Grafham Grand Prix 2027 - Entries Open
by Peter Gee 14 Nov 10:58 GMT
3 January 2027
Looking ahead to the 44th Grafham Grand Prix © Paul Sanwell / OPP
Get off the Sofa in 2027
One of our great nation's traditions is to spend the first Sunday of the New Year sitting on the sofa, watching The Great Escape and making resolutions to get fit and attend more open events in the New Year. But wait! The forward thinkers amongst us will be ahead of the game and travelling to their first major event of 2027 - The Grafham Grand Prix being held on Sunday 3rd January.
The Grafham Grand Prix started nearly fifty years ago as the brainchild of Club Commodore Peter Waghorn and has become one of the most established winter events in the UK. This year it is being held for the 44th time.
Offering three starts (Fast, Medium, slow) across at least two different race courses, the event benefits from the big courses possible on the large expanse of Grafham Water. This arrangement enables the best possible course to be offered to the many different types of boat sailing- from cats to asymmetrics and many other timeless dinghy classes and gives keen sailors the opportunity to race on handicap against top sailors in other classes.
In 2026, the event was fully subscribed with just over 90 entries. Competition in the Fast fleet was intense with Formula 18s competing against a wide mix of classes including 505s, 4000s, B14s and even a Norfolk Punt. Adam Piggott and Reece Webb were the winners in their F18, with Eddie Brindle 2nd in his Musto Skiff and Grant Blake and Andrew Jarvis in their K6.
The Medium fleet featured the widest range of classes with Ospreys, Finns, Flying Fifteens, Hadron H2s,Scorpions, D-Zeros and International Canoes competing. This fleet was won by Aaron Holman and Rachael Gray in their Merlin Rocket, followed by Malcolm Hutchings in his Blaze and Jamie Mawson in his RS600.
The Slow fleet had the biggest attendance and was won by Jasper and Fergus Holman in their GP14, with Benjamin and Sam Pasco 2nd in their 2000 and Matt Wolstenholme and Lloyd Richards 3rd in their Snipe.
The first race will start at 11am, followed by a further two held back-to-back. A pot of warming pasta will be handed to every competitor after racing, followed by the prize-giving. Entry fees have been reduced this year and are £29 for single-handers and £39 for double-handed boats.
Entries are now open and the NoR can be viewed.
Grafham Water SC looks forward to welcoming you for a great day of winter racing.