One week left to enter the RYA Youth National Championships 2013

There is only one week left for sailors to get their entries in for the RYA Youth National Championships – the RYA’s premier youth racing event of 2013.

Competitors have up until 2359hrs on Sunday 17th March to submit their entries – due to the size and complexity of the event entries requested after this date cannot be accepted. To enter online visit the event website.

The event will feature the UK’s most talented sailors joined by teams from visiting nations to battle it out on four race courses, across the six Youth classes in the Firth of Clyde between Monday 1 April and Friday 5 April. The young sailors will not only test their racing skills against top competition but will also have the chance to be crowned 2013 RYA Youth National Champion and be selected to represent RYA Team GBR at a range of International Competitions all over the world.

Among the selection opportunities up for grabs from the event are a host of Class Youth World and European Championship places, as well as selections for RYA Volvo Team GBR, the British Team for the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships which take place in Limassol, Cyprus, between the 13^th-20^th July, and RYA Team GBR for the Eurosaf Youth Sailing European Championship to be held in Tavira, Portugal, from the 3^rd-9^th of August, 2013.

The 2013 venue last welcomed the RYA Youth National Championships back in 2009 and has a strong track record of delivering successful major events, amongst them in 2012, Largs staged a successful 470 European Championships, where Skandia Team GBR’s Sophie Ainsworth and Sophie Weguelin, who recently progressed up through the RYA Youth Racing programme to win silver at the 2007 ISAF Youth Worlds in the 420 class, were crowned European Champions. The Ayrshire based club is a well-established venue and will provide the young competitors with a warm welcome, fun environment and some of the best and most scenic racing water in Europe.

With over 307 sailors from three nations already entered for the 2013 edition of what is regarded as Britain’s premier annual youth sail racing event, organisers are urging sailors to confirm their attendance and submit their on-line entry promptly.

Duncan Truswell, RYA Youth Racing Manager, commented: “The 2013 event looks like it will once again be a fantastic turn out and a great showcase for our sport. Young sailors all over the UK have been training hard all winter for a chance to shine and the Youth Nationals will provide the first glimpses of who is on the pace and likely to be occupying the podiums at International regattas and major Championships across the range of classes. There is still time left for people to get their entries in and take part in what is the country’s premier Youth Sail Racing event.

Tim Hall, RYA Competitions Manager, added: “We have been working closely with the team in Largs and they are looking forward to welcoming sailors, parents and volunteers to the venue to make this a great event. There are some great opportunities for training courses just before the racing starts which parents in particular can take advantage of. There is a National Mark Laying Course and also a Safety Workshop. Both great options to gain experience for people involved in future events. Visit the event website for further details.”

This year Sarah Ayton OBE, who cruised through the RYA Youth Racing ranks to win a silver medal for Great Britain at the ISAF Youth Sailing World Championships in the Laser Radial and then on to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008, will act as Chair of Selectors at this year’s regatta. In addition to Ayton, Britain's International Olympic Committee (IOC) vice-president Sir Craig Reedie, a former chairman of the British Olympic Association (BOA), will also be attending the event up at Largs.

The online entry deadline for the RYA Youth National Championships 2013 is up until 2359hrs on Sunday 17th March - late entries will not be accepted. The Notice of Race has now been published and can be found here.

Racing will be held for boys in Laser Standards, girls and boys in Laser Radials and Neil Pryde RS:X 8.5 windsurfers, and for all-boy, all-girl or mixed crews in 420s, 29ers and Spitfire catamarans.

The RYA Youth Racing programme receives generous support from title sponsor Volvo Car UK and official clothing supplier Henri Lloyd. As part of their support for the annual event Henri Lloyd are sponsoring the Volunteers reception during the regatta and giving away some fantastic prizes during the RYA Youth National Championships. Keep an eye out on Facebook for more information and competition details.

For more information on the 2013 RYA Youth National Championships please visit the event website, ‘Like’ us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

13/3/2013 08:16