Rutland Sailing Club invites international teams to compete in its Inclusive Keelboat Championship on Rutland Water, England, from 19 to 22 November, with eight teams already entered.
The championship will use six supplied RS21 keelboats, with crews of four or five sailors racing in a league format over short windward-leeward courses. Coaching sessions will take place on Thursday, 19 November, before racing begins on Friday.
International Challenge – Eight teams have already entered the Rutland championship, which runs from 19–22 November, with organisers hoping to attract further competitors from across Europe and beyond
At least two members of each crew must identify as disabled and actively participate in sailing the boat, including helming. The event is intended to broaden competitive opportunities for sailors whose disabilities may not meet the minimum criteria for para classification.
World Champions Among Entrants
Among those entered are sailors from GBR Blind Sailing, following Britain's victory in the vision impairment RS21 event at the 2026 World Sailing Inclusion Championships in Portimão. The British crew of Lucy Hodges, Jamie Tylecote, Liam Cattermole and Steve Tylecote successfully defended that title earlier this month.
Event director David Wilkins, Ireland's 1980 Olympic Silver Medalist in the Flying Dutchman class, said organisers were preparing for three days of fast-turnaround racing and hoped to welcome teams from Sailability, Help for Heroes and Invictus groups in Britain and overseas.
"Our keelboat events are known for their friendly and supportive atmosphere both on the water and ashore," he said.
Fleet in Formation – RS21 keelboats spread across Rutland Water during close-fought fleet racing, with the class providing an accessible and competitive platform for sailors of different abilities
Rutland Sailing Club, on the southern shore of Rutland Water, has accessible facilities and racing in front of the clubhouse. The club has a long-standing involvement in Sailability and major championship organisation.
Entries Close 16 November
Entry costs £530 per team, including boat use, Thursday coaching support, an opening buffet and a Saturday evening meal. The deadline is midnight on Monday, 16 November.
Full details, including the Notice of Race and entry information, are available from the Rutland Sailing Club championship page.
The event follows a busy international season for inclusive sailing, including the record 222-sailor Inclusion Worlds in Portugal, and comes as the RS21 class holds its 2026 World Championship in Cannes.
