Hear from our fleet captain, Shaun Frohlich
Hear from our fleet captain, Shaun Frohlich, on all of the latest news and captain's updates in the Cowes Etchells Fleet. Lots of promising and exciting news for 2026 and beyond:
"Hello Etchells Sailors, Owners and Interested Others:
I am delighted to provide an update from The UK Cowes Fleet in my first Captain’s newsletter of 2026. It covers details of the Nov-25 AGM; the youth academy; the racing programme; the San Diego Worlds; and longer-term plans for the fleet. The class is in rudely great form internationally which benefits the local Etchells sailors be they purely focused on racing in the UK or further afield. Our objectives are to grow and strengthen the UK class by attracting new owners and sailors, modernising fleet management, and fostering both elite and youth participation. We are lucky to have a driven and energetic committee backed and supported by many owners. Thank you for your part in this and in reading this letter to get up to date with our latest news.
The AGM & Class Party were well attended. The 2026 committee was elected, and the updated constitution was formally adopted which provides me, and fellow committee members a clear mandate to make decisions by in the year ahead. Key discussion points included the adoption of Vakaros instruments and race management system and the enforcement of the 285kg crew weight limit. There is growing enthusiasm to adopt Vakaros. It is set to become a standard for international and larger fleets and will be expected for the 2028 Cowes Worlds. Currently we have three options, allow individual use, mandate use for all entrants using the Vakaros race management system at key events or delay adoption for now. The consensus was starkly against waiting to adopt in some form as sailors want to practice and be prepared for events where it will be used. Moreover, the Cork European is attracting international competitors who will expect the event to be run with Vakaros, so plans are currently being finalised on that front. Whatever the case it is likely we will introduce some adoption in the current year. Separately concerns were raised about adherence to the 285kg weight limit. On-water coaches have observed certain boats appearing to have an upwind advantage in windy conditions. While there is no desire to introduce weigh-ins at unsanctioned events the class must self-regulate. We did not reach a conclusion on how to practically and openly support adherence to weight compliance so we urge competitors to be diligent and will provide class scales at event briefings as a step to avoid any more formal approach to assist teams comply. After the AGM discussions an excellent party ensued with visitors from all corners of UK and Ireland. Something we will repeat at the end of this season.
The 2026 Youth Academy started on the last weekend of January with 4 new and exciting teams accompanied by a 5th team from The Greig City Academy. All Etchells sailors are welcome to participate, either by entering their own boat, chartering a boat from SFB (see Ted) and the dates listed in the class schedule attached. Every year some owners get a jump start for the new season by participating in the racing and benefiting from the high-level coaching during individual weekends in the series. The Youth Academy continues to be a flagship component to the Cowes fleet, the envy of other fleets locally and internationally so we owe a debt of gratitude to the volunteers and coaches who make it happen. Working above and beyond is Head Coach, David Bedford who we must especially thank for his tireless efforts, enthusiasm and contribution.
Cowes Racing Programme for the ’26 season maintains the two-series structure of National and International events. We reduced the volume of events to concentrate attendance, and we have maintained the policy on entry pricing trialled last year. The objective is to provide high quality racing with excellent race management and to be attractive to all categories of entrant. This means subsidised youth entry costs, par cost for local teams and a contributor rate for teams who either employ professionals or compete internationally. We have been able to control costs of race management in the CNS series (and reduce entry fees accordingly) by teaming up with other classes within CCCA operations.
Internationally the BBYC Winter Series is part-way complete with British Sailors making a good showing and two on the podium in the Florida State Championships in the shape of Andy Lawson’s No Dramas and Andy Beadsworth in AMac. Several British teams are heading to San Diego for the worlds, May 7- 15th including some of your youth sailors. The event organisers offered our fleet an entry complete with a loaner boat and full accommodation back in November ‘25. David Maclean immediately offered a bursary to support the entry. We appointed a panel of Matt Howard, David Bedford and Stephen Park CBE to review last season’s results and select a team to represent us. The panel concluded that two teams were worthy of selection and the hosts munificently offered to double their initial offer. I am therefore delighted to thank the selectors, the event organisers, DmC and congratulate British youth skippers, Corneille LePrince, and Ted Blowers on their selection.
Cork Europeans: Taking place during Cork Week, the event has already attracted significant interest, with 8-10 boats expected from Cowes.
Other news in brief: an Etchells will be proudly on display at the RYA Dinghy Show, Feb 21-22nd Farnborough. This is great news for the class as it will attract much interest, assist with our fleet building ambitions and help promote the 2027 Youth Academy (dates now set). Exhibiting at the show the consequence of tireless efforts from a small group of volunteers led by Rob Goddard and Jon Holt. If you visit the exhibition, please make sure you show appreciation for the folks staffing the stand and join in to give them a well-deserved break. The class website is being reconstructed, and a new entry system is being built by Anna Milner. These vital assets will be ready for the start of the season and will save us from the pain of wrestling with Yacht Scoring. This investment a new system will reduce admin and operating costs whilst making it less taxing to operate. The Cork Europeans 6th to 10th July, is shaping up very nicely. Six teams have already entered, and a further 6 teams verbally committed. The entry fee of €420 includes race entry, entertainment, berthage, and launch/recovery. If anyone needs help or advice on logistics or accommodation for Cork please contact me or Andrew Crosbie+353-8713- 77746 and we will do our best to assist.
Beyond this season... dates have already been set for the next iteration of the youth academy. We are working to finalise the ‘27 Garda Europeans and as a reminder for the all-important year beyond, the ’28 Cowes Worlds Pre-Worlds event will be 5th – 9th June, scrutineering 9th – 12th June, practice race 12th June and the Worlds, 13th – 17th June. Working with the RYS for the Worlds ’28, we have set out 3 events with them in ’26 and in ’27 to develop the relationship for significant events, including the Nationals ‘26 and an Open event in ’27 at the same time of year (June) as the Worlds ’28 to encourage international competitors to come over, charter boats and test the expected conditions.
This newsletter barely scratches the surface of all that is going on and being planned. Please contact me directly with any questions, views or wishes for subsequent editions. Our fleet has a bright future, and I look forward to providing you more news a couple of months from now.
Sail fast and be well.”
