Lakes Mortgages 2000 Nationals at Brightlingsea - runners and riders preview.
Published 17:59 on 7 Aug 2026
By Pete Vincent
Wow, it is going to be really hard hard to predict who is going to win the rapidly approaching Lakes Mortgages 2000 Nationals at Brightlingsea starting on Sunday 16 August with 10 races over 5 days.
Entries have already reached 46 boats and heading for a 50 boat fleet. It is going to be a hot front of the fleet with a wide open Championship and some intriguing new teams.
More power for the National Champion
Not least of which is defending champion, 9 year old Benjamin Pascoe, who has a new crew because dad Sam has jumped ship more on this later. Into the front of the boat steps former Topper National Champion and top RS200/Cherub helm, Andy Peters, who will bring vast fleet experience and - how do I put this tactfully - a little more pork power. It is going to be fascinating to see their performance.
We want our title back
2nd last year, and very keen to go one better this year, are twice former National Champions Simon and Katie Horsfield; Katie has also won the 2000 Nationals previously crewing with her father. 2nd at the Melges 15 Europeans in Garda in June they appear to be hitting form at the right time.
Who is going to helm?
2nd in both 2020 and 2021, 3rd at 2023 and 2025; Paul Cullen really wants to stop being the bridesmaid and win that elusive overall victory. This year he has teamed up with top sailor Georgia Booth and they are in hot form. Paul won the RS500 Europeans at the RS Games in Travemunder, with Fresh crewing, and Georgia only a couple of weeks ago won the Fireball UK Nationals at the Royal Torbay. Intriguingly, thrashing Paul in the process which led to a rumour; OK started by me, that Georgia is going to helm at Brightlingsea and Paul crew. You know it makes sense!
The old dark horses
Returning after a 2 years absence from the 2000 Nationals, 6 times 2000 National champion Rob Burridge makes a welcome return crewed this year by wife Gemma. They could be one to watch.
Too Ugly?
Pete Vincent/Sophie Bentley are in the mix after 4 top 6 overall finishes in the last 4 Nationals and winners of the West Country Boat Repairs Millennium Series National circuit in 2023 and 2025. Can the class act Sophie somehow finally get the ancient Ugly One to the front?
The Haribo transfer
The young dark horse could be Bens younger brother, 6 year old Tristan Pascoe, who has persuaded dad Sam to jump ship. Reportedly, a greater share of the on-board Haribo sealed the transfer, though the true transfer fee appears to be subject to an NDA. The pair ripped it up at Castle Cove in May winning overall in a fleet that featured 5 of the top 6 from last years Nationals.
The Northern challenge
The red hot in-form team on the Lakes Mortgages Latitude Series are West Riding's finest, Oliver and Elliott Thompson. Will this be the year they really break into the top ten and challenge for one of the top spots?
With prize categories for silver division, bronze division, grandmaster, ton up, best newcomer, youth helm there will be close racing right through the fleet.
Perhaps the most keenly contested category of the lot will be the Family/Junior prize. With a large number of the boats in the fleet or nearly 50, featuring under 16 year old sailors sailing with another family member, the family/junior category is wide open. Showing yet again how true the classes strap line is...Fast Family Fun.
Last updated 17:59 on 7 August 2026
