Hold onto your hats, sailing enthusiasts, because the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series has just taken a thrilling turn! Gavin Fleming has surged to the top of the leaderboard with his Hadron H2 singlehander, leaving competitors in his wake. But here's where it gets even more exciting: the race for the overall title is far from over, and the drama is only intensifying as we approach the final events.
With five events already completed in this season’s series, Fleming has claimed the top spot, edging out seasoned sailors like Paul Young and Igor Bakowski, who trail closely behind in their Enterprise. But is Fleming’s lead secure? That’s the million-dollar question. And this is the part most people miss: the top 12 boats in the standings represent a diverse array of classes, with hiking boats dominating the leaderboard. Among the trapeze classes, the Osprey sailed by Roger and Jamie Blake stands out as the highest-placed contender.
Here’s where it gets controversial: Tom Gillard and Rach Gray, who won the first three events in their Merlin Rocket, have slipped to fifth place overall after missing two key races. But don’t count them out just yet! In the 'best of four' scoring system, they’re still very much in the running for the title. All they need is one more strong performance to reclaim their spot at the top. With three events left—Rutland, Grafham, and Oxford—the stage is set for a nail-biting finale.
Speaking of upcoming events, the Tiger Trophy at Rutland Water is just around the corner on January 31 and February 1. And the weekend after, the Grafham Grand Prix will finally take place after being postponed a few weeks ago. Will these races be the game-changers we’re all anticipating? Only time will tell.
For those eager to dive deeper into the action, resident coach Simon Horsfield—a three-time series winner—is offering invaluable tips and advice throughout the season, thanks to new sponsor Navigators & General. His insights from the Bloody Mary event are a must-read for sailors of all levels.
Now, let’s break down the standings by category, because the competition is fierce across the board. From the Old-Boats to the FastA classes, every race has its own story. But here’s a question to ponder: With such diversity in boat classes and age groups, is the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series becoming the ultimate test of versatility in sailing? Or does it favor certain types of sailors over others? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Finally, mark your calendars for the remaining events in the 2025/26 series, culminating in the Prizegiving at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show on February 21, 2026. For more details, visit www.SailJuiceSeries.com and join the conversation. Who do you think will take home the title this year? Let the debates begin!
