2026: A season of classic racing
The 2026 season took Bearly Awake Racing from the Clyde to the Solent, with close racing, classic boats and some memorable results along the way.
POW Cup victory at Largs
A highlight came at Largs, where Peter Freyne and I sailed Freebooter to victory in the Classic & Vintage International 14 POW Cup. The 1977 International 14 relished a fresh south-westerly breeze, with gusts topping 20 knots. After a demanding six-lap course, Freebooter crossed the line nearly 20 minutes and two laps ahead of the next boat.
Round the Isle of Wight on Whisper of Lymington
The Round the Island Race was another season highlight. Racing aboard Whisper of Lymington, we won the Modern Classic Racing Yachts division in a fleet of five. Under IRC Whisper finished 5th overall in IRC 1. A memorable way to complete the circuit of the Isle of Wight.
View the official race results
Racing Sophie at Hamble Classics
At the Hamble Classics Regatta, I raced aboard Sophie, Nick and Liz Harvey’s 1892 Falmouth Quay Punt. She lined up among a striking fleet of large gaffers, including Thalia, Jolie Brise, Dorothy, Cornubia and Velsia. This was the first time Sophie had raced in ten years and finished 4th Overall after a steady improvement of results during the week end.
The weekend brought light to moderate winds and a mix of tricky conditions and enjoyable racing. It was a pleasure to be part of the fleet and to race such a remarkable boat.
Read the Hamble Classics report
A season to remember
From Freebooter’s win at Largs to a division win around the Isle of Wight and racing classic yachts at Hamble, 2026 gave us plenty to celebrate—and plenty of reasons to get back out on the water.