The Royal Corinthian Yacht Club is set to host the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club Squib Gold Cup over the early May Bank Holiday weekend, 3rd and 4th of May 2025. The event promises to be a stellar showcase of the club’s unique blend of competitive racing and hospitality.
Over two days, competitors will race in eight scheduled races, followed by a Pan-Asian-themed bistro on Saturday evening and a DJ set. The weekend will culminate with a Sunday Prize Giving dinner, prepared by the renowned chefs at the Royal Corinthian. The event will feature an eclectic mix of current and former National Champions, Burnham Week winners, and Squib legends, all vying for victory.
Predicting the winner is no easy task due to the high caliber of the sailors. Among the top competitors are current National Champions Mick Wright and Alex Porteous, who are looking to turn their many second-place finishes from the last edition into a victory. Burnham Week champions Ray Apthorp and Ian Simons will no doubt provide tough competition.
Multiple past Gold Cup and National Championship winner Nigel Grogan has enlisted Chris Agar, the most successful crew in the event’s post-pandemic history, for a shot at the title. Grogan’s son, Jack, and Mike Banks will compete against Daniel Henderson and Hattie Henderson in a battle for the unofficial title of “best young dad or soon-to-be-dad helming a Squib.”
A key feature of the weekend will be the class captains’ showdown. Ex-captain Dan Wastnage, crewed by Keith Gilmour and Charlie Mathews, will race against current captain Phil Aspinall, who will be teamed with Dave Sheppard. Aspinall is hoping for a win on the water—rather than in the “who will fall asleep first at the party” contest.
Visitors to the event will include Patrick Wilton and Mike Taylor from Haven Ports Yacht Club, who will also host the East Coast Championships later in July. They will be joined by Chip Cole and David Smith, who travelled from the nearby club.
Freshly polished boats from Nick Milton and Gavin Kemp will look to improve their racing performance, while Nic Tolhurst and Ross Corbett are aiming to complete more races than in previous years. Mark Flynn and Jonny Beale, both familiar with the windward/leeward championship course, will be aiming to stay on course, while Ian Scott will hope to avoid breaking his replacement crew, Julia Batchelor.
Returning to the helm of Lady Penelope after impressive performances in a Blaze earlier this season, Malcolm Hutchings, crewed by Andy Carley, will look to disrupt the champions. Carl Anderson, taking a break from house renovations, will race alongside helm Jason Phelps.
With ideal wind conditions forecast for Squib racing, the event is shaping up to be a memorable one. Additionally, the freshly reopened club balcony will provide a perfect vantage point for spectators as the fleet competes in what promises to be a thrilling regatta.
