The Cape31 UK Story
What was built in the UK during COVID lockdown became one of the fastest-growing racing fleets in British sailing — a South African design brought home to the Solent, which proceeded to win everything it entered.
The Beginning
Mike and Dave Bartholomew witnessed the Cape31 fleet in South Africa and shipped Tokoloshe III to the Solent in a container. As she started winning IRC races, Dave Swete — Volvo Ocean Race veteran and World Match Racing Champion — fell in love with the boat in October 2020 and decided to build a UK class around it. Together with Dave Bartholomew and Suzy Peters, they set up 31 North Yachting and the UK Class Association.
The Growth
Built during COVID lockdown, the UK fleet went from one boat to the largest high-performance one-design class Cowes Week had seen since the Mumm 30 days. Boats arrived monthly. Teams from the Netherlands and Ireland joined. The class became the heartbeat of Solent racing — with a strong social scene, strict one-design rules and the right kind of competitive atmosphere.
The Expansion
Success bred expansion. UK boats began shipping to the Mediterranean in winter, attracted by the growing Med Circuit. This is a sign of class health, not decline — when your boat fits in a container, the world is your regatta. Some teams now race UK in summer, Med in winter. The UK circuit remains the spiritual home, with more infrastructure and venue partnerships than any other region.
The Opportunity
In 2026, the UK fleet is at an exciting inflection point. The infrastructure is built, the circuit is set, the venues are secured. New owners join a ready-made class — not a startup. Flying Jenny won the Britannia Cup at Cowes Week and back-to-back National Championships. Ben Pritchard went from never having sailed to leading the circuit in his third season. The C31 rewards talent and commitment at every level.
“We're all about matching the fun on the water with fun off the water — and we've taken it back to the yacht clubs. You can get this boat straight out of the box and go and win races. It's about the reward and satisfaction of racing at the highest level — and making sure every owner in the fleet gets to experience that.”