The Marblehead Trophy is a prestigious international sailing prize established in 1929 to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Marblehead, Massachusetts. While initially for local boats, it became closely linked to the international Dragon class, with competition moving to Europe in 1952. It operates under a unique challenge system where the winning club organizes the next edition and invites individual sailing clubs to nominate a yacht to challenge for the trophy on theit behalf. In 2025 the trophy was won by Julia and Graham Bailey racing undert the burgee of the Royal Yacht Squadron and it therefore falls to the RYS to host the 2026 edition in the Solent.
CLICK HERE to submit a challenge via the online form. When your club challenge has been accepted please enter using the link below.
For the Official Notice Board, Entries and Regatta Portal please CLICK HERE.
List of Entries as at 3rd April 2026
Deed of Gift
The Marblehead Cup was endowed in 1929 on the occasion of the 300th anniversary of the town of Marblehead, Massachusetts in order to showcase Marblehead’s pride as a sailing capital. Why the Cup itself is boldly engraved “Marblehead Trophy” even though the deed of gift clearly stipulates that the prize is to be known as the “Marblehead Cup” will probably always remain the first mystery of the Cup. In a downright irony of fate, races known as “Marblehead Cups” have been held in the remote-controlled Marblehead class for decades around the world, yet they have nothing to do with our Marblehead Trophy whatsoever. The second mystery, namely why the original engraving on the Marble- head Cup features the year 1649, was easily clarified by Chris Johnston, Chairman of the Historical Commission of the town of Marblehead: The town became independent from Salem only 20 years after the first European settled there in 1629; nevertheless, the 300th anniversary was celebrated in 1929.
