Tornado UK National Championship 2026 at the Grafham Water Catamaran Open

Tornado UK Nationals at the Grafham Water Catamaran Open 2026 © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Five Tornado Catamarans took part in the Tornado Nationals in very windy conditions on 17th and 18th October at Grafham Water Sailing Club.

This year's National Championships were held as part of the Grafham Cat Open, with sailors enjoying a large start line and close racing with the Nacra 20s and F18s as well as the five Tornados. And with a gusty force 5 wind and flat water, the Tornados were in their element!

Robert Govier (UK Class Chairman) & David Figgis missed the first start of the Saturday after taking longer than expected to get their boat ready after some significant repairs to their carbon mast and spinnaker pole following a dismasting a few weeks ago. The repaired kit was delivered just in time to the event thanks to fast work by Pete from Zest Boatworks, but as is often the case, knitting the boat together after a breakage took longer than they'd budgeted for! Their delay gave the other boats an extra race to get themselves warmed up, or perhaps to wear them out a little early, with Jason Clarke & Andrew Dowley taking their first of two wins in the class results of the weekend, but the weather also proved too much for Adrian Howe & David Foster who were forced to return to shore for rapid repairs after an early breakage.

All five boats made the start of the second race, which turned out to be one of the closest between the top three boats, each boat holding the lead at some point over the race and rounding each mark within a few boat lengths of each other, which took even more skill than usual at the top mark where a nasty wind funnel threatened capsize and pitchpole at most roundings. In a close-run downwind leg to the line, Paul & Robert Palmer took the lead and the race win. This race however proved too much once again for Adrian & David, and Barry Arnison & Toby Simmerling who both retired from the day's racing, Barry & Toby with a broken spinnaker pole after a nasty pitchpole (one of quite a few around the boat park across the fleets at the end of the day's racing!).

Tornado UK Nationals at the Grafham Water Catamaran Open 2026 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

The final race of the day was another tight competition, but Robert G & David held onto the lead after a good start, finishing the day with their first race win. A happy but exhausted fleet met in the bar after a few minor repairs and tweaks to their boats for a well-earned and delicious meal. This was followed by the UK class AGM, where it was decided to hold next year's Tornado UK National Championships at Whitstable Yacht Club as part of their 125th Anniversary Celebrations on 18th to 22nd August.

Sunday brought very similar weather, but without the forecast rain, meaning the start got away on time for another day of fast and windy racing, (reportedly the Committee Boat recorded 24+ knots of wind at some points). Barry stayed on shore following his breakage, but leant his crew, Toby, to Adrian, who's Saturday crew was feeling rather too battered to race, so four Tornado's hit the start line, along with another fifteen or so other catamarans across the handicap classes.

First race went to Robert G & David, who also took the first place overall in the handicap results for that race, beating off the F18 and Nacra 20 competition in what felt like the windiest race of the weekend, showing that the Tornado platform is second to none when the conditions get challenging!

Tornado UK Nationals at the Grafham Water Catamaran Open 2026 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

The second race was a very close battle between Paul & Robert P and Jason & Andrew, with a high speed downwind drag race to the finishing line. The slight point up required to cross the finishing line made for a spectacular photo finish between the boats, particularly as Jason & Andrew crossed the line just ahead of the other boat in mid-pitchpole! Luckily, they avoided a capsize, but did put a hole in their spinnaker, which may or may not have held them back in the last race!

The final race of the Sunday was thankfully short as sailors and support crew were all feeling the effects of a hard weekend of racing, but Paul & Robert P had obviously saved a bit for last to lead the race and get a decisive first place, with Jason & Andrew in second, Robert G & David in third, and Adrian and Toby in forth, echoing their overall rankings.

Tornado UK Nationals at the Grafham Water Catamaran Open 2026 - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Thankfully the predicted rain held off until the boats were on their trailers and being pulled out of the Grafham Water Sailing Club car park, putting a perfect end to a great weekend. Thanks to the team at Grafham for putting on an excellent event, on and off the water!

Overall Results: