The Grassholme Cup weekend is nearly here!

Published 22:58 on 18 Aug 2025

I hope you're looking forward to what is shaping up to being a fabulous weekend of sailing and socialising, including the Grassholme Cup races, our AGM and summer BBQ (please remember to book tickets for the BBQ!). You don't need to be an experienced racer to take part and we encourage all to give it a go. For those new to dinghy racing, we intend to award a new beginner's prize alongside our regular trophies. Or, if you'd rather just sail or paddle without the pressure, the water is open on both days with safety cover whilst racing is taking place. Read on for our planned timetable for the weekend and more about what to expect.

Schedule for the weekend

We'll try to keep the following timings as far as is possible, but may amend the schedule if needed due to weather conditions. Listen out for further announcements on the day.

Saturday 23 August

• 1^st Race: 11:15
• 2^nd Race: 14:00
• 3^rd Race - back to back after 2^nd Race

Sunday 24 August:

• 4^th Race 11:15
• AGM - at lunchtime (to start no earlier than 12:00)
• 5^th Race 14:00
• BBQ and prizegiving: 15:30

How will the racing work?

For those new to racing, please read our Start Racing Guide to give you an idea about what to expect. We plan to sail five races over the weekend on a handicap basis, using the 2025 Portsmouth Yardstick numbers as published on the club website and our usual sailing instructions. For discards:

• the lowest two results will be discarded if all five races are sailed;
• the lowest result will be discarded if three or four races are sailed; and
• all results will count if two or fewer races are sailed.

We have the following prizes to compete for:

• Overall winner
• 1^st junior (under 16)
• 1^st female helm
• 1^st senior (over 65)
• 1^st beginner
• Penultimate prize (for the last-but-one boat)

If you have won one (or more!) of these and still have the trophy, please remember to polish it and bring it back to the club by Saturday 23 August so it is ready for the prizegiving.

What happens if there's too much (or too little) wind?

This can happen - last year we retreated to the clubhouse for lunch and some live music after it got too wild to race safely! However, we're usually able to sail at least for some of the weekend. In the event that conditions are unsuitable for racing on both days, we will use the reserve day 31 Aug 2025, replacing the fourth day of the Occasional Series. In this case, we'll announce results and award prizes at the end of racing on the reserve day, but the AGM and BBQ will go ahead on the 24^th August. If racing is abandoned on day 2, we will bring forward the BBQ to immediately after the AGM. If anyone is unable to make the BBQ due to the changed time, we will refund tickets.

We will communicate these and other significant changes to the timetable, if needed, via the club WhatsApp account and our website.

Can I win all the prizes?

No!

We decided to change how this works for 2025. If you're in first place in more than one of the main prize categories, you are only eligible to win the widest category. This means that if the overall winner is over 65, female, or under 16, then they win the overall Grassholme Cup, but not also the other relevant category trophies. However, you may, if you are lucky (or unlucky...) be eligible for additional mystery prizes to be awarded over the course of the weekend, at the discretion of the race team!

Can I borrow a club boat for racing or social sailing?

Yes, members can borrow a boat on either day. However, please let us know in advance if possible so as not to be disappointed on the day.

Can I change my crew, boat or rig during the weekend?

Yes, subject to the following rules:

• A change in helm counts as a new entry
• Changes in crew for those sailing double-handers are permitted
• For a change in rig or boat you can choose to either a) make a new entry or b) choose to score all results using the least favourable (i.e., lowest PY) handicap applicable. Please let the Race Officer or duty OOD know.

If you're interested in racing, but need a crew (or helm!) to participate, or have any other questions please contact us on the club WhatsApp group and we'll do our best to help.

Related

• Grassholme Cup BBQ (24 August, 15:30 - 17:30)
• Grassholme Cup 2025 - Day 1 (23 August)
• Grassholme Cup 2025 - Day 2 (24 August)