Tasar European Championship 2026 Form Guide

32 Tasars for the combined UK Nationals and Europeans at North Berwick in 2009 © Paul Bock / www.paulbock.com

The Tasar fleet head to Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club on the 3rd of September for their European Championships. The event will be held over three days with three races per day for a full series.

With a strong representation from Germany and Constantijn Udo's team from the Netherlands, there shall be some added interest in catching up with old acquaintances and making new friends

The forecast currently for the venue will be a breezy west - SW'ly Friday suiting the heavier teams leading into the usual 2026 summer experience for Saturday and Sunday. One thing will be certain, it will not be over till the Fat Lady sings on Sunday. Rankings are based on current form and the predicted weather for the series.

Depth of talent on show will be good with multiple 2026 champions from several classes taking part.

Team Harken, Nick Craig and Rach Grey need no introduction, GBR 3002. Burfield and Staunton Harold's finest. On paper the dream team, Nick currently at the Aero 7s and having won several championships in 2026, crewed by Rach having just won the Merlin Rocket Championships, standing in for the usual suspect Tobytastic, on paper are the team to beat. Nick ex Tasar World Champion knows how to get a shift on in the boat and Rach will be bringing her race craft and leverage upwind to the fore. Friday they will be the team to hang on to, but the joker in the pack may be the following two days if wind comes in on prediction as towards the heavier end of the weight range. Ranking 3 - 1 to win and a definite podium with a clean series.

Team Porthpean, Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins, GBR 2973. Porthpean's serial class winners. Class specialists, serial winners who won the National championships at Brixham this year and reigning European Champions from Garda 2025. This team again rank to the heavier end, but lighter than Harken meaning they could be the ones giving chase on Friday and coming to the fore as the weekend progresses. They will definitely have their eyes focused on more silverware. Ranking 4 - 1 to win and a probable podium with a clean series.

Team Rooster, Steve and Sarah Cockrill, GBR 2831. One of Stokes Bay's finest. Another team needing no introduction and serial class sailors. Previous National champion and one of the in form teams this year. Towards the lighter end of the front runners, these two will be in the mix on Friday keeping one eye on the forecast for the following two days. The sail whisperer may come into play. Get them in the zone where their skill set comes to the fore and there could be some interesting results over the latter two days. Ranking 5 - 1 to win and looking to podium with a clean series.

Team Seavolution, Mark Barnes and Joe Barton, GBR 2814. Mark in the distant past serial National and European Champion. Just back from winning the B14 Nationals in a titanic battle with Nick Craig and others. Joe is a Topper front end specialist bringing youth to the group at not yet 16, but will hike all day. This team have been doing a little training to get time in the Tasar as have sailed very little together but won the last Tasar TT at Whitstable and with Joe much taller and heavier, looking to build on last year's nationals debut. Should be good across the range and fast in the light. Ranking 5 - 1 to win and looking to podium with a clean series.

Team Sayce David and Fiona Sayce, GBR 2815. Long time class stalwarts and one of Hayling Island's long standing teams. Like a bottle of wine, their maturity in delivering results does not waiver. On the lighter side, give them the conditions and they deliver. Over the years they have been on the podium. In such a strong fleet for the event, the key for them will be what happens on Friday, as the deeper we get into the event and if on forecast, they could be ones to watch. Ranking 7 - 1 to win and a possible podium with a clean series.

Team Paderborner, Stephen Heim and Susanne Schwicket, GER 2972. Probably Germany's strongest team and needing no introduction to the fleet. They have been in the mix at previous events and the mix of conditions if coming in on prediction will suit them. Friday they will be in their element and they have form in the lighter conditions. Ranking 7 - 1 to win and a possible podium with a clean series.

Team Paignton, Mark Ripley and Fiona Nee, GBR 2639. Mark is quick in his Aero 7 and Fireball. Could be ones to watch. Question will be whether they can put a series of front end scores together. One of the dark horses for individual podium places and possibly ones to watch. Ranking 8 - 1 to win and a possible podium with a clean series.

Two other teams for consideration are locals. Their form is unknown, so based on their past results and local knowledge.

Team Hythe 1, Dan Hollands and Sebastian Robb, GBR 2501. Hythes in form team. One of the heavier teams. My spy on the patch tells me these two have been out training and been showing some good speed across the conditions. With their local knowledge and predicted conditions, they could be ones to add spice, especially on the Friday. Definitely one of the dark horses. Ranking 8 - 1 to win and outside for podium with a clean series.

Team Hythe 2, Andrew Thompson and Charlotte Harris, GBR 2636. One of Hythe's long standing in form teams producing some good results. There will be stiff competition to see who gets the bragging rights as Hythe's finest come the end of the series. For certain this team will give its all to achieve that and therefore could be one other watch. Ranking 8 - 1 to win and outside for podium with a clean series.

Team Dodds, Simon and Ellie Dodds, GBR 2835. Another Hythe team. Borrowing class chairman and event Race Officer's own Tasar, Simon needs no introduction, but most of his best results have been in single handlers. Question is how will this husband and wife team perform. On the list due to previous results and with their local knowledge and predicted conditions, they could be ones to bring form to the the table, especially on the Friday. Definitely one of the dark horses. Ranking 10 - 1 to win and outside for possible podium with a clean series.

Taking into account the predicted mixed conditions, the form across the range will be key. For many there will be some snakes and ladders. Whoever wins this one, they will be worthy champions.

Sponsors for the series are Britannia Coaches, Barefoot Gardening, Folkestone and Hythe Council and Holiday Extras. With a full social scene ready from Thursday onwards, there will be plenty to keep the sailors occupied over the event.