National 18 English Championships at Blackwater SC 30-31st May 2026
Published 15:56 on 1 Jun 2026
The Optimus Prime crew of Matt PJ, Alison Cooper and Kaan Yargici travelled all the way to Blackwater Sailing Club in Essex over the weekend of 30-31st May 2026 for the National 18 English Championships. Blackwater SC at Maldon is just 55 miles away from Tammy as the crow flies. It's a bit further if you have to use the Dartford Crossing but with an early start Saturday morning it's nearer than you think; especially if you can guarantee some great sailing, plenty of wind, lots of sunshine and some super hospitality from the Berney family!
On Saturday, we sailed two races around all the cans on the River Blackwater in a light Southeasterly of 3-8 knots.
In the evening, we were welcomed at the Berney home in Maldon for Fish & Chips and for a walk down the hill to The Hythe Quay to view the magnificent Thames Barges.
The Optimus Prime crew had chosen to camp at the nearby Chigborough Lakes which proved slightly less than ideal. Essex & Suffolk are in drought and have been experiencing the driest Spring for 15 years. So getting our tent pegs in took quite a feet of strength as a heathy whack with the mallet only served to bend them double!
Fortunately, Sunday morning, started with an early morning walk along the sea wall to view all the birdlife, wrecks in the mud and the ultimate goal of a championship breakfast at the Tiptree Tearoom at Heybridge Basin; owned by Wilkin & Son's, the makers of James Bond's favourite Strawberry Jam from just round the corner in lovely Tiptree.
We sailed another two races around all the cans on the River Blackwater; this time in the opposite direction as the wind had swung 180 degrees to a gusty and shifty Northwesterly of 10-18 knots.
Optimus Prime were absolutely delighted to win the bronze medal. Well done too to the all the new crews on The Shadow and Ace.
Race report: Matt PJ
Results: 1st: The Shadow; 2nd: Ace; 3rd: Optimus Prime.
Last updated 16:09 on 1 June 2026