RS21 UK & Ireland Cup 2025 Round 1 at Warsash Sailing Club
by Liam Willis 15 Apr 18:28 BST
12-13 April 2025
The 2025 RS21 UK & Ireland Cup kicked off in fine form with Round 1 hosted in Hamble-le-Rice over the weekend of 12-13 April. As the first event in a six-round series, excitement was high across the fleet to get back on the water and into race mode.
Racing was organised by Warsash Sailing Club as part of the Spring One-Design Championships, the RS fleet was based out of the Royal Southern Yacht Club, where the RS21 fleet had dedicated pontoon space—perfect for tuning rigs, team briefings, and post-race dock socials.
The fleet completed seven races—four on Saturday and three on Sunday—in a weekend that delivered a classic mix of spring conditions.
Saturday: Light and Tactical
Saturday brought light and shifty breeze ranging from 8-12 knots, testing patience and tactical nous. The first three races were dominated by Liam Willis on Dark and Stormy, who came out of the gates fast and clean to notch a hat-trick of wins. RS Electric, skippered by Alex Newton-Southon, steadily improved throughout the day as they got to grips with the boat and clinched the final race of the day. Meanwhile, 5 O'Clock Somewhere showed consistent form, grabbing a standout 2nd place in Race 1 and maintaining solid finishes throughout.
Notable mentions go to Oliver Bond and team, sailing the RS21 for the first time and mixing it up in Race 2, and Martin Wadsworth, also at his debut event, who had a day-long battle with Philip Grannum, trading places in every race.
Tight start lines added a layer of excitement and challenge, with crews fighting hard to carve out space. The strong tidal flow played a huge role, making the left (inshore) side of the course favourable upwind, although staying in phase with the shifts was key for big gains. Downwind legs offshore typically paid off, but keeping a clean lane and clear air was essential.
Sunday: Breeze On and Game On
Sunday delivered a totally different scene with 15-20 knots of breeze and building sea state. The racing at the top end of the fleet became a tactical and physical battle. RS Electric showed blistering upwind speed, while Dark and Stormy had the edge downwind, leading to a thrilling game of cat and mouse in each race.
In Races 5 and 6, Dark and Stormy just managed to snatch victory on the final downwind legs, catching and overtaking RS Electric with impressive speed and smart positioning. However in the final race Dark and Stormy's pace was not enough to catch the charging RS Electric team. Meanwhile, 5 O'Clock Somewhere continued their consistent performance, posting straight podium finishes on the day.
Throughout the fleet, tight battles and frequent place changes kept the pressure on, with plenty of close crosses and tactical plays. The increasing wind and wave conditions made for a physically demanding but seriously fun day on the water. A cross-tide course created tricky lay lines and a confused wave state, keeping crews focused and sharp all the way to the finish.
Podium Results:
1st GBR252 - Dark & Stormy, Liam Willis, Keith Willis, Will Taylor, Will Homewood
2nd GBR342 - RS Electric, Alex Newton-Southon, Ian Jubb, Joe Bradley, Craig Burlton
3rd GBR315 - 5 o'clock somewhere, Ben Rolfe, Nigel Rolfe, Peter Chaplin, Richard Watsham
Special mentions go RS Electric for winning day 1 prize for winning the last race of the day as a new team. Philip Grannum's Attabuoy won day 2 prize for the most improved performance gains since last season.
Off the water, the RS21 community made the most of the social side with dock parties and beers after racing both days, and a relaxed group dinner at the pub on Saturday night, solidifying the class's reputation for mixing top competition with great vibes.
Huge thanks go to Slam and Harken for supporting the event with prizes, and to Oli King for capturing the action with a fantastic set of photos.
What's Next?
The RS21s head to Lymington for Round 2 on 9-11 May. The fleet is expected to grow, with charter boats available—so now's the time to get involved!
More photos at www.olikingphotography.com/rs21ukandirelandcup2025hamble
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Boat Name | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | GBR252 | Liam Willis | Dark & Stormy | 1 | 1 | 1 | ‑2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| 2nd | GBR342 | Alex Newton‑Southon | RS Electric | ‑3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 10 |
| 3rd | GBR315 | Ben Rolfe | Vengabus | 2 | ‑4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 17 |
| 4th | GBR284 | Oliver Bond | | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | ‑6 | 4 | 24 |
| 5th | GBR154 | Martin Wadsworth | Team Monkey | 5 | ‑6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 28 |
| 6th | GBR208 | Philip Grannum | Attabuoy | 6 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | (NSC) | 34 |