2016 National Sailing League launched at Dinghy Show

Jack Fenwick, RYA Keelboat Development Manager and Angus Prentice, Racing Captain (RTYC) © Ellie New / RYA

The National Sailing League launched for 2016 at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on Saturday 5 March with a presentation to clubs, sailors and the media.

The RYA have partnered with Royal Thames Yacht Club (RTYC) to bring the successful short course, league sailing to the UK, first launched in Germany.

Regional events run across the country will pit clubs against each other, the best in each region will receive an invitation to the National Sailing League Final on the 16-17 July in Cowes.

The best clubs from each region will battle it out to be National Champion and gain the right to compete alongside an RTYC team at the international championships in Sardinia (August).

At the show, the RYA and RTYC gave a presentation on the National Sailing League and how clubs can get involved in an event near them. At least six events are planned across the UK and clubs are encouraged to enter an event near them.

Jack Fenwick, RYA Keelboat Development Manager said: "It was great to be able to speak to dinghy sailors at the show and spark up some keelboat sailing interest.

"We are on the search for the best racing clubs in the country. No matter your age, gender or class this competition offers an equal platform for the best sailors from all corners of our sport to come together and race.

"The great thing about this event is that you do not need your own boat, you can turn up to an event and just go racing in rented boats.

"The presentation at the show was a chance for sailors and clubs to ask questions of the organisers, show their interest in taking part or organising an event," concluded Fenwick.

Royal Thames Yacht Club Racing Captain, Angus Prentice is proud to be supporting an exciting initiative said: "I'm pleased with the presentation, we had a few people here and they seemed interested in the concept, any event like this is about peeking the interest.

"I think we are being reasonably bold in our ambitions. Working with the RYA in developing the League at the right pace will mean we learn from each event, and how we could do it a little bit better at the next event. If we can establish in 2016 around half a dozen clubs that are prepared to host and make the League work in their area, this will work really well and I think this is something we can achieve. We are already on the way, with several clubs signed up and others are very much on the fringe."

2016 Events:

• Royal Northern & Clyde YC Scotland 7/8 May
• Scarborough YC North East 4/5 June
• Port Edgar YC Scotland 18/19 June
• Royal Southern YC South 25/26 June
• Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham East Date TBC
• FINAL – Cowes, 16/17 July