Tasar European Championship 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club - Overall

The third and final day of the Tasar European Championship at Hythe and Saltwood Sailing Club began with bright skies and a southerly 10-12 knot wind, making the Race Officer's job a little easier with a more stable direction, but the surf on the beach remained challenging.

There was an understandable reluctance to launch at first but an expanded shore party soon developed a sound technique for getting the fleet afloat safely.

Tasar Europeans 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Jeremy Speakman

In the first race of the day Mark Barnes and Joe Barton soon took a lead that turned out to be short-lived due to a capsize caused by their mainsheet becoming unjammed. The front of the fleet then became a tussle for first place between Steve and Sarah Cockerill, and Nick Craig and Rachel Rhodes, while Jeremy and Suzanne Hawkins and David and Fiona Sayce had a similarly tight battle for third. Craig/Rhodes took line honours ahead of the Cockerills, the Hawkins just beating the Sayces. Barnsie/Barton did well to recover to 6th place behind Constantijn Udo and Dan Hebditch, representing the Netherlands.

Tasar Europeans 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Jeremy Speakman

The breeze increased slightly for the second race of the day allowing the Cockerills to show excellent upwind and downwind speed to win ahead of Barnsie/Barton, with Craig/Rhodes in third. Subsequent places were taken by Udo/Hebditch, the Hawkins, and then the local team of Andrew Thompson and Charlotte Harris who showed both consistency and potential by finishing 6th.

Tasar Europeans 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Jeremy Speakman

The final race of the series started in less wind but a still significant swell. The Hawkins, Cockerills, Sayces and Udo/Hebditch were all in contention at the windward mark. (Craig/Rhodes, having secured the Title, experimented with their settings which probably accounted for their only position outside the top 3.) But Barnsie/Barton once again got to the front and stayed there for most of the race. However, on the long run to the finish of a shortened course, the Sayces and Cockerills used the waves to good effect to get well below Barnsie/Barton. The Sayces had the lead by the leeward mark, which they held to the finish, leaving Barnsie/Barton in second place ahead of the Cockerills in third.

Nick Craig and Rach Rhodes, with the Right Worshipful Mayor of Hythe, Pauline Curran, win the Tasar Europeans 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Liliana Reasor

But the day was not quite over until the fleet had successfully negotiated the remaining surf. Once again the beach party, assisted by competitors, did sterling work to bring the on-the-water activity to a close.

Thanks to the sponsors Barefoot Gardening, Holiday Extras, Rooster, Folkstone and Hythe District Council and Britannia Coaches. The fleet has reason to be particularly grateful to Chris Barnes who combined the role of chief organiser and Race Officer doing a great job in some challenging conditions. Also thanks go to the beach team, led by Arran Farnes, whose contribution to the weekend's success is beyond doubt.

Tasar Europeans 2026 at Hythe and Saltwood - photo © Liliana Reasor

Finally, the Fleet is greatly indebted to Commodore James Eberlain and everyone at HSSC who made the competitors feel so welcome with fabulous hospitality.

Overall Results: