UTSC Club Championships Two Days of Racing, Trophies and Club Life
Published 12:40 on 14 Sep 2026
Upper Thames Sailing Club's 2026 Club Championships take place on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, bringing together two days of racing, a wide range of trophies and plenty happening ashore as well as on the water.
The weekend is open to UTSC members, and the programme has deliberately been designed to provide racing for sailors at different stages of their development. Some trophies will attract the Club's most experienced helms and crews, while others give cadets, developing sailors and those who may not usually find themselves at the front of the fleet a real opportunity to compete.
At the heart of the weekend is the Gold Cup, sailed as a five-race personal handicap series. If all five races are completed there will be one discard; if fewer than five are sailed, all completed races will count.
Saturday's first two Gold Cup races also act as qualifiers for the Silver Burgee. Class winners on CPN results from those races, together with qualifiers from the Cadet Challenge, progress to Saturday afternoon's Silver Burgee Final. The final can include competitors from the OK, Merlin Rocket and Wayfarer fleets, the handicap fleet and the Cadet Challenge, with a maximum of 12 boats taking part.
The Thames 'A' Raters have their own six-race series for the Kearns Cup, with three races scheduled on Saturday and three more on Sunday. Boat handicaps apply where appropriate, and all races count towards the final result.
There is also plenty for the Club's younger and developing sailors. The Cadet Challenge Trophy is a three-race series for UTSC cadets, with two races to count. The first two races also provide four places in the Silver Burgee Final. On Sunday afternoon, cadets have another opportunity to race for the Jim Bassett Trophy, decided in a single race.
And the racing does not end for those who miss out on Silver Burgee qualification. Saturday afternoon includes the Hugh Davis Trophy, specifically for competitors who did not qualify for the Silver Burgee Final. It is a particularly good example of the weekend's aim: competitive racing, but with opportunities for sailors across the fleet rather than only the most experienced competitors.
Saturday
The weekend begins with a competitors' briefing at 10.30am on Saturday, followed by the first Rater start at 10.55am, the Gold Cup at 11.00am and the Cadet Challenge at 11.05am.
After the morning racing and lunch, racing resumes at 2.30pm, with the Silver Burgee Final at 2.40pm and the Hugh Davis Trophy at 2.50pm. The intention is to complete racing and have everyone off the water by 4.00pm.
Sunday
On Sunday the Galley opens at 9.30am for breakfast, before racing restarts at 10.55am. The programme includes the remaining Kearns Cup and Gold Cup races, the final Cadet Challenge race and, during the afternoon, the Jim Bassett Trophy. Once again, the aim is to complete sailing by around 4.00pm.
More Than Just the Racing
Club Championship Weekend is intended to be a whole-club occasion, not simply a sequence of races.
The UTSC Galley and Bar will be open, with breakfast, refreshments and lunch available, so members can comfortably spend the day at the Club whether they are competing, helping to run the racing, supporting friends and family or simply watching from the bank.
There will also be a Saturday evening social, providing an opportunity to relax and enjoy the Club after the first day's racing. Tea and cake will also be served by the House Committee after racing on both days.
So whether you are an experienced racing sailor looking to add your name to one of UTSC's trophies, a developing helm wanting to challenge yourself, a cadet beginning to build racing experience, or simply a member who would like to enjoy a busy weekend at the Club, there should be something for you.
Join the racing, challenge yourself and enjoy the weekend.
Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 September 2026
Competitors' briefing: Saturday 10.30am
First race: 10.55am
Galley & Bar open breakfast, refreshments and lunch
Saturday evening social
Related
- Championship Weekend (19 September, 09:00-17:00)
- Championship Weekend (20 September, 09:00-17:00)
Last updated 13:27 on 14 September 2026
