On this page you will find the results and reports for the DF TT events from 2026 and any other reports that we get sent.

DF TT Overall scores to Round 5 – DF65 Nationals

DF65 Nationals – East Kent RSC

DF65 National Championship – Barton’s Point delivers a classic

Barton’s Point Coastal Park proved an inspired choice for the 2026 DF65 National Championship. With its expansive car park, on‑site café, proper facilities, secure motorhome area and most importantly a lake offering clean wind from every direction, the venue ticked every box for competitors and organisers alike.

Under the calm and capable leadership of Jim La Roche and his dedicated East Kent Radio Sailing Club team, supported by PRO Wayne Stobbs and volunteers Sharon Plested, Rob Owens, Mike Brand, Adrian Tomlinson, Ralph Wilkinson, Stuart Ord‑Hume and David Davies, the fleet enjoyed one of the most professionally run DF65 championships to date.

Saturday – Weather chaos, patience rewarded

Saturday afternoon brought the kind of weather that tests both sailors and race teams. With winds gusting to 28 knots and sheets of rain sweeping across the lake, conditions briefly became unmanageable. White horses covered the water, rescue boats were unable to launch safely, and the PRO wisely suspended racing.

But Barton’s Point has a secret weapon: a layer of peat over clay that keeps the ground firm and walkable even after heavy rain. As the squalls eased, racing resumed and the fleet completed the full schedule for the day.

C rigs dominated, though a few brave optimists tried their B rigs with mixed results. Tacking off the choppy southern bank became a lottery, with several boats blown ashore before being kindly relaunched by boot‑wearing volunteers.

Sunday – Sunshine, stability and superb racing

Sunday brought dry weather and a steadier 12-16 knots, perfect B‑rig conditions. The race team barely needed to adjust the course all day, testament to the versatility of the southern point of the lake.

The improved visibility and calmer conditions lifted spirits across the fleet but one sailor remained untouchable.

A Masterclass from Craig Richards

The championship belonged to Craig Richards. With blistering boat speed, sharp tactical calls and almost flawless execution, he delivered a commanding performance: 12 wins from 20 races.

His confidence was such that, on Sunday, he briefly switched to a C rig while the entire fleet remained on B rigs and still won comfortably before sensibly switching back.

Behind him, John Tushingham and Nigel Barrow both showed flashes of brilliance but also uncharacteristic unforced errors, not helped by Saturday’s visibility challenges. Close behind came Poole’s Paul Robson, local favourite Dave Adams, and rising talent Finley Dickinson, whose weekend was hampered by electrical gremlins.

Australia’s Steven Findley added international flavour to the top end of the fleet.

A star in the making – Finley Dickinson

One of the weekend’s standout moments came from newcomer Finley Dickinson, who executed a stunning port‑tack start that earned spontaneous applause from the bank.

A quick look at his CV explains everything:

• 2023 U21 ILCA 7 World Champion
• British Sailing Team athlete
• Campaigning for LA 2028
• Currently 2nd in ILCA 7 senior world ranking (last six events)

Craig may need to keep an eye over his shoulder.

The hope now is that Finley encourages more ILCA sailors to discover radio sailing where you can pack a week’s worth of tactical learning into a single day.

A Championship sailed in the right spirit

Despite the challenging conditions, the fleet maintained exemplary sportsmanship. Zero protests were lodged across the entire event, thanks to respectful sailing, attentive observers, and the steady presence of Judge Robert Owens.

A host club to be proud of

The East Kent Radio Sailing Club delivered a superb championship from start to finish. From car‑park marshalling to race management, from hospitality to rescue cover, every volunteer played their part. The club’s efforts were widely praised, and the success of the weekend reinforces Barton’s Point as one of the UK’s premier radio‑sailing venues.

This event also marked the first-ever use of the new aFleet app version, with results available here: https://connect.afleet.app/events/fzw7YIfc13hZFeEXmCiH

Photos and videos by Simon Thornton – https://www.icloud.com/sharedalbum/#B2IGWZuqDGwmqoT

More photos from Dave Budden – https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1o4wSk6VaH5K2pW3gOsWK5p6FdyOWB44x

DF TT Rounds 3 & 4 Poole.

After a reasonable layoff between the first two rounds the DF TT series headed down to the South coast for rounds 3 &4.

Results below.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: Initially soaked but Spirited DF TT Weekend at Southport – Report kindly written by Nigel Barrow.

Southport, UK — Competitors arriving for the DF Traveller Trophy weekend at West Lancashire Sailing Club (WLSC) were greeted by a familiar companion: relentless February rain. For many, the journey north on Friday was a tour of Britain’s saturated landscape, with flooded fields stretching across Oxfordshire and the Midlands. By the time sailors reached Southport, the downpour showed no sign of easing.

Event organiser Alan Tickle, dressed appropriately in full offshore waterproofs, welcomed competitors with characteristic warmth despite the cold, wet conditions. One of WLSC’s many advantages quickly became apparent: motorhome power points, allowing visitors to stay on site without burning through fuel to keep warm.

WLSC once again proved why it is considered one of the premier venues for radio sailing in the UK. The club offers expansive flat parking, a well‑equipped clubhouse, free tea and coffee, excellent homemade cakes, hot showers, and a comfortable viewing area for supporters. With the clubhouse perched directly beside the lake and a patio leading straight to the water, it is an ideal setting for competitive model yacht racing.

DF65 — Saturday

After Friday’s deluge, Saturday delivered a welcome reprieve. Patches of sunshine broke through as Alan Tickle opened proceedings before handing over to Race Officer Tim Long, who briefed competitors on the course and promotion/demotion procedures. A mischievous moment followed as Tim set the windward mark so far away it was barely visible—before sensibly moving it closer.

Seeding races were won by John Tushingham and Peter Baldwin, with Craig Richards and Simon Clark close behind. As the heats settled into rhythm, Craig and John began to assert control at the front. Dave Adams, Peter and Paul Robson delivered steady performances to secure the next group of positions.

The author, however, endured a morning to forget—complete with a last‑minute rig change and a late arrival to the start. Lunch in the warm clubhouse provided a brief respite, though the author opted for a sulk in the van.

The afternoon brought no change in wind direction, but a shift in fortunes. Craig and John continued their dominance, with Craig ultimately taking a comfortable win. Dave’s consistency earned him fourth, followed by Paul and Peter. A revived author, fuelled by tomato soup, posted a strong 1‑1‑3‑2 run but could only climb to third overall after the morning’s setbacks.

The DF65 once again proved why it is regarded as one of the most technically demanding classes. Precision in setup, steering and trim is essential; a moment’s lapse or a poorly timed tack can bring the boat to a standstill. Yet this challenge is exactly what makes the class so rewarding.

At the prize‑giving, presented by the club’s Vice Commodore, Craig Richards thanked the race team, volunteers, kitchen staff, and WLSC members for hosting a memorable event.

Saturday winner – Craig Richards

DF95 — Sunday

Sunday arrived brighter and warmer, lifting spirits across the boat park. A fun run around the lake added an unusual soundtrack to the morning, with music drifting across the water and runners occasionally appearing along the banks.

With the wind swinging almost 90 degrees from Saturday’s direction, the course was reset with ease thanks to the lake’s layout. John Tushingham took over as PRO and, after a briefing that included a stern black‑flag warning, racing got underway.

Seeding races went to Craig Richards and Derek Priestley, and Craig—despite one trip to B fleet after collecting weed—continued to show the form of a global champion. The author, determined to improve on Saturday’s performance, matched Craig race for race through the morning, leaving the pair levelish at lunchtime.

The duel continued into the afternoon and ultimately came down to the final race—and the final leg. The author rounded the leeward mark in second but slipped to third at the finish. Believing Craig had secured the title, he walked away—only to later learn that Craig had dropped three places in the closing metres, triggering his second discard. With both sailors tied on points and tied on first‑place finishes, the author’s additional second place secured the overall win on countback.

Paul Robson, Buzz Coleman, Peter Baldwin, and Mark Rose completed the top six. The results sheet reflected the day’s tricky conditions, with nearly every sailor carrying at least one poor score.

At the prize‑giving, hosted by the WLSC Commodore, thanks were extended to all volunteers—especially Alan Tickle, who had been on site from Friday morning until the final pack‑down. The DF organisation was so impressed with the venue that WLSC has been selected to host the 2027 DF65 European Championship in May.

Sunday winner – Nigel Barrow

Looking Ahead

The fleet returns to Southport in a month for the first IOM Ranking Weekend of 2026, offering the British team a valuable opportunity to sharpen their skills ahead of the IOM World Championships at Datchet, 15–23 May. Spectators are encouraged to attend and witness some of the world’s best International One Metre sailors in action.