History is being reborn at Royal Lymington Yacht Club, 24-26 April 2026, with the long-awaited return of the Macnamara’s Bowl – an all-women’s international regatta making its comeback after 31 years.
Originally founded in 1978 by a pioneering group of women sailors (including the Royal Lymington Yacht Club’s current Commodore, Sally Kalis), the prestigious invitational event ran until 1995. Since then, the trophy has remained on display at the club, a reminder of its rich heritage and the legacy it left behind.
The revival was sparked in late 2025, when Jo Wells (granddaughter of event founder Brian Macnamara) proposed bringing the regatta back. “Why not?” recalls Event Director Peter Saxton, who saw it fitting perfectly with the club’s participation initiatives that “focus on broadening and increasing on-water activity at the club.”
Now reimagined for a new era, the Dubarry Macnamara’s Bowl builds on its original spirit of strong competition, vibrant socials and lasting friendships – while introducing a few 21st-century upgrades.
Central to that evolution is the use of the RS21, with teams racing in identical, one-design boats chartered from RS Sailing. Crewed by 4–5 sailors, the RS21 delivers fast, tactical racing while its strict one-design format ensures a level playing field – putting the emphasis firmly on skill and teamwork on the racecourse.
Liam Willis, Keelboat Manager at RS Sailing, and RS21 Class Manager is proud to see the RS21 at the heart of the event: “It’s an honour for the RS21 to be the boat of choice for such a prestigious revival. Since its launch in 2018, the class has grown rapidly – supporting new club fleets and establishing itself on the international stage as an exciting, high-performance keelboat. Events like the Macnamara’s Bowl, attracting teams from around the world, highlight the calibre of racing the RS21 can deliver.”
A total of 11 club teams will take to the water, representing:
- Ireland – Royal Cork Yacht Club
- UAE – Dubai Offshore Sailing Club
- Bermuda – Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
- Canada – Kingston Yacht Club
- UK – Royal Lymington Yacht Club
- UK – Royal Southern Yacht Club
- UK – Rutland Sailing Club
- UK – Royal Thames Yacht Club
But what about the competitors? The regatta has drawn an impressive line-up of talent from across the women’s sailing world, including Charlotte Borghesi, who made history as the first female helm to win the SB20 World Championship in 2024; Olympian Vita Heathcote, 420 World Champion (2019) and 470 World Championship silver medallist (2024); Phoebe Chalmers, North American WASZP champion; and Emma McEwen, ex-Corinthian RS21 World Champion and multiple RS500 and RS800 title holder – just a few of the standout names on a highly competitive entry list.
The fleet also includes under-25 teams from Kingston Yacht Club and the host club, adding a strong development pathway to the competition.
The event begins with a dedicated training day on Friday 24 April, including Vakaros race system induction and on-water coaching from Liam Willis. The day concludes with a debrief in the clubhouse’s Solent Room and a formal evening dinner.
Racing runs from Saturday 25 to Sunday 26, with seven fleet races scheduled. With 7-10 knots forecast and blue skies overhead, conditions look ideal to showcase Solent racing at its very best.
“The weekend is more than just racing – it’s a celebration of the women who have shaped the sport, from the original crews of the 1970s to today’s global competitors. The Royal Lymington Yacht Club continues to champion women both on and off the water – as sailors, leaders, and innovators.” said a spokesperson for the Royal Lymington Yacht Club.
Best of luck to all competitors as this iconic event returns to the international stage.
