Lymington Dinghy Regatta 2025
by Heather Chipperfield 22 Jul 22:57 NZST
19-20 July 2025
Lymington Dinghy Regatta © Tristan Jones /
www.nautipics.co.uk
The Lymington Dinghy Regatta, hosted jointly by the Lymington Town SC and Royal Lymington YC took place on the 19/20 July, proudly supported by local company Harken UK.
This event has developed over the years to be a very popular opportunity for local sailors to race in bigger fleets of all the local classes against some high-quality visiting teams. Once again, we were at our 120-boat entry limit, with 190 sailors and almost 70 visiting teams.
An eager fleet of dinghies launched on Saturday into sunshine and light winds, accompanied by funky tunes from a DJ on the RNLI balcony. The boats sailed on 2 race courses, with a huge array of fleets as well as handicap starts for the those in smaller fleets. The event included the RS Vareo Nationals, Firefly Vines Trophy, RS400 Sailing Chandlery Southern, RS100 & RS800 Rooster and RS200 SW & EaSEA Tour events.
All eight fleets were greeted by wind-with-tide conditions meaning the beats were long but the sea stayed relatively flat as the sea breeze climbed to 22kt gusts by the third and last race of the day.
The hungry sailors were greeted with Lymington's famous tea and doughnuts when they came ashore. The day was rounded off with supper and lively chat at Lymington Town SC with SailGP on the big screen.
The glamorous conditions of Saturday made way for more muscular weather on Sunday. Both race teams had a postponement of almost 2 hours awaiting the promised wind abatement. All those that chose to launch got an absolute sleigh ride of a race, three races for the bravest Aeros and Scorpions, but, as the forecast was proved wrong, everyone was sent in as the needle got close to 30kts.
The army of more than 70 volunteers from both clubs ensured a seamless and extremely enjoyable time was had by all. Given the difficult conditions on Sunday, I'm sure we have a few bruised and exhausted volunteers as well as sailors today.
Amongst the locals were many prize winners, including Jamie & Sylvia McEwen and Angus Cook & Emily/Nia Saunderson/Mecklenburg second & fourth in Firefly; Richard Lilley and Emma & Luke McEwen, second & fourth in Fast Handicap; Rupert Stock fourth RS Aero; Nev Herbert & Mark Fowler, Mark Barwell & Lou Johnson, Matthew Podger second, third & fourth in Medium Handicap.
Full results are at www.ltsc.co.uk/lymington-dinghy-regatta
More photos at www.nautipics.co.uk/-/galleries/lymington-dinghy-regatta-20th-july-2025