Pimm's Trophy Winner Decided and National Champion Crowned at Sonata Nationals
Published 19:12 on 2 Sep 2026
The Goodall Roofing 2026 Sonata National Championship marked a historic golden jubilee for the Hunter Sonata class, celebrating 50 years since David Thomas designed the beloved 23ft cruiser-racer. Hosted by the Royal Southern Yacht Club in Hamble, the Nationals were contested on the Solent, where the second-ever National Championship took place back in 1978. The regatta brought a 28-strong fleet to the Solent from all over the UK for four days of tight one-design racing. Testing the sailors across multiple conditions, from tricky tidal shifts and light air to a steady 18-knot breeze, the event proved to be a fitting showcase of tactical skill, high stakes, and close-quarters competition.
Day 1, Race 1 presented tricky light conditions paired with a building tide, making for a brutal opener where 21 of the 28-strong fleet failed to round the final windward mark. Joe Cross aboard Duette handled the currents best to take the opening win. Soon after, a light breeze filled in for Race 2, allowing for a short, fast-paced drag race that was won by title sponsor Luke Goodall aboard WASP.
Day 2 Faced with a moderate breeze and strong tide, the fleet tackled a demanding schedule consisting of three windward-leeward races followed by a long round-the-cans course. Joe Cross on Duette delivered a dominant performance by taking 3 out of the 4 races. Meanwhile, WASP managed to overturn an initial UFD disqualification using video evidence, successfully retaining their 2nd-place finish in Race 4 and following it up with a victory in Race 5.
Day 3, The sailors faced another four-race slate featuring three windward-leewards and a final round-the-cans course. A strong breeze in the opening race made sail selection tough, forcing teams to choose between the No. 1 and No. 2 jib before the wind settled into a consistent 1218 knots. Duette continued her charge by winning Races 7 and 8, WASP secured Race 9, and Graeme Galbraith aboard Proper Old School took Race 10. Andy Pinkham's Joey maintained impressive consistency throughout the day, locking in three top-4 finishes.
On the final day, the sonatas were met with little to no wind and ominous rain clouds scattered across the Solent. Prospects for a final race looked grim after an initial attempt was abandoned up the first beat. However, a very light breeze eventually filled in to allow a single, short tactical race, where Eddie Bridle aboard Spellbound navigated the patchy pressure to take a hard-earned victory before the fleet headed shoreward for the closing prize-giving.
Joe Cross commented "Team Duette are thrilled to have defended our Nationals Title for 2026. The Sonata Association Committee and Royal Southern Yacht Club with assistance from a raft of Sponsors put on a great event. The competition was tough throughout the fleet with the smallest of mistakes being punished. Combined with the usual Sonata fleet socials, it was a great way to celebrate 50 years of the Sonata. We are already looking forward to Colne 2027 and beyond."
Taking home the Leyland Daf trophy in second place Luke Goodall's Team 'Wasp' remarked, "Myself, the Wasp Team and everyone at Goodall Roofing are absolutely delighted with our overall result of second place! A huge congratulations to Team Duette on securing the win for another year. We had some great battles, not only with Duette but with the whole fleet. It was an incredibly strong fleet, and you had to be on top form in every race to secure a good result.
A massive thank you to the committee, all of the sponsors and Royal Southern Yacht Club for hosting such a fantastic anniversary event. It was a brilliant week, and we're already looking forward to the next one! Well done to everyone who took part!"
Competing at the Nationals as one of the Sonata Associations Under 25 Bursary program team Duet (one T) from Cowes took home the under 25 trophy with youngster Jasper Jenkinson and his crew who were all under 19 delivered some exceptional starts and results in the conditions.
The Sonata Association would like to thank our title sponsor Goodall Roofing for all their support, and our supporting partners: Pimm's, Selden Masts, Spinlock and All Spars. Thanks also to the Royal Southern YC Race Team and catering team for hosting the 50th Anniversary Nationals.
See a full gallery of images on the Sonata Website
2027 will see the Sonata Nationals return to the East Coast with Colne Yacht Club in Brightlingsea playing host to the 2027 event.
Related
- Goodall Roofing Sonata National Championship (16 - 19 August)
Last updated 19:28 on 2 September 2026
