12sqM Sharpie British National Championship 2026 at Brancaster Staithe Sailing Club

Despite some concerns scheduling the Nationals in October, the weather gods and Brancaster Staithe SC combined to provide the perfect end of season championships. Balmy conditions, sea courses with offshore breezes, and a tight four race schedule with no discards was duly delivered by PRO Bill Andrews and the BSSC team.

Saturday's first race set the tone of the meeting, with Will Gibbs & Charlie Orton in GBR12 Rock-a-bye leading from start to finish, extending their lead over Alex Scoles & Simon Turner in GBR71 Tern 1 in second, with Chris & Maddie Gibbs in GBR 125 Windspiel completing the podium. The second race of the day led to a course reset, with the wind veering a little more Northwest. Two general recalls led to the inevitable black flag start, with two teams falling victim with premature starts.

12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Brancaster Staithe - photo © James Case

The fleet generally held an inshore course, before heading across the tide to the windward mark. GBR12 hit repeat mode and led the fleet round, with GBR125 gradually clawing their way through the fleet to finish second. BSSC members Sam Neal & Marcus Flint in GBR138 Sirius sailed a solid race to finish third.

Sunday's racing exceeded the predicted 5mph, serving up a sunny force 2-3 Southwesterly. The offshore start line led to a split in tactics, giving the option of a long port tack in more breeze (and adverse tide), or the alternative Starboard tack inshore first into less tide albeit with unpredictable lifts and headers, with reduced wind strength closer inshore.

12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Brancaster Staithe - photo © James Case

BSSC members James Nunn & Mark Whitaker in GBR136 Racker picked their way expertly to round first, closely pursued by GBR12. The positions swapped on the second reach out to the leeward mark, remaining in that order until Gibbs senior in GBR125 picked his way through to finish second, GBR136 finished third.

The final race was sailed in the freshest breeze, with the no discard series bringing it's own increase in pressure for those in contention for the title.

GBR12 led out from the port inshore end of the line, but the fresher breeze and ability to lee bow the tide offshore shuffled the leading pack. Chris Gibbs worked the shifts up the middle of the course to round first, with the next two Sharpies steaming in from offshore. Dutch guest Job Volwater & first time crew Ellie Beachell in GBR3 Houri were second, and Overy Staithe SC members Will Worsley & Sam Worsley in their newly restored GBR31 Dita rounding third. GBR12 meanwhile had become mired in the chasing pack, with some indecision as to the best course to windward.

12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Brancaster Staithe - photo © James Case

Dita and Houri continued to battle upwind and downwind, with Houri showing off a little too much of her bottom planking during one frantic gybe! Gibbs senior extended his lead to win,putting further pressure on son Will to dig out a result. The Worsley's posted a creditable second in their first ever Brits, with Job & Ellie scoring an excellent third place. Meanwhile GBR12 had clawed their way through to finish fourth, doing just enough to secure their first National title.

Congratulations to Will & Charlie, sailing GBR12 Rock-a-bye expertly all weekend. Please excuse any unintended bias, as your correspondent owned and sailed this Sharpie for 50 years!

Will Gibbs and Charlie Orton win the 12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Brancaster Staithe - photo © James Case

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Sharpie Nationals then enter your Gear Guide information

12sqM Sharpie British National Championship at Brancaster Staithe - photo © James Case