Centenary Cup 2026

Published 20:27 on 7 Jun 2026

Centenary Cup 2026 - report by OOD Peter I.

The Centenary Cup was donated by Louis Derham, Commodore of the club in 1885, the club's Centenary Year. Richard Harris was second in the race that year and returned to win it in 1986. The question was who would win in 2026. Over the years the Centenary Cup has been won by Fireflies, Solos, Lasers (ILCAs), Merlins and more. Originally comprised of two, two hour races, the format has evolved to a 90 minute pursuit.

The unique perspective of the RO viewing from the box and a leading committee boat provides a wonderful insight into what takes place in a Pursuit. On Sunday 7 June 2026 we had a lone Topper, TED helmed by Hector C. His start was at 11am finishing 90 mins later at 12:30, with the chasing boats hoping to make up ground after their delayed starts. Taking advantage of an early ILCA arrival, the RO sent John Kemp upwind with a radio to check out the wind above the island in lieu a 10:30 am Blue race, for which JK had rigged in good time.

Having fallen into the river while tying up, one of the patrol crews had gone for a change of clothing. While a second boat and some volunteers were launched the decision was made using the intel from JK to set a long course 'L' Canbury and Lensbury to port. Being a pursuit it is useful to lay a long course to separate out the fleet. With plenty of wind above the island the Canbury mark was around the second Willow tree so a good distance upstream, while avoiding the wind shadows closer to the bridge.

Launched in good time Hector C was well set at his 10:55 Topper warning signal. His start was at speed and fairly cautious. Crossing the line 12 seconds into his 15 minute head start he soon disappeared around the bend past the Scouts. A patrol safety boat was dispatched as escort and Chris Wade and Brian Harper-Lewis remained tied to a post on the clubhouse Middlesex bank up near the Canbury mark for most of the race, supervising the stretch above the island from a lovely sheltered spot.

The staggered starts based on Portsmouth Handicaps and the use of sounds not flags used in the start sequence required concentration by the competitors if they wanted to hit the line at speed on time. Notably one or two were very well organised and set their watches to countdown in synch with the atomic race clock. The use of flags will go under review, as there is arguably a great utility in having them in use.

On this occasion the RO provided guidance by microphone, but flags are a very useful visual guide to sailors who may not hear the guidance over the tannoy. Some did sail close to the line and listened for microphone guidance as the warning signals and starts came close together. Two Solos went at 11:15, three ILCAs at 11:17 including Hector's father Roberto, six Merlins at 11:26 and two National 18s at 11:27. The chasing pack was well and truly away.

Lensbury was laid some way down stream in the middle of the river. An optical illusion was noted when a patrol boat confirmed the positioning was central, despite the mark appearing from the box to be very close to the opposite bank.

By the end of the first lap, Jim Hamilton was in the lead, crossing the start line upstream at 11:46:15. At the same time the leading Merlins were about to cross the start line heading downstream and by 11:57:30 they made the turn back upstream and they soon overhauled Jim to take the lead in the race.

At the second rounding of the Canbury mark Andy Harris and Lyra Wade in Crescendo 607 were neck and neck with Richard Harris and Emma McDonald in Passing Cloud 1079. The Merlins turned downstream for the second time at 12:01 and launched spinnakers once more for the run back downstream.

At this stage of the race there were no more than about 5 seconds separating them.

Past the island, on the bend by the sea scouts Crescendo caught a gust and powered past Passing Cloud using the inside of the turn.

Fatefully, having taken the lead at 12:07 Crescendo then dropped their blue spinnaker. Passing Cloud caught the wind in their turn and with the larger sail still flying and filling well now, they accelerated past Crescendo and into the lead once again.

Passing Cloud turned at Lensbury at 12:10 and completing lap two at 12:11:55 at this point Crescendo was about 40 seconds back. With the Solos retiring at the clubhouse around 12:21 the leading two boats beat up to round Canbury for the third time.

They rounded at 12:22 and on this run Passing Cloud was at full speed.

Looking ahead, the leaders were faced with a narrow path as the Sea Scouts rowed side by side in a race of their own upstream into the channel by the island just as the chasing fleet was beating up into it and the lead Merlins were on a full run down the channel.

With great care and skill the Merlins made it back once again to the bend and the case was on down to Lensbury mark in the few minutes remaining before the finish at 12:30.

The RO Peter Impey was accompanied by Valerie Rutter ready to display the Blue flag indicating a finishing line and Alexey Anatskiy to record the finishing positions. The committee boat was placed in position ready to create a running finish line. Passing Cloud ran out of wind somewhat towards Lensbury and ominously with only 2 minutes to go Crescendo was at full pace under spinnaker.

In the end, Passing Cloud made the Lensbury mark turn and was finished first. Trinity Lion then made its way back through the fleet, finishing boats on the water and making a note of the finishing order.

Fourth was Tim Barr, crewed by Alastair Banks in the lovingly restored Merlin, Magician 522. Third in ILCA 171599 Grafitti was John Kemp. Second was Andy Harris crewed by Lyra Wade in a Merlin, Crescendo 607 and winner of the Centenary Cup 2026 was Richard Harris, crewed by Emma McDonald in a Merlin, Passing Cloud 1079.

Hector C won first Junior and was presented with a small Cup from 1965. He was invited to return to defend it in 2027.

Report and pictures by OOD, Peter I.

Centenary Cup 2026 - winners: Richard Harris, crewed by Emma McDonald in a Merlin, Passing Cloud 1079

Second - Second was Andy Harris crewed by Lyra Wade in a Merlin, Crescendo 607.

Third - Third in ILCA 171599 Grafitti was John Kemp.

Fourth - Fourth was Tim Barr, crewed by Alastair Banks in the lovingly restored Merlin, Magician 522.

First Junior

Last updated 21:34 on 7 June 2026