RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760
RS Sailing
Premier Way, Abbey Park
Romsey Hampshire SO51 9DQ
01794 526760

The British Keelboat League Finals

September 30, 2021
BKL Finals

The British Keelboat League Finals saw teams battling it out on the water to be crowned the overall Champions of Champions. After a year of qualifying events across the country, the final always promised an intense battle.

Hosted by Poole Yacht Club, competitors enjoyed a Pimm’s reception, Saturday night BBQ and super hospitality. On the water, sailors experienced the various conditions Poole Harbour could throw at them, from the thick fog with no wind to not a cloud in the sky with a perfect 12 knots.

Despite the tricky conditions, Keith Sammons the event and overall British Keelboat League Principal Race Officer smashed out an impressive 40 races in total.

Competitor Niall Myant-Best who’s West Kirby YC team came 2nd overall reported –

“The format of the British Keelboat League means you come away having done a lot in only a few days. The final was no different. We had light winds to start with some big breeze for the final few races. The competition was just as mixed as well. With so many tight short races, everyone gets a chance to start well, overtake or lead at a mark. We had to fight hard in every race, and plenty of times what felt like a good result vanished just before the finish line – it meant you couldn’t find an easy ride against anyone. What impressed me was how well the RS21s felt across the wind range. In the light winds, they found their momentum and there was a nice big asymmetric for the wind at the end. Overall winners Royal Thames were consistently fast and set the pace for everyone. In the end, we felt very pleased with 2nd as there was a lot of pressure from the other teams just behind us.”

RYA Keelboat Development Manager Jack Fenwick added –

“It was great to get the best teams from this years British Keelboat League together at Poole Yacht Club to find out which club would come out on top. We had just about every condition possible over the three days and the racing was the tightest I have ever seen. Even though the places at the top didn’t change much throughout Sunday, it really could have gone to just about any of the teams. Slip-ups were costly and evening finishing third in a race would push teams down the ranking. Even though Royal Thames won by a convincing 8 points in the end, it was not until the end of their last race the win was actually safe. Each year the competition gets better and better as the teams establish the best way to approach this short, fast-paced racing and I am already looking forward to the season kicking off next year.”

The British Keelboat League should not be underestimated. With an average of 20 races sailed per team, countless mark movements, team changeovers and so much more across the two and a half days;  the fast turnaround of racing, constantly updating scoreboard is a sight to see and a format of racing to experience. Teamwork is not simply for the sailors competing either, it takes a good number of volunteers and helpers to make the event happen. We know from first-hand experience that running the show is equally enjoyable for all involved as actually racing. Our thanks must go to every person who helped make the entire series happen and our incredible sponsors; RS Electric Boats, HYDE SAILS, MDL Marinas, A-Plan Insurance, PKF-Francis Clark and Kingfisher Yacht Ropes.

They say a picture speaks a thousand words and in this case, the many videos and photographs of all the action encompass what the weekend was all about, be sure to check them out on the British Keelboat League Facebook Page. Something new for this year, the British Keelboat League racing streamed live via Live Stream Sailing. This opened up the action for all to see and will forever be in the archives to look back on. Let’s hope seeing all the action encourages more participation next year! After all, it really is as simple as #RockUpandRace!

Check out the results in full here – Results

1 Royal Thames YC (T)
2 West Kirby SC (W)
3 Queen Mary SC (Q)
4 Hunts SC (H)
5 Marconi SC (M)
6 Cardiff Bay YC SS (S)
7 Royal Corinthian YC (C)
8 Royal Northern and Clyde YC (N)
9 Cardiff Bay YC (B)
10 RORC (R)
11 Poole YC (P)
12 Hooe Point SC (J)

 

Share this!

 

SUBSCRIBE

  • Sign up for RS stories, offers, epic wipeout videos and much more!
  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

The RS Sailing Store Warehouse Clearance & Magenta Mondays!

It's time to fire up our Warehouse Clearance at the RS Sailing Store!   Our Warehouse Clearance is pretty much what it says on the tin. We've roamed around the RS Sailing Warehouse to find...
RS400 Nationals

Rockshore/Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

by Andrew Vaughan Now in its 18th year, RS400 winter series continues to grow from strength to strength. The 2024 event welcomes the return of class stalwart Dave Cheyne, sailing with Susan...

RS CAT12 Key Features – Watch The Video!

RS CAT12 - New For 2024/25 Bringing simplicity back to the beach, the RS CAT12 is an entry-level catamaran that's fun to sail and easy to handle. It's designed for beginners, training centres,...

How to pack up your dinghy for the winter

The end of the UK racing season is nearly here after some blindingly sunny days over the last few weeks. The strong winds are back, the sea state is kicking up, and the air temperature is dropping....

RS Aero – New Pricing secured until summer 2025

Following the announcement of the exclusive RS Aero 10-year Anniversary Offer, which proved exceptionally popular during the Southampton International Boat Show, the lead time on a new RS...

RS Aero European Team Race Youth Championships preview

Report and images by Elena Giolai Società Canottieri Ichnusa and Lega Navale del Sulcis the FIV clubs organising the continental team event. From 25 to 27 October, 12 teams representing 9 nations...

High Winds, Fierce Competition and Inclusive Comradery at the RS Venture Connect World Championship 2024

Strong winds, biting rain and literal whirlwinds of fun! The 2024 RS Venture Connect World Championship may have encountered challenging weather conditions at Rutland Sailing Club 30th September to...

Tight RS21 Racing at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2024

Wet, wild and windy! The second edition of the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship was held at Rutland Sailing Club, 30th September to 3rd October 2024, with RS Sailing’s RS21s as the...

New Champions Crowned amid Epic Conditions at the RS21 World Championship 2024

After a final day of epic conditions in the Bay of Roses in L’Escala, Spain, the 2024 RS21 World Champions are crowned. Italian team, Stenghele, helmed by Pietro Negri with crew Niccolo Bianchi,...

Introducing the RS CAT12 – Simple, Fun & Zippy!

Simple, fun and zippy! We are excited to launch the newest addition to our range; the RS CAT12. The peppy younger sibling of the RS CAT16 and RS CAT14, this boat brings simplicity...
RS400 Nationals

Rockshore/Bosun Bobs RS400 Winter Series at Royal North of Ireland Yacht Club

by Andrew Vaughan Now in its 18th year, RS400 winter series continues to grow from strength to strength. The 2024 event welcomes the return of class stalwart Dave Cheyne, sailing with Susan...

RS CAT12 Key Features – Watch The Video!

RS CAT12 - New For 2024/25 Bringing simplicity back to the beach, the RS CAT12 is an entry-level catamaran that's fun to sail and easy to handle. It's designed for beginners, training centres,...

How to pack up your dinghy for the winter

The end of the UK racing season is nearly here after some blindingly sunny days over the last few weeks. The strong winds are back, the sea state is kicking up, and the air temperature is dropping....

RS Aero – New Pricing secured until summer 2025

Following the announcement of the exclusive RS Aero 10-year Anniversary Offer, which proved exceptionally popular during the Southampton International Boat Show, the lead time on a new RS...

RS Aero European Team Race Youth Championships preview

Report and images by Elena Giolai Società Canottieri Ichnusa and Lega Navale del Sulcis the FIV clubs organising the continental team event. From 25 to 27 October, 12 teams representing 9 nations...

High Winds, Fierce Competition and Inclusive Comradery at the RS Venture Connect World Championship 2024

Strong winds, biting rain and literal whirlwinds of fun! The 2024 RS Venture Connect World Championship may have encountered challenging weather conditions at Rutland Sailing Club 30th September to...

Tight RS21 Racing at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2024

Wet, wild and windy! The second edition of the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship was held at Rutland Sailing Club, 30th September to 3rd October 2024, with RS Sailing’s RS21s as the...

New Champions Crowned amid Epic Conditions at the RS21 World Championship 2024

After a final day of epic conditions in the Bay of Roses in L’Escala, Spain, the 2024 RS21 World Champions are crowned. Italian team, Stenghele, helmed by Pietro Negri with crew Niccolo Bianchi,...

Introducing the RS CAT12 – Simple, Fun & Zippy!

Simple, fun and zippy! We are excited to launch the newest addition to our range; the RS CAT12. The peppy younger sibling of the RS CAT16 and RS CAT14, this boat brings simplicity...

Italy Dominates on Day 1 at RS21 World Championship 2024

The first races of the RS21 World Championship 2024 took to the Bay of Roses on Wednesday 25th September. The fleet sailed the three races during the opening day in fantastic conditions L’Escala is...

RS CAT12 Key Features – Watch The Video!

RS CAT12 - New For 2024/25 Bringing simplicity back to the beach, the RS CAT12 is an entry-level catamaran that's fun to sail and easy to handle. It's designed for beginners, training centres,...

How to pack up your dinghy for the winter

The end of the UK racing season is nearly here after some blindingly sunny days over the last few weeks. The strong winds are back, the sea state is kicking up, and the air temperature is dropping....

RS Aero – New Pricing secured until summer 2025

Following the announcement of the exclusive RS Aero 10-year Anniversary Offer, which proved exceptionally popular during the Southampton International Boat Show, the lead time on a new RS...

RS Aero European Team Race Youth Championships preview

Report and images by Elena Giolai Società Canottieri Ichnusa and Lega Navale del Sulcis the FIV clubs organising the continental team event. From 25 to 27 October, 12 teams representing 9 nations...

High Winds, Fierce Competition and Inclusive Comradery at the RS Venture Connect World Championship 2024

Strong winds, biting rain and literal whirlwinds of fun! The 2024 RS Venture Connect World Championship may have encountered challenging weather conditions at Rutland Sailing Club 30th September to...

Tight RS21 Racing at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2024

Wet, wild and windy! The second edition of the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship was held at Rutland Sailing Club, 30th September to 3rd October 2024, with RS Sailing’s RS21s as the...

New Champions Crowned amid Epic Conditions at the RS21 World Championship 2024

After a final day of epic conditions in the Bay of Roses in L’Escala, Spain, the 2024 RS21 World Champions are crowned. Italian team, Stenghele, helmed by Pietro Negri with crew Niccolo Bianchi,...

Introducing the RS CAT12 – Simple, Fun & Zippy!

Simple, fun and zippy! We are excited to launch the newest addition to our range; the RS CAT12. The peppy younger sibling of the RS CAT16 and RS CAT14, this boat brings simplicity...

Italy Dominates on Day 1 at RS21 World Championship 2024

The first races of the RS21 World Championship 2024 took to the Bay of Roses on Wednesday 25th September. The fleet sailed the three races during the opening day in fantastic conditions L’Escala is...

L’Escala Officially Opens the RS21 World Championship 2024

The 2024 RS21 World Championship in L'Escala officially commenced on Monday 23rd September, in an opening ceremony that took place at 6pm in the Regatta Village at Club Nàutic L'Escala. The...

How to pack up your dinghy for the winter

The end of the UK racing season is nearly here after some blindingly sunny days over the last few weeks. The strong winds are back, the sea state is kicking up, and the air temperature is dropping....

RS Aero – New Pricing secured until summer 2025

Following the announcement of the exclusive RS Aero 10-year Anniversary Offer, which proved exceptionally popular during the Southampton International Boat Show, the lead time on a new RS...

RS Aero European Team Race Youth Championships preview

Report and images by Elena Giolai Società Canottieri Ichnusa and Lega Navale del Sulcis the FIV clubs organising the continental team event. From 25 to 27 October, 12 teams representing 9 nations...

High Winds, Fierce Competition and Inclusive Comradery at the RS Venture Connect World Championship 2024

Strong winds, biting rain and literal whirlwinds of fun! The 2024 RS Venture Connect World Championship may have encountered challenging weather conditions at Rutland Sailing Club 30th September to...

Tight RS21 Racing at the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship 2024

Wet, wild and windy! The second edition of the International Inclusive Keelboat Championship was held at Rutland Sailing Club, 30th September to 3rd October 2024, with RS Sailing’s RS21s as the...

New Champions Crowned amid Epic Conditions at the RS21 World Championship 2024

After a final day of epic conditions in the Bay of Roses in L’Escala, Spain, the 2024 RS21 World Champions are crowned. Italian team, Stenghele, helmed by Pietro Negri with crew Niccolo Bianchi,...

Introducing the RS CAT12 – Simple, Fun & Zippy!

Simple, fun and zippy! We are excited to launch the newest addition to our range; the RS CAT12. The peppy younger sibling of the RS CAT16 and RS CAT14, this boat brings simplicity...

Italy Dominates on Day 1 at RS21 World Championship 2024

The first races of the RS21 World Championship 2024 took to the Bay of Roses on Wednesday 25th September. The fleet sailed the three races during the opening day in fantastic conditions L’Escala is...

L’Escala Officially Opens the RS21 World Championship 2024

The 2024 RS21 World Championship in L'Escala officially commenced on Monday 23rd September, in an opening ceremony that took place at 6pm in the Regatta Village at Club Nàutic L'Escala. The...

The RS Aero Bike Challenge – Day 1

The RS Team set off from Coningsby, Lincolnshire, this morning, officially marking the start of the RS Aero Cycle Challenge after weeks of build-up. The chilly conditions were nothing...

Pin It on Pinterest