2025 Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta and OK Nationals at Dabchicks Sailing Club on Day 2: A Spectacle of Rivalry and Team Spirit

On a scenic summer weekend in July at the Yarmouth, Isle of Wight, the 17th edition of the Taittinger Royal Solent Yacht Club Regatta unfolds. The event draws a fleet of 198 boats, marking a showcase of skill and camaraderie against the capricious Western Solent. As tradition goes, both the Black and White Groups start off the mainland shore for Race 1. The unpredictable WSW breeze fluctuating between 19-23 knots and a deep uncomfortable swell from ebbing tide pose a formidable challenge. As the wind builds through the morning, White Group’s course takes the boats towards the Island shore’s flatter water. Meanwhile, the Black Group navigates the mid-Solent’s difficult waters. Gusts peaking at 30+ knots force some boats to retire across the groups. Sunday ushers a calmer Western Solent with westerly breeze quickly building from nine knots to gusts in the 20s. The Taittinger RSYC Race Committee makes the most of the conditions to slot Black Group’s missing races from Saturday. At the prize-giving on Sunday, familiar faces from the previous year regatta stand triumphant, including David Richards’s J109 Jumping Jellyfish, Tony Mack and crew of J111 McFly, and Peter Lloyd’s Spirit C72 Gwenhyfar II. Meanwhile, at Dabchicks Sailing Club, the OK Nationals championship ensues amid cooling weather and lighter winds. Oliver Davenport outshines his OCS from Day 1 to grab top honors in both races while Ben Flowers holds his position atop the leaderboard.