100 Boats on the Start Line for JOG Yacht Racing Season Opener
18 March 2026
The JOG Yacht Racing season gets underway this weekend, with a strong fleet expected on the start line for the opening race of 2026. Entries continue to build, with 100 boats already entered in the Lewmar Lonely Tower Race.
The race marks the start of JOG’s Coastal Series, which, alongside the Offshore Series, forms a full programme of racing throughout the season, attracting a broad mix of double handed and fully crewed teams.
Racing Manager Martin Evans commented:
“It’s a really strong turnout for the first race, which is great to see. There’s a good energy around the opening weekend, and it feels like the fleet is ready to get going again. We’ve made a few small changes behind the scenes that should make things run more smoothly for everyone.”
For 2026, JOG introduces a new digital racing platform, with competitors required to complete crew check ins via the Nautical Cloud Racing App. ID gates have been removed, simplifying race management on the water, and a revised starting sequence has also been introduced.
The 2026 calendar includes a full schedule of offshore and coastal racing, with the Henri-Lloyd JOG Week heading to Dartmouth from 25 to 29 July. The event promises to be a highlight of the season, combining competitive racing with a strong shoreside programme.
New for 2026 is the Women in JOG initiative, with the introduction of the Women’s Sailing Series, designed to encourage more women to race with JOG. JOG Vice Captain Florence Hubert, who leads the initiative, commented:
“The Women’s Sailing Series, sponsored by Nautical Cloud, is all about opening up more opportunities for women in amateur coastal and offshore yacht racing and highlighting just how accessible, enjoyable and rewarding our sport can be. It’s brilliant to see more women joining the club, and we are looking forward to welcoming even more female sailors to the JOG fleet this season.”
Generation JOG continues to expand as a key pathway into coastal and offshore racing, offering younger sailors aged 18 to 29 structured opportunities to develop their skills and gain experience on the water. The programme includes dedicated training weekends, subsidised courses through Chieftain Training, and added incentives across the season, including the chance to win a £500 Henri-Lloyd voucher at 12 races. Further details on the Henri-Lloyd and JOG renewal can be found here.
JOG continues to be supported by a number of established industry partners, including Henri-Lloyd, Lewmar, OneSails GBR South, PredictWind, OsmotechUK, Stoneways, and Nautical Cloud. New sponsors for 2026 include Spinlock, Howard Tenens, and Seldén, all supporting JOG Yacht Racing and its growing membership.
Racing this weekend will be followed by traditional post-race socials, with competitors expected to regroup ashore at the Island Sailing Club and the Royal Southern Yacht Club.
With 100 boats already entered, it is shaping up to be a great start to the season and a strong indicator of what is to come.
