Howie Hamlin and Andy Zinn of the USA didn’t need the final race to stake their claim to the 505 Class 2026 Pre-World Regatta and UK National Championship at Hayling Island SC.
Two third places on the second day were enough, together with their stunning day 1 score – 1, 1, 2 – to close-out the event with a ten point lead after five races.
Roger Gilbert and Ian Mitchell of the host club took the final race win to place second and first British pair with 20 pts. In third were Harvey Hillary and Archie Massey, who picked-up a win in race 4, finishing with 29 pts.
Other race winners were Malcolm Higgins and Nicholas Johnston of Australia in race 3, finishing 6th overall with 37 pts, and Paul Brotherton and James Fawcett in race 5.
The weather has been classic Hayling champagne sailing over these last two days and looks set to continue for the 2026 World Championship which opens on Monday 6 thro 11 July.
Hamlin and Zinn, no strangers to these waters, are the obvious in form pair, but it will be no walk-over with the depth of 505 talent that is gathered here.
505 UK National Championship 2026
Final Leaders after 6 races, 1 discard (82 entries)
1st USA Howard Hamlin / Andy Zinn – – 10 pts
2nd GBR Roger Gilbert / Ian Mitchell – – 20 pts
3rd GBR Harvey Hillary / Archie Massey – – 29 pts
4th GBR Ian Pinnell / Robert Woelfel – – 35 pts
5th USA Mike Holt / Carl Smit – – 36 pts
6th AUS Malcolm Higgins / Nicholas Johnston – – 37 pts
7th GBR Robert Gullan / Paul Childs – – 41 pts
8th AUS Michael Quirk / Tim Needham – – 41 pts
9th USA AJ Conrads / Jon Bell – – 51 pts
10th GER Jan-Philipp Hofmann / Felix Brockerhoff – – 60 pts
11th GBR Ben McGrane / James Ross – – 60 pts
12th GBR Andy Smith / Jonny Mildred – – 65 pts
13th GBR Michael Sims / Carl Gibbon – – 67 pts
14th GER Tim Böger / Finn Böger – – 76 pts
15th GBR Andy Wilde / Harry Briddon – – 82 pts