Engines Over Canvas – The Lymington Challenge Powers In
Crews from across the UK, Sweden, and Spain are lining up in Classes 1, 1L, 2 and 3. The course loops the Solent’s finest backdrops — 78 and 62 nautical mile races, depending on class — with the start/finish line north of Newtown Creek. The racers will loop past coastal vantage points up to four times, giving fans multiple chances to watch the action thunder by.
The Big Boats: Class 1 + 1L
Championship leaders Double Trouble (Eastwood Racing, with Gary Aldington at the helm) are looking to cement their position at the top, but they’ll have to fend off heavyweight challengers. Silverline, last year’s champ and multi-time Cowes-Torquay winner, is back with a point to prove. Sture Vodka are flying the Swedish flag, and Spanish outfit Smokin Aces are finally entering their first race of the year — father-and-son duo Chris and James Dodge behind the controls of their bright red Skater. And just when things couldn’t get hotter, Laa Laa Falcon - Multispark has dropped in late. Their ferocious yellow Fountain hull, always a crowd-pleaser, is known for its brutal engine growl and breakneck straight-line pace.
In Class 1L, Black Ball Racing and Piston Broke will be scrapping for points as the championship begins to tighten. With one eye on the final round at Portland Bill, every position counts.
Class 2 – Sunseekers & Rivalry
It’s neck-and-neck here. Both lead teams are running identical XS Sunseeker hulls with matching muscle under the deck. Team 25 Sunseeker (Welham, Bontoft, Raven) claimed the flag on their race debut — and are clearly not here to make up numbers. But True Blue, the Scottish stalwarts, won’t go down quietly. Expect elbows out and throttles pinned.
Class 3 – The Wildcards
Three sub-classes, six entries, and more stories than a boatyard pub. In 3C, New Kids on the Dock — a fresh pairing of Elliott Holman and Richard Watson — will debut their classic Mannerfelt. 3D sees Carpe Diem’s Winkworth and Flewin bringing the only rib in the field, looking to punch above their weight.
And in 3E? It’s all about Oblivion. The silver cat, steered by rally ace Marcus Dodd and Sean Girdler, is hunting its fourth straight win. Behind them, Renegade, Blast from the Past, and The Nicotine Machine — all still in the mix, especially if Oblivion finally flinches. Watch for Nicotine Machine, beautifully finished and testing well. If she holds together, driver Josh Warmington-Brown could upset the leaderboard in style.
The Running Order
Friday, August 8 – Scrutineering
Shamrock Quay, Southampton
12:00 – 18:00
Saturday, August 9 – Race Day
12:00 – Boats depart Southampton for muster
13:00 – Green flag at Hamstead Ledge
17:00 – Podium at Shamrock Quay
Best Spots to Watch:
Fort Victoria
Hurst Castle
Headon Warren
The Needles Battery
This one has all the ingredients: international boats, returning champions, late entries, and title hopes on the line. If you like your weekends loud, fast and covered in salt spray — The Lymington Challenge is where you need to be.