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Thursday 16th April 2026 – Taylor Trophy

Congratulations to Z74 for winning the first trophy of the season!!!

The first race of the new season. Light winds from the West-South-West. Sapristi as committee boat with Sid in control, ably assisted by his daughterand Mike. But some boats were already racing to the start, but a great total of8 boats on the course. Z80 with only 3 minutes to spare after stepping their mast– very impressive Russ and Martyn.

So, course set from the line to PSC (port)-Naomi House(stbd)- PSC (port) – Line A. Who could remember line A!!!! So a slight bias on the line with Z74 approaching from the windward side – hoping to having a good transit for the start!!! Nice work Tom and team – a great lead at the start due to being on the line!!! Z74 extended through the race, but behind was a different issue – lots of place swapping on the first beat, with Z75 just sneaking in before Z79, Z78 and Z80! The hoist – had all the system been rigged right? – no quite on Z75 – but hopefully none saw. Z79 took advantage to take second place at the leeward mark in front of Z75. Z80 squeezed inside Z78 at the mark in a tight battle for fourth. The race continued with Z75 managing to secure second place on the beat followed by Z79, Z80 and Z78. Z54, Z77 and Z70 followed up behind.

Only for Julian to drop his hat in the water!!!

Scam’s avatar 17-Apr-2026 By Scam in Sailing & racing, Race Report

Here we go again…...!

​With less than a month to the first race of our 2026 (and 92nd) season of Victory racing, there is a buzz of activity in and around Old Portsmouth.

Marks laid, Launches launched, and paint brushes flying back and forth with urgency….or panic…..

​A very special thanks to all our racing mark sponsors again this year. A fine array of freshly painted buoys to acknowledge your great contribution to our class and our racing. (Expertly maintained and laid by Baker Trayte Marine!)

Geoff Dixon’s avatar 22-Mar-2026 By Geoff Dixon in Sailing & racing

Victory Class Prizegiving 2025, the bigger picture(s)!

​A colourful and cheerful night at Portsmouth Sailing Club on Saturday as the Class presented the season’s trophies to helm and crew from a wide cross section of the Victory Fleet. Expertly coordinated by Class Racing Secretary Mark Briggs, with the feeding and watering that followed in the capable hands of Social Secretary Mike Ellison, there were a lot of happy sailors by the end of the evening.

​Amongst others, Richard Burns, winner of the first Crews Race in Z80 Shearwater, and Adrian Parnell, winner of the second Crews Race in Z74 Peregrine collected their prizes. Z75 Zilch, Z79 Zada and Z78 Ziva had their hands full as three of the most consistent winners, and Z74 Peregrine collected the Beazely Trophy for Cowes Week overall… as well as others too numerous to list as the standout boat of the season. Congratulations to them all!

The evening is also an occasion to recognise those who support the running of the class, and Class Captain John Scammell was delighted to present the Don Metcalf Memorial trophy to Phillip Jones from Portsmouth Sailing Club who unfailingly supports the class in so many ways.

The Captains Decanter is presented by the Class Captain to a member who has made a particular contribution to the class and been supportive above and beyond. As the final presentation of the evening it was an emotional moment for all concerned as Maxine Reeves received the decanter for exceptional support over the last 12 months and indeed for her support and participation over many years.

A full set of photos from the evening can be viewed at the following address ==> https://dixong1.smugmug.com/Victory-Class/Prizegiving-2025

Geoff Dixon’s avatar 24-Nov-2025 By Geoff Dixon in Social

Victory Class Prizegiving 2025

​Behind the blue door….. the Victory Class met to celebrate its 91st season in 2025 with a prizegiving at its spiritual home of Portsmouth Sailing Club. Spirits, beer and wine flowed on Saturday night as those with trophies to collect were recognised and cheered by their fellow sailors. None more so then the winner of the coveted Beazley Trophy for Cowes Week overall, Z74 Peregrine, winning for a second year after a gap in 2024… Duncan, Tom and Adrian had plenty of reasons to raise a glass.

​More photos to follow…......

Geoff Dixon’s avatar 21-Nov-2025 By Geoff Dixon in Social
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Zoe Whittaker’s avatar 11-May-2023 By Zoe Whittaker in