An entirely gay-skippered and crewed yacht has won its class in the Junior Offshore Group (JOG) series races that took place between April and September in the English Channel.

Night Owl, a Prima 38, is owned and skippered by Ed Hall, who recruited his crew from among fellow members of the Sailing and Cruising Association (S&CA), the UK's gay and lesbian sailing club.

Skipper Ed Hall said,

"We are all really pleased to have done so well in our first season in the JOG races. It's been a lot of hectic work, particularly the race where we sprung a leak en route, but in the end our combination of teamwork and recognising individuals' particular strengths has paid off. The other crews and organisers have been very welcoming and we are looking forward to sailing with JOG again next year."

And S&CA Commodore Reggie Blennerhassett added,

"We’re really proud of Night Owl’s achievement. Competitive sailing is becoming more of a feature of our club now that we have absorbed the former Gay UK Sailing Team, and Night Owl's victory will inspire more of us to start racing, especially with the Gay Games coming up in Cologne next year."

Racing against similarly-sized boats, the 38-foot boat and her usual complement of 10 crew came first in class overall after the season's 15 offshore races, seeing her win the Bathsheba Trophy. Night Owl also won trophies for coming first in class in races to St Malo and St Peter Port.

The Sailing and Cruising Association (www.gaysailing.org.uk) has nearly 400 members involved variously in sailing and power boating, and is affiliated to leisure boating's governing body, the Royal Yachting Association.  As well as rallies and cruises, the club has monthly social meetings in London and Ipswich.

Media enquiries re. Night Owl: Ed Hall (via Susie Birkett) 01494 878078

Media enquiries re. Sailing & Cruising Association: Kevin Thomas, 07896 745342