Racing and trophies
Winners recorded since 1952
Cruisers race under the Byron handicap about every two weeks in summer and monthly in winter; dinghies race four series a year in front of the club. Every trophy and its course is below.
From the Meridian to the Ovens Buoy
Races vary each year, but typically include these. Courses start from the GYC line off the clubhouse.
- Mayor's Trophy5.6 miles
- GYC line to the most upstream mooring buoy off Deptford Creek and returnAwarded to the club by the Mayor of Greenwich.
- RNSA TrophyAbout 6 miles
- GYC line over a course set in front of the club over a number of lapsRNSA stands for Royal Naval Sailing Association. How the club came to have one is a mystery; the trophy books don't say.
- Ladies Challenge Cup8 miles
- GYC line to Erith Yacht Club line, vessels to have a lady helmDates back to the only female Commodore, Di Mannion, who challenged the chaps to a race with an all-female crew. Mick Mitchell re-established the all-woman rule: you'll need a female helm and crew (male passengers are permitted).
- Medway Cup30 miles
- GYC line to a line between Grain Edge and Medway No. 11 starboard hand buoys
- Sea Reach TrophyAbout 10 miles
- A race in Sea Reach, to include Sea Reach, West Leigh Middle and Medway No. 1 buoysFirst awarded in 1979.
- Winston Churchill Cup24 miles
- GYC line to Greenhithe spirit buoy and return
- Thurrock Trophy13 miles
- GYC line to Thurrock Yacht Club lineAwarded to encourage inter-club competition by the Commodore of Thurrock Yacht Club; GYC awarded a similar trophy to Thurrock.
- Westerley Challenge Cup25 miles
- GYC line to the most upstream mooring buoy at Gravesend (off Rosherville pier) and returnOriginally presented to commemorate the first recorded yacht race in England, 1 October 1661, between King Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York. The king lost the outbound leg but won the return, and a prize of £100.
- Bob Walker Cup12 miles
- GYC line to a mark in sight of Tower Bridge and return
- Meridian Trophy4.6 miles
- GYC line to round the driftwood barge off the Trafalgar Tavern and returnA race across the Greenwich Meridian and back.
- Lady's Cup24 miles
- GYC line to Greenhithe and return
- Ovens Buoy Trophy37 miles
- GYC line to round the Ovens Buoy and returnLong regarded as the Blue Riband of the club's racing calendar, the one everybody wants their name on.
- R.T. McMullen TrophyNot stated
- A single-handed open race from GYC rounding Jenningtree and back
Every fortnight in summer, monthly in winter
The club organises yacht races about every two weeks in the summer and about every month during the winter. Racing is open to all classes under the Byron handicap system. We race locally around cans, usually downriver to Erith, Thurrock and Gravesend, and even Sea Reach and around the Isle of Sheppey.
See the calendar and our Standard Sailing Instruction for cruiser races. Skippers must also comply with COLREGS, the PLA Directions for Navigation in the Port of London, and check any PLA Notices to Mariners in force. We follow the Racing Rules of Sailing.
The club uses the Byron handicap system. The system is based on measurements taken from thousands of yachts along with race data, which is used to calculate a boat's theoretical hull speed and a handicap which adjusts race finishes.
Four series and Her Majesty's Cup
Our racing is competitive but very friendly, and ends in our beautiful clubhouse at the bar having a chat over a drink or two and cheering the results.
Series
- Summer Series
- Winter Series
- Evening Series (summer weekday evenings)
- Autumn Series
Formats
- Round the cans in front of the club
- Longer distance races round the peninsula to Greenwich
- Match racing against other clubs
- Her Majesty's Cup: a 20 km race from GYC east to the QE2 Bridge that marks the start of the Winter Series
Annual dinner dance and prize giving
A landmark annual event that not only marks the end of our year but, more importantly, honours the club and its more active members. We give out some very important prizes to people who have contributed to the life and health of our club.
The trophy records list every winner from 1952 to 2026. The rest of the social year is on social and club nights.
Keep reading
Cruisers
Deep water and drying moorings, racing to Erith and beyond, and the East Coast Cruise.
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Dinghies
2000s and Lasers, four racing series and informal cruises in front of the club.
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Social and club nights
Tuesday is club night. The bar, the prizegiving and the rest of the year.
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