The Cowes Etchells fleet proudly announces it’s 2025 racing program, as well as some far reaching developments in the fleet.
The class has grown and flourished in recent years under the leadership of David Franks, joined latterly by David Maclean. On their respective watches the Cowes fleet has seen growing entries as well as the dramatic success of the Etchells Youth Academy. In 2024 alone we saw alumni of the Academy, winning awards, winning gold medals at the Olympics and multiple representation at the America’s Cup in Barcelona. In 2024 the fleet welcomed the arrival of the Youth Performance Program which not only has enabled the very best of the UK’s emerging keelboat sailors but also a host of visiting international sailors from Australia, New Zealand and Hong Kong to compete in Cowes. The fleet is prospering and has a fantastic platform to pave the way to host the Etchells World Championships in 2028. The newly formed committee comprises Fleet Captain Shaun Frohlich, Ante Razmilovic, Ted Blowers, Rob Goddard, Jon Holt and Treasurer, David Tydeman.
For 2025, there will be a winter development program running January to March and from April to October, fleet racing arranged in two series that will run concurrently. The winter development program will be open to keelboat sailors from Etchells as well as other fleets and will sit alongside the world-renowned youth program, instigated by David Franks. Charter boats will be available for dedicated development weekends. For the Youth Program teams will be systematically trained and via competition at a selection weekend the top performers will be awarded a scholarship boat to campaign for the season or part-sponsorship thereof. Some great sailors have honed their skills as part of or alongside the Cowes Etchells Youth Academy so hot competition is anticipated for the limited number of places.
From April to October, two year long trophies will be contested for. There will be a national series and interlaced an international series. Locals are likely to compete at all events whilst sailors competing in other classes and from overseas are likely to focus on the international events.
Cowes International Series [CIS] – Comprising 6 world class racing for international and local sailors. The events provide elite Etchells sailors a program to complement the Miami Etchells Winter series, bringing together international teams from fleets in the US, Australia, Hong Kong, Holland, Scotland, alongside top sailors from other classes seeking to pit their skills, competing in the Etchells. The CIS is unique as it combines top quality race management, with good availability of high calibre boats for charter at an exceptional venue world famous for great sailing with excellent facilities, accommodation and hospitality. All CIS events are denoted as world championship qualifiers and comprise the following events. The Royal Yacht Squadron’s Sir Kenneth Preston, the Bedrock Trophy, the 4 day Etchells National Championship hosted by the Royal Thames Yacht Club as part of their Centenary celebrations, the European Championship, the South Coast Championship and the David Franks Cup. Each event has it’s own prestige and the overall winner will be the highest placed competitor, in 5 of the 6 events. It is a racing program like no other for top sailors the world over.
Cowes National Series [CNS] – Competing for title of National Series Champions, 6 further events in the Cowes Etchells Fleet are scheduled with the best 5 of the 6 results to count. The objective of the national program is to provide ample fleet racing in Cowes across the season and regular events for the local fleet. Visitors will be welcome and competitive weekend charter boats will be available. The CNS provides a wide spread set of racing opportunities for new teams and sailors to compete and excel in the class. Highlights of this program include the Etchells Youth Academy selection weekend, a mid-season coached regatta and a ladies regatta. At the end of the season there will be a Hamble based party and awards ceremony.
It is set to be one of the greatest year the fleet has seen, here are some of the highlight events for 2025:
- Etchells Open Training Camps – A re-name on the Etchells Youth Academy Weekends, to encourage all Etchells teams (including anyone who wants to try an Etchells for a weekend) to join in with the Etchells Youth Academy intake for 2025 during their training weekends before the season officially starts
- Etchells Youth Academy Trials / Spring Regatta – The Etchells Youth Academy Trials for 2025 will be incorporated into the first regatta of the 2025 season, giving the chance for the Youth Sailors competing for a spot in the 2025 academy to meet members of the fleet.
- Etchells National Championships [12/13/14/15 June] – Will be run by the Royal Thames Yacht Club during their 250th anniversary regatta. 3 days of windward/leeward racing, with a Cowes Week like event being hosted out of Cowes Yacht Haven, food stands, live music, and beer tents will be available after each day of racing.
- Etchells European Championships [3/4/5/6 July] – The European Championships is our showcase regatta of 2025! With the World Championships in 2028, the 2025 Europeans will aim to present the structure, and build excitement for the World Championships in Cowes for 2028, with great anticipation of World-class sailors from other Etchells fleets expected to join us for this event.
- Southern Area Championships [12/13 July] – For this event, the Cowes Etchells Fleet will be hosting this regatta from the Royal Southern Yacht Club (RSYC) for the weekend, and will be working in conjunction with the RSYC’s Summer Series regatta. For this regatta, and this regatta only, we will be hosting our competitive fleet from the Royal Southern, outside of Cowes Yacht Haven. The Southern Area Championships will be a coached weekend, with the coaching team to be announced in due course.
- Ice Bucket / Women’s Championship [5/6 October] – The fleet is very happy to announce that 2025 will host the first edition of the Etchells Women’s Championship, which will work with the Ice Bucket Trophy, and that the fleet will be working in conjunction with the Women’s Open Keelboat Championships to build this regatta. Every boat must have a female helm to compete in the regatta, but can build the rest of the team however they require under the 285kg class weight limit.
