A Dream Run Across the Channel for the Nautical Cloud Cherbourg Race
A bumper fleet of 71 boats took to the start line for the Nautical Cloud Cherbourg Race, organised by JOG and RORC, producing an exceptionally close and competitive dash across the Channel in what many competitors described as dream conditions.
Starting from Cowes at 18:00 UK time, the forecast models suggested a marginal upwind opening through the western Solent. Crews faced a couple of short tacks on the way towards the Needles before rounding the Needles Fairway Buoy, where the character of the race changed completely.
From there, it was effectively a straight-line drag race to Cherbourg. Code Zeros and reaching sails went up across the fleet as crews settled in for a rapid crossing of the Channel.
With the routing offering few opportunities for major tactical splits, there was nowhere to hide. Rather than spreading across the Channel in search of different pressure or angles, the 71-boat fleet remained remarkably compressed, creating one huge pack racing south towards France.
That put the emphasis firmly on boat speed and sail trim. Every fraction of a knot mattered as trimmers worked relentlessly to squeeze the maximum performance from their boats. With so many competitors locked together, small gains accumulated quickly and positions remained up for grabs throughout the crossing.
The first boats reached Cherbourg at approximately 01:45 French time, less than seven hours after the start in Cowes, and by 06:00 French time the entire fleet was safely in.
Celebrations in Cherbourg
Once the racing was finished, attention turned to one of the great JOG traditions, the post-race social.
Cherbourg delivered sunshine for competitors as crews from JOG and RORC gathered on the balcony to swap stories from the crossing. With both clubs generously putting some celebratory money behind the bar, it was a suitably convivial end to a fast night’s racing and a great demonstration of the camaraderie between JOG and RORC.
There was also plenty to celebrate for the JOG prize winners.
Generation JOG, sponsored by Henri-Lloyd, was won by Lucy Gates from Scream 2, while RORC Griffin took victory in the Women’s Sailing Series.
In Class 3, Sailfish successfully repeated their victory from the 2025 edition of the Cowes–Cherbourg Race. Having arrived as the holders of the Class 3 trophy, the crew found themselves being handed their own silverware straight back.
Class 2 honours went to Zanzibar, raced double-handed, by Inka Luhrs and Richard Bretherton.
The outstanding performance of the race came from Rockit, which completed an impressive clean sweep by winning Class 1, the Double-Handed division and IRC Overall.
Thanks to our supporters
JOG extends its thanks to Nautical Cloud for sponsoring the Race. Our thanks also go to Yacht Club de Cherbourg for once again welcoming the fleet to France and helping make the race such an enjoyable occasion.
Most importantly, thank you to all competing boats and their crews. A fleet of that size made for a spectacular start, an exceptionally close race across the Channel and a fantastic atmosphere ashore.
Fast racing, tight competition, dream conditions and a sunny Cherbourg welcome. The Nautical Cloud Cherbourg Race once again showed exactly why this Channel crossing remains such a popular fixture in the offshore racing calendar.
What’s next?
With the Offshore Series now complete, attention turns to the final two coastal race weekends of the 2026 season. The Stoneways Poole Race Weekend takes place on 12–13 September, followed by the final racing weekend of the season in Lymington on 26–27 September. Entries remain open here.
The season will conclude with the JOG Annual Awards Evening on 31 October at the Harbour Hotel Southampton, celebrating the achievements of competitors across the 2026 season. Find out more here.
Planning next season? Check out the 2027 JOG racing programme here: myjog.jog.org.uk/programme.
Photo credit Paul Wyeth
