Now and again, I hear the criticism that the growth in the double handed format is providing less opportunities for youngsters to enter or progress in offshore sailing. As my UK experience is the exact opposite of this, I thought I would share what was working with the hope that it can inspire other countries to copy one of the UK initiatives.
When we set up the UK Double Handed Offshore Series in 2021, we had as one of our early goals to create pathways for young adults, typically aged in their early twenties, transitioning from the dinghy classes to bigger boat racing. At a very simple level just announcing the intention and creating a single point of contact for skippers and youngsters already got the ball rolling. Whilst I knew there was opportunities, I surprised myself just how many double handed skippers are looking for co-skippers to allow them to add more offshore races to their programmes or cover the inevitable gaps when co-skippers have other commitments. We have a growth in the number of boats with new skippers entering the scene in new boats all needing partners.
Experience has not really been a barrier, we have a range of offshore race lengths and many short-handed sailors are, in a worst-case scenario, comfortable in sailing single handed allowing youngsters to get aboard, bring the skills they have and learn the rest as they train and race. The partnership of older boat owners and younger co-skippers is often a winning mix of skills with each bringing different skills to the boat.
Our crew match initiative gained momentum and every month more matches are made. We considered online; however, we elected to keep the personal touch. Skippers are looking for different skills and experience in their co-skippers to create a diverse partnership and being actively involved allows better matching. In 2025, 32% of the boats in UK Double Handed Offshore series had sailors who were under 25 years old for at least one race. My favourite feedback was from one who told me they had learnt more in three months of double handed sailing than three years of sailing fully crewed. They love the chance to try out all the roles onboard particularly the more exclusive ones like helm, nav and tactics.
One of the first matches we made was Cal Finlayson when he partnered up with Nick Martin (Diablo) for the 2021 season. Cal, together with co-skipper Maggie Adamson, went on to win the Offshore Double Handed World Championship title in 2024 squeezing past two very well sailed French boats. Both sailors have been regulars in the UK Double Handed Series sailing against each other for the past three years on different Sunfast 3600. Unbelievably the 2024 Worlds was only their fourth race together as a pair.
In March’23 the UK DH series crew matched Conor Corson (27) with Elin Jones (20) after the owner was unable to sail the Azores and Back race due to other commitments. Racing on Asgard, a Sunfast 3300, Conor and Elin became the youngest winners ever in the race winning Leg one IRC Class 2 from Falmouth to Ponta Delgado and 2nd in IRC Overall.
Another Initiative which has developed double handed offshore talent is ‘Young Tigris’ led by Gavin Howe. Gavin has set up his classic Chanel 32 Wavetrain and invites a different youth mixed pairing to take part in each offshore race, combined with practical and theory training to prepare them. For many it’s their first race offshore. Amy Hinsliff-Smith who recently raced RORC Myth of Malham sums up the experience ‘As my first offshore race, going double handed with Charlie was incredibly daunting but we made sure we were as prepared as possible and used the training day to our full advantage. It was an unreal experience to race with so many highly skilled teams in a variety of weather conditions and has really made me excited to race more offshore’. Charlie Muldoon adds ‘This race was truly an unforgettable experience, it provided the perfect platform for learning double handed manoeuvres, and attempting to improve my offshore tactical decision making. I owe immense gratitude to Gavin for running this incredible program, opening up the world of double-handed offshore racing for young sailors like us; all aboard the beautiful classic Wavetrain’.
A graduate from the Young Tigris programme is Josh Dawson. In 2024, together with Ollie Hill they won the double handed class in the RORC Cowes – St Malo race on Zephyr (Sunfast 3300) and came second on overall IRC. This race had brutal conditions with 40kt gusts against spring tides at Casquets kicking up massive seas. They battled through the waves, hoisting the spinnaker at Casquets, and flew past a lot of seasoned competitors. Zephyr had been kindly lent to them by the owner, Simon Toms, and this is another trend we see increasing year on year in the UK. In the past 2 years ten different boats have been loaned to two youngsters, some for the whole season, when the owner was otherwise busy.
Another success in the same RORC St Malo race were mixed pairing Willow Bland and Zeb Fellows who came third in the double handed class. They were sailing on Rock Lobster (Sunfast 3300) kindly loaned by the owner. Zeb at the tender age of 18 is more often seen in a winning combination with his father on Orbit their Sunfast 3300 where they regularly win RORC races. This year Zeb and Willow have just come second in the 2025 Offshore Double Handed World Championships.
The Royal Ocean Racing Club are also contributing to double handed opportunities through their Griffin project partnering with Marina Militare Nastro Rosa in Italy. The scheme takes young sailors from all over the world and provides them a free Figaro 3 to take part in the various doublehanded events eg: The Mixed European Championship and tours around Italy.
Watch out, these youngsters are not just taking part in offshore races but winning them as well!
Words by: Kate Cope, Director UK Doublehanded Offshore Series
