass Eddie and Neil.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Day 2

Three races promised for the day with, a reasonable breeze blowing we tightened up our harnesses again. Competitors were realising there were some big shifts which opened lanes to be exploited. Racing moved to the Northern end of the lake which offered more options to the OOD.

Race 3

Richard and Seb fought it out with William and Fred again; both these competitors were able to progress through the fleet when they were left a little behind at the start. William and Fred won this time around, Jens and Robin (GER) third with dynamic gybing downwind paying off for them. The Mother and son combination of Kathryn and Frazer (GBR), lightweights, slotted into fourth, Frazer seemed very happy!

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Race 4

William and Fred won this one from Eddie and Neil who were finding their form. Controversy resulted at the leeward mark which saw most of the middle of the fleet arrive at the same time. Much rule reviewing was to follow post-sailing; this was mediated and we all became a little more knowledgeable. Richard and Seb ultimately discarded their 3rd place. Cliff and Andy beat the Earls into fourth.

Race 5

Rutland seems to get an extra burst of energy for the later races of the day and the wind notched up a little. Once again, the four leading boats made it to the front with Eddie and Neil getting their second win from Richard and Seb, William and Fred and Jens and Robin.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Day 3

At the mid-point of the regatta, William and Fred and Richard and Seb were on equal points. With softer winds in the morning the OOD delayed the start until 1.00pm. The lighter crews maybe not so happy with this decision.

Race 6

Eddie and Neil continued their form from day two to win the race from Ben and Joel Fisher (14) (GBR), another father and son combination who sailed a storming first reach as boats struggled around them. Richard and Seb would later discard their fourth and Kathryn and Frazer bagged fifth.

Race 7

Out came the U flag and then the black flag as the fleet managed a couple of general recalls. The wind began to die a little. Cliff and Andy led round the windward mark but could do nothing to fend off Eddie and Neil. Richard and Seb then came from nowhere on the final beat to take the win. Cliff and Andy still ahead of William and Fred by just a second at the end. Another father and son combination, Johannes and Finn (GER) made fifth keeping them in the running to be best behind the top four boats.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Day 4

The final day started with lighter and inconstant wind. Occasionally the breeze would drop away, particularly near the dam wall where the leeward mark was deposited. The OOD also struggled as the breeze clocked right during the day.

Race 8

Jens and Robin won this one as crews hunted for pressure and direction from the off. Richard and Seb next followed by Eddie and Neal. Wardo and Carl (NED) a deserved fourth. Ben and Joel making use of the lighter conditions after that.

Race 9

Richard and Seb were first beating Eddie and Neil then Jens and Robin followed by Cliff and Andy. It was getting very tight at the top of the leaderboard. William and Fred were clear third overall and Jens and Robin fourth, although we did not all fully realise it, there was a final race showdown.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

Race 10

Richard and Seb and Eddie and Neil were the stand out boats at Rutland. Richard was just one point ahead at the start of race 10 with an equal number of wins. The wind began to blow much harder now. The surprise package of Matthew and Ian (GBR) stormed up the first beat, un-troubled by the strong breeze to follow Eddie and Neil around the windward mark. Cliff and Andy third.

Eddie and Neil were ahead next time around but Richard and Seb pushed through to second moving Matthew and Ian back a place, that's how it finished with Hans and Nathalie (NED) fighting through to fourth.

A points tie left an outstanding team disappointed, another elated. Richard and Seb won three races, Eddie and Neil four. Eddie becomes the youngest helmsman to win the Javelin European Championship. The Javelin fleet know how to treat a winner so Eddie and Neil were thrown into the lake.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Javelin Class

William and Fred and Jens and Robin finished in strong third and fourth places with consistent sailing.

Many thanks to Rutland Sailing Club, Adam Petit the OOD and his teams, safety crews, Matthew and Rutland Sailing Club management and staff for catering for us; barbeque and excellent dinner.

Next year the Europeans visit Travemunde Week as guests of the German fleet.

Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Ian Dooley

Overall Results:

Eddie and Neil Reid, overall winners - Javelin European Championship at Rutland - photo © Senna Kerssemakers