Commodore's Weekend

Published 17:12 on 12 Jun 2026

Commodore's Trophy 2026

June 67, 2026

Number of boats: 32

How it was scored: 6 races total, with each sailor's 2 worst races discarded.

Overall Summary

It was a busy weekend at Ripon Sailing Club with a big turnout of 32 boats for the Commodore's Trophy. We saw a huge mix of classes racing against each other using the handicap system, from tiny junior Optimists to fast single-handers and double-handed boats.

The overall winners were the father-and-son team of Roger and Henry Tait in their Mirror Dinghy. They sailed incredibly well all weekend in some tricky and blustery conditions, winning three of the six races. They took home the trophy by just one point over Ian Priest, who led the fleet on Saturday. The Tait's victory showed exactly how the handicap system should work over a mixed fleet of different boats equalising boat speed and allowing slower boats to sail on parity with quicker boats.

Final Results (Top 10)

How the Racing Went Down

Saturday (Races 1 3)

Roger and Henry Tait got off to a great start by winning Race 1 after the handicap times were worked out. But the rest of Saturday belonged to Ian Priest in his Streaker. Ian sailed brilliantly, winning both Race 2 and Race 3 back-to-back, which put him in the lead by Saturday night.

Sunday (Races 4 6)

Things changed on Sunday because a few of the top sailorsincluding Ian Priestdidn't stay to race the final couple of races in the afternoon.

Roger and Henry Tait took full advantage of this. They won Race 4 and Race 5 in a row. By the time Race 6 came around, Richard Oliver won the final race in his ILCA 7, but the Taits finished right behind him in 2nd place. That was more than enough to secure them the overall weekend win.

Highlights

• A Great Weekend for the Taits: Along with Roger and Henry winning the whole event, young Archie Tait had an awesome weekend in his Optimist. He placed 5th overall against the adults and took home the top junior prize.
• What If? Ian Priest was incredibly fast on Saturday and Sunday morning, finishing 2nd, 1st, 1st, and 2nd. If he had stayed to sail the last two races on Sunday who knows what would have happened.
• Sunday Comeback: Richard Oliver missed all of Saturday's racing but came out firing on Sunday. He went 5th, 2nd, and 1st in the final three races, showing great speed to crack the top 10 overall anyway.

Sailors came in on Saturday and attended the annual prize giving (thanks to Chris Wright for sorting all the engraving out much appreciated by all) after using the club's barbecues to sort something to eat on. After the prize giving it was all go on the Karaoke which was thoroughly enjoyed by a select number of members. Some of the members making a real night of it and camping over on the field. Overall a great event both on and off the water!

Last updated 17:12 on 12 June 2026