The Millennium Bowl, an annual sailing contest steeped in history, once again brought together three of Britain and Ireland’s most distinguished Yacht Club’s the Royal St. George Yacht Club, the Royal Thames Yacht Club, and the Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club. Over the years, this friendly yet fiercely competitive event has become a highlight on the sailing calendar, celebrating camaraderie, skill, and tradition among the three clubs.
Typically raced in a 3-vs-3 team racing format featuring a wide range of ages and experience, this year’s event took an unexpected turn. With strong 30-knot winds sweeping across Dublin Bay, the challenging conditions forced a change from the usual team racing setup. Event organiser and long-time Millennium Bowl competitor Ben Cooke confirmed that the regatta would instead be run as an umpired fleet race using the RStGYC’s 6 J/80s. Each club would race two teams per race with no discard available.
Racing began on Saturday in a fresh westerly breeze, with Dún Laoghaire Harbour providing a stunning backdrop. Two races were completed before deteriorating weather forced the race committee to abandon further competition for the day, as maintaining position on station became impossible.
Despite the early finish, spirits among the sailors remained high. The much-loved post-dinner games continued the long-standing tradition of good humour and inter-club bonding. Laughter echoed through the clubhouse as teams competed in gutter boat racing and the ever-entertaining space hopper races, proving that competition off the water can be just as lively as that on it.
Sunday dawned with the welcome gift of an extra hour in bed — though for Millennium Bowl sailors, it meant an extra hour of racing. Lighter winds, albeit 20knots, made for fairer sailing conditions, and racing resumed promptly. The Royal St. George team took the first bullet of the day, with the Royal Thames hot on their heels, showing that the competition was far from over. A special mention must go to Barry O Neill and his team on board the committee boat.
Under the adjusted one-lap windward-leeward format and with no discard, the old saying proved true: “Firsts don’t win regattas, consistency does.” Both the Royal Clyde and Royal Thames teams secured race wins, but with every crew in the six-boat fleet needing to perform, it was the steady teamwork and smooth boat handling of the Royal St. George that ultimately secured the top spot on the leaderboard.
Final Results:
🥇 Royal St. George Yacht Club (RSGYC)
🥈 Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC)
🥉 Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club (RNCYC)
The Millennium Bowl once again showcased not only the high standard of sailing across these historic clubs but also the lasting friendships and traditions that continue to define this unique event.
