Is Racing Allowed?

The decision re 2+ boats was always going to be common sense.

 

I agree for some venues shoreside is a deal breaking problem, and that self management is the way forward. Other venues may be able to work around it - these could be in demand in 2021!

I am a little worried that some classes/organisations seem to be trying to run a marathon before we've walked around the block. Conservative and considerate is still the message!

There is now no reason whatsoever why we cant start down the path towards near normal club racing.

Where there is a limit, it is dependent upon what clubs can handle shore side. Which again, makes total sense. That is not a specific number, but dependent on the physical capacity and mitigation in place.

Last week we also had some more information on team sports where social distancing cannot be achieved. This could signal the return of competition for teams from different households in the coming weeks. 

Cricket resumed last weekend. The RYA has to submit their plan the PHE for approval. In some ways sailing teams are more risky, in that you spend considerable time within 1m of another person. However, the 'population' of those that you get close to is very small, usually just the one person. So, from that perspective the risk of spreading it to many teammate and opponents is  small. 

I think going forward we're going to have to all do a bit of risk assessment ourselves. What are our risks, what are the risks of the person we are sailing with. And what is the risk to the people we'll have contact with in the days after sailing. 

Obviously this will make those who need instruction directly from Boris very uneasy. 

Team sport guidance https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-guidance-on-phased-return-of-sport-and-recreation/return-to-recreational-team-sport-framework

RYA 'multiple boats racing aren't a gathering (based on DCMS clarification)'. https://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectionDocuments/clubs/COVID%20guidance%20to%20racing.pdf