From July 10–13, the historic waters of Plymouth Sound once again came alive as the Royal Western Yacht Club hosted the much-anticipated Plymouth Race Week 2025. Billed as The Yachtsman's Regatta, the event combined top-tier sailing with grassroots camaraderie, showcasing why Plymouth is a favorite.

This year’s Race Week featured racing across three championship classes, run on separate courses both inside and outside the Plymouth Breakwater:

• IRC Southwest Championships – With tightly contested racing and high-performance boats, this fleet drew regional and national contenders.
  
  
• YTC Southwest Championships – A more accessible yet competitive format that brought together club racers from across the South West.
  
  
• J/24 Nationals – With the J/24 Worlds set for September in Plymouth, this event served as a high-stakes warm-up for many international teams.
  
  

Each class enjoyed tailored race management, with the IRC fleet starting from committee boats and the YTC classes launching from the Breakwater line near Mount Batten. Multiple races were held each day, pushing crews through tactical challenges in both coastal and flat-water conditions.

Thanks to the natural shelter of Plymouth Sound, races were largely unaffected by swell or excessive chop. Wind conditions ranged from 10 to 15 knots on most days, perfect for both tight tactical racing and safe maneuvering.

Supporters were treated to fantastic views, as courses hugged the Breakwater and Drake’s Island, making the event as enjoyable from land as it was from the water.

Plymouth Race Week isn't just about what happens on the water. The week opened with the Plymouth Gin Race, a relaxed round-the-cans fun race that saw every participant gifted a bottle of local gin—setting the tone for a sociable regatta.

Evenings were lively at the Royal Western Yacht Club’s Queen Anne’s Battery base. Highlights included:

• Thursday Crew BBQ & Live Music
  
  
• Saturday Regatta Party
  
  
• Sunday Roast & Prizegiving, with awards handed out by RWYC Commodore Chris Arscott

Whether in foulies or flip-flops, crews came together to celebrate the shared passion that defines this event.

photos Bronny Daniels