UK Nationals – Final

Howtown, UK, August 17, 2025. No races today. Final result after 5 races (1 discard):

1. Yohei Koso & Katia Royer, 7
2. Joseph Warwicker & Andy Service, 9
3. Tim Tavinor & Kay Tavinor, 15
4. Peter Wolstenholme & William Maguire, 19
5. Matthew Wolstenholme & Eiichi Higuchi, 21

The class motto – Serious Sailing, Serious Fun…. Ullswater Yacht Club did not disappoint – it is a glorious setting, surrounded by stunning mountainous scenery, friendly and well organised plus we were blessed with sunshine and wind (but not much).

Report by Kay Tavinor (source: Sail-World)

The Snipe designed in 1931, has a massive international following and a huge variety of sailors. It is an easy boat to sail but is difficult to sail well due to its technicality and fierce competition.

Friday morning, the fleet were met with a glassy looking lake but Sean – the local race officer was confident there would be racing. After a postponement the wind filled in, so we hit the water for some fun and interesting races. Large mountains around made sure the light wind was shifty, and puffy with plenty of opportunity for gains and losses throughout the day.

Two windward/leeward races were completed, and a third race was started but abandoned as the wind became more unstable late in the afternoon.

It was Joe Warwicker and Andy Service who got to grips with the conditions and started the series with a dominant two first places, Yohei Koso and Katia Royer followed closely behind with two second places. The tricky conditions and individual recall on the second race start meant some possible contenders had already added some high points to the score sheet which they were hoping they would be able to discard.

On Friday evening the Serious Fun, after the Commodores BBQ, mayhem of a class games night ensued, won (by fair means or foul) by the All-Star team with a special award to Chris Surridge for his enthusiasm and ingenuity!

Three races on Saturday were again held in “snakes and ladders” conditions. There were plenty of opportunities to be had, with patches of wind funnelling down the lake.

During Race 3 Tim and Kay Tavinor built a good lead but were chased hard by Yohei and Katia who finally finished within a few boat lengths. Guy Marks and Sam Boniface finished third.

Race 4 saw Joe and Andy leading again with the Wolstenholmes and Neil Martin chasing hard. Concentration was vital with small dark patches of wind visible across the course but not always easy to get to!

Race 5, at the end of a long and mentally challenging day, proved things are “never over until the fat lady sings.” The leading bunch lost count of the number of laps (four) they had sailed and started heading back upwind instead of going to the finish, this reshuffled the leaders with Yohei and Katia taking first place. Lloyd Roberts and Emma Preen second, and Matthew Wolstenholme and Eichi Higuchi 3rd.

The Race Officer assured us they had recorded a 20.6 knot gust during the racing, but I think most of the sailors blinked and missed it.

A splendid dinner and celebration of the long-standing Snipe Class chairman Brian Gregory’s birthday filled Sunday evening. Our event sponsors P&B and Allen Brothers received plenty of mentions by the master of ceremonies and received great cheers of support from the participants.

Sunday morning – mirror conditions on Ullswater again. After a postponement, a start was attempted but abandoned as the wind failed to sufficiently stabilise, so we all headed ashore.

Despite the challenging and tricky conditions everyone enjoyed the venue and racing. With five races completed a discard kicked in and Yohei and Katia who sailed remarkably consistently took the UK Snipe National Championship 2025.

Overall Results:

1st Master helm – Tim Tavinor
1st Lady – Freya Antonelli and Nayth Twiggs
1st Juniors – James Alexander and Finn Waterhouse
Friendship trophy – Mark and Anna Taylor (Orkney fleet)

Photos: Amy Barrett

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Unfortunately we had no races sailed today on Day 3 of the 2025 UK Snipe Nationals. The fleet attempted a start however the race was abandoned due to lack of breeze and an inconsistent wind direction.

After a further 30 minute wait the Race Committee sent the fleet home to pack up for the journey home.

Congratulations to Yohei Kosu & Katia Royer who are the 2025 UK Snipe National Champions.

Joe Warwicker & Andy Service – 2nd Overall

Tim Tavinor & Kay Tavinor – 3rd Overall & 1st Master Helm

Freya Antonelli & Nayth Twiggs – 1st Female Helm

Mark Taylor & Anna Taylor – 1st Orkney Boat 

James Alexander & Finn Waterhouse – 1st Junior Helm and Crew

Thank you to Allen Brothers and P&B for their sponsorship of the event. Thank you to Ullwater Yacht Club and the galley for the fantastic catering and a massive thank you to the organising committee for putting on a great event.

The next event on the UK Snipe calendar is Budworth on 20-21 September.

(Source: Snipe Class UK)