Thames A Raters compete for the Bragança Bowl and Yates Cup

This weekend saw the Thames A-Raters sailing at Tamesis for the Bragança Bowl and Yates Cup. The Bragança Bowl is awarded for the best 4 races of five over the two days while the Yates Cup is awarded to the winning boat of the last race on the Saturday.

The Thames A-Raters date back to the 1880s and are sailed on the Thames primarily at Thames Sailing Club where most of the 'Raters' can be found; there is also an active fleet at Upper Thames Sailing Club. A history of the boats can be found via this link. Thames A-Raters

The Bragança Bowl was presented to Thames SC by the Duke of Braganca and was first raced for in 1904. Luís Filipe the Duke of Bragança was made an Honorary Member of Thames Sailing Club following several visits when in the UK in 1904. He kindly gave the magnificent Portuguese silver trophy known as the Bragança Bowl to TSC. In exchange TSC gave him a photograph album. What is fascinating about this album is that it includes the results from the first Bragança Bowl which included the participation of Scamp, an A-Rater that continues to sail today and competed in the Regatta at Tamesis the previous weekend!

The House of Braganza retains strong contemporary links to sailing, maritime affairs, and ocean conservation through both its main Portuguese branch and its Brazilian imperial cadet branch. Earlier this year Manuel de Orléans e Bragança, a member of the younger generation of the Brazilian branch of the family beat 283 other boats to win the Optimist Sailing World Championship, which took place in Tangiers, Morocco.

The Bragança Bowl 2026 was competed for over two days with two races on Saturday and three races on Sunday. Saturday saw very close racing with places changing constantly. The reach became quite congested during racing as a large flotilla of cruisers set off from Steven's Eyot towards Kingston bridge, resulting in some exciting navigational challenges for the Raters. In the first race, Scamp benefitted from penalty turns and a broken kicking strap aboard Adventurer and took the win. Adventurer was able to jury rig a kicker for the second race and proceeded to sail to a win taking the Yates cup (although this was subject to protest, which was later withdrawn prior to hearing, such withdrawal being granted as there were no unresolved issues involving serious damage, injury, or potential misconduct).

On Sunday the 3rd race was won by Osprey who had a significant lead during the race beating Adventurer into second. There was very close racing again in race 4 with a number of 720 penalties having to be paid.The race came to a climax with all three boats changing places on the last beat and finishing within 10 secs of each other with Scamp in the lead followed by Osprey and then Adventurer. The last race was won by Scamp (who also competed in 1904) which made them winner overall on count back with 6 points. In second was Osprey, another vintage A-Rater and in third place was Adventurer a modern design and build.

The OOD for Saturday racing was Richard Harris with assistance of Emma McDonald and with Jemma Horwood and Timothy Barr in the patrol boat. For Sundays racing Andy Harris took over OOD duties with Nim Harris helping in the box; James Hamilton and Ian Wyatt manned the patrol boat.

Inaugural Bragana Cup results from 1904 - Note the participation of Scamp!

Scamp in race 1 of Bragana Bowl 19th September 2026 - Photo Tim Barr

Adventurer, Osprey and Scamp passing Stevens Eyot - Photo Tim Barr

Cakes, competitors and the Bragana Bowl - Photo Peter Impey

Rear Commodore Sailing Peter Impey presided over the prize giving which was held once all the racing had finished, everyone relaxing on the balcony, enjoying a drink from the bar. Adrian Hart graciously thanked the club for putting on the event. Delighted by finally winning the event while on board Scamp.